What happens at the first consultation?

When you arrive for your consultation you will have to go through several procedures to gather all the relevant information to help the dentist decide what sort of brace would be best for you; this means photographs, x-rays, and dental impressions have to be taken. All these processes help the dentist to build an overall picture of your dental condition – including a 3D model of your teeth that shows how the jaws come together. You will also have a chance to discuss what you don’t like about your teeth and how you would like to improve them. The first consultation is usually split into two separate appointments, which allows the dentist to consider a treatment plan and the possible orthodontic options that might be suitable for you. There is normally two to three weeks between the appointments.

At the second half of the consultation, your dentist will discuss the appliances that might work in your case, given the position of your teeth. You will be shown examples of the braces that could be effective and the price should also be mentioned at the earliest opportunity so that you are aware of the financial implications of orthodontic treatment. Although consultations are not always free to attend, it might be an idea to arrange more than one at several clinics around your local area; this could help you get a feel for the process and then you can decide what you would like to do, based on several professional opinions.

Both halves of the consultation will typically be around half an hour each, which is ample time to provide all the information and talk through your case in detail. Your dentist should not pressure you into going ahead with any treatment and it is often advisable to take some time out to think about your options before making your final decision. This is usually a costly treatment, so it’s not a good idea to make snap decisions when you do not have all the relevant information to hand – you might also wish to take a look at your finances to be sure that you can afford to pay for your dental work.

What about the fitting appointment?

After the first consultation has been completed, you will be called back to the surgery to have the first aligner fitted. The dentist may have to attach small metal ‘buttons’ to the teeth that are extremely crooked, which should be matched to the shade of the enamel so that they are not obvious when the teeth are on show. You will be shown how to fit the aligner and then remove it so that you can take it out to eat and clean your teeth properly. It may be slightly difficult to take the aligner out to begin with because it will be tighter around the teeth but as the treatment progresses you will get used to removing and replacing it regularly during the day.

The fitting appointment should not be a complicated process and should take no longer than fifteen or twenty minutes to complete, depending on how many metal buttons have to be attached to the teeth. Your dentist should also provide you with all the right information to help you look after your teeth and your braces properly; a storage box will be included in your aftercare package so that you can take care of the aligners and avoid problems with loss or breakage. It might seem like a small aspect of the process but if you lose or break one of your braces you will have to wait a couple of weeks for a new one to be manufactured, which would certainly slow the treatment down.

How often will I be expected to attend follow-up appointments?

This can vary from clinic to clinic but generally speaking, you will be expected to attend check-ups every six to eight weeks to give the dentist a chance to check that everything is going to plan and to look for any signs of decay or disease that might be affecting the teeth. This will also give you the opportunity to voice any concerns you may have about your treatment; if you require another appointment between scheduled check-ups you can always arrange another booking to get your teeth assessed. It is vital that you stay in contact with your dentist during the orthodontic treatment process, if you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment you should let your dentist know as soon as possible so that the booking can be rearranged for a more convenient time. It’s not a good idea to simply skip check-ups because your dentist needs to regularly monitor your progress to make sure that everything is going smoothly.

You will also be provided with several sets of aligners so that you swap the braces at home when each appliance has performed to capacity, but this doesn’t mean you can avoid speaking to your dentist on a regular basis. Although this might seem like an inconvenience to begin with you have to be prepared to put in the effort if you want to get the best out of your braces for the duration of your treatment. If you have some problems with your braces, such as damage or loss, you should get in touch with your dentist as soon as you can because you need to have another aligner created to continue the movement. It could take two to three weeks for another brace to be manufactured, during which time you will probably have to wear the previous device to make sure that the teeth do not relapse too substantially.

If you are interested in getting orthodontic treatment using clear braces, you should make an appointment with our Dental Clinic; this surgery can provide all types of brace systems to improve your teeth and give you a smile you can be proud of. Contact the Cochran clinic today to make a booking and start the treatment process soon.