Orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that helps to realign teeth and improve the overall appearance of your smile. It is a multi-step process that involves a variety of treatments and techniques, and it is important to understand the different phases of orthodontic treatment in order to ensure that you get the best results. At your first consultation, your orthodontist will review the position of all your teeth and decide what orthodontic options are available to you. X-rays are an important clinical evaluation tool for orthodontists, as they allow us to see the roots of the teeth and jaw and detect any underlying oral health problems.
If there is a sign of gum disease, it should be treated before applying braces. If the X-ray reveals any teeth stuck in the jaw or problems in the jaw joint, you may need a more complex 3-dimensional X-ray, such as a cone beam scan. During this visit, diagnostic photographs and intraoral scans will also be taken. The information obtained from your consultations and x-rays is used to prepare a detailed treatment plan.
For some patients (generally younger), the orthodontist may recommend that orthodontic treatment begin with expanders. Expanders, suitable only for patients whose palate has not yet fused, allow us to widen the jaw so that the teeth have more room to fit in the larger jaw. Without the use of an expander, the patient will most likely need to have some teeth removed to help with their overcrowding problem. Some patients may need another series of x-rays to check the position of the tooth roots and to help reposition the supports.
All patients go to the orthodontist six, nine and twelve months after using the braces to check their teeth, and then have annual checkups to check that the retainers are still in their correct place and that their teeth are in their correct place. If your wisdom teeth haven't come out yet, X-rays every two years will allow the dentist to check them. An impacted, infected, or erupted wisdom tooth can cause problems and the movement of surrounding teeth. During this retention phase, the jaw will begin to reform and strengthen around the realigned teeth to fully stabilize them in place.
However, you should continue to use the retainer as instructed. Phase I treatment usually takes place between ages 7 and 11 and may include devices that create space in the mouth and correct bite problems while they are still growing. This stage is usually completed early, while patients still have mixed dentition (baby teeth and adult teeth). Removable devices are designed to be used for a certain amount of time each day to accelerate orthodontic treatment. The goal of the second phase is to ensure that each tooth has an exact location in the mouth, where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue and other teeth. One of the benefits of seeing the same orthodontist throughout the treatment is that it allows for continuity in the execution of the plan and helps to minimize time and interruptions in treatment.
If you don't wear a retainer after using Invisalign or braces, your teeth have a natural tendency to return to their previous places, which could lead to a relapse and the need for another round of orthodontic treatment. Treatment at this age may not be necessary, but orthodontic monitoring can help anticipate the ideal schedule for the most effective treatment and also prevent more serious problems in the future. If you have problems with overcrowding and it is determined that you need to have any tooth extractions performed, these will be done in your dentist's office during this phase. Biphasic orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth straightening and physical and facial changes, while the jaw and other bones grow rapidly. At the beginning of this phase, orthodontic registrations were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan was established.
Orthodontic records will be needed to determine what type of appliances should be used, how long treatment will take, and how often visits should occur. Knowing what each phase involves can help make your orthodontic treatment experience as smooth and effective as possible. Whatever type of appliance is used, your orthodontist will adjust it regularly to ensure that adequate pressure is applied to your teeth. The main goal of orthodontic treatment is to properly align your teeth and bite so you can have a beautiful straight smile.
