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Many first-time orthodontic patients will have questions about various treatment methods, procedures and how their treatment will impact their oral health. Here are 10 commonly asked questions our Village Orthodontics - Yorkville team has received from patients.
1. What is orthodontic treatment, and what does it entail?
Some patients have dental issues that necessitate orthodontic treatment. These can be caused by genetics, injuries or accidents, environmental factors, improper tooth or jaw positioning, or other factors.
Malocclusion is the umbrella term for all of these irregularities, including crooked or crowded teeth, teeth that may be excessively spaced or have gaps between them, and impacted teeth.
The remedy for this is orthodontic treatment, which can help straighten your teeth. Treatment may involve a few different approaches depending on your needs. Your orthodontist will likely recommend one of these options:
- Traditional metal braces
- Clear(ceramic) braces
- Clear aligners
- Retainers
2. Why should I get orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment can help you achieve a healthier bite and a straighter smile. It can also impact your long-term oral health, as straighter teeth are easier to brush, floss and keep clean.
Conversely, crooked teeth can mean you’ll be at a higher risk of developing gum disease or cavities. A bad bite or misaligned jaw can even cause headaches or jaw pain.
Aside from the functional aspects, some people are concerned about the appearance of their teeth. Orthodontic treatment can help improve the symmetry of your smile. You may feel more confident in revealing it by the end of your treatment.
3. Which orthodontic treatment is the best?
Orthodontic treatment is very personal and is customized to an individual’s needs and smile goals. Which orthodontic treatment is best for you will depend on a number of factors, such as the nature of your malocclusion, your current oral health and how much restorative dental work you’ve done previously.
While some people will require braces to correct their misalignment, others may be able to benefit from clear aligners. Personal preference and budget constraints may also influence your decision. Your orthodontist can explain your options, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of various types of braces, clear aligners, and other orthodontic devices.
4. Which orthodontic treatment is the fastest?
Orthodontic treatment is an investment of time and money in achieving your smile goals. Braces or clear aligners can help fix the misalignment of teeth and jaw – and set you on the path to a straighter smile and better oral health.
Here are some tips to ensure your orthodontic treatment goes as quickly and smoothly as possible:
- Follow your orthodontist or orthodontist's instructions and treatment plan on every aspect of your orthodontic care, from oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing to what you can and can’t eat during treatment, to how much you have to wear your appliance.
- Take good care of your teeth. Not only is oral hygiene important, but so is ensuring that your teeth receive the care they require as they change alignment. This means no grinding or biting down hard, as this can increase pressure and wear and tear.
- Attend your scheduled appointments with your orthodontist and/or orthodontist. These give them an opportunity to check in to make sure treatment is progressing as planned, with no obstacles, and to answer any questions and concerns.
5. What’s the ideal age for orthodontic treatment?
In general, the earlier orthodontic treatment can commence, the more efficient it will be.
Where traditionally, orthodontic treatment would begin when patients were 12 to 14 years of age, it’s now recognized that early treatment can be key in resolving orthodontic issues efficiently.
Depending on your child’s orthodontic issue, interceptive treatment may begin between 7 to 11 years old.
Having said that, many people wait until they are adults to begin orthodontic treatment. Whatever your age, as long as your teeth are generally healthy, you could be a candidate for orthodontic treatment! Just keep in mind that orthodontic treatment for adults typically takes longer than it does for children.
6. How long does treatment last, and what will it cost?
The length of your treatment will be determined by several factors, including the nature of your orthodontic problem, the treatment option you and your orthodontist decide is best for you, your age, general health, and your compliance with your custom treatment plan.
Costs will vary depending on the treatment option chosen, the severity of your orthodontic issue, the duration of your treatment and other factors. Your orthodontist or orthodontist can help you weigh treatment options and financing opportunities.
7. If I don’t want traditional braces, what are my options?
Traditional braces aren't the only type of braces used to straighten teeth. Patients now have more treatment options than in the past thanks to advances in orthodontic technology, which range from clear aligners or ceramic braces to lingual braces (which are attached to the back of your teeth).
Depending on the nature of your orthodontic issue, you may also be able to use removable and transparent clear aligners to treat your malocclusion.
8. How often will I have to see an orthodontist while I’m being treated?
How often you’ll need to see an orthodontist will depend on the treatment option you and your orthodontist or orthodontist choose, whether you encounter any obstacles during treatment and other factors.
In general, you'll visit your orthodontist every 4 to 8 weeks for the duration of your treatment with braces. These appointments can range from as little as 20 minutes for checkups to ensure your elastics are in place and to make any necessary adjustments, to as much as an hour for initial and final appointments.
For clear aligners, there are no elastics to adjust so you may be able to go longer between appointments, and see your orthodontist once every 6 to 10 weeks.
9. Can I drink pop while wearing braces?
Whether you have metal, ceramic, or lingual braces, we recommend avoiding carbonated beverages because they can stain the metal brackets on your teeth. The dyes in pop and even juices can stain your teeth and erode enamel.
In addition, a large amount of sugar typically found in these drinks can lead to tooth decay, so in general, we advise avoiding pop entirely, whether you are undergoing orthodontic treatment or not!
10. Will my oral hygiene routine need to change during treatment?
While everyone needs to brush and floss daily and maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent cavities, this goes double if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment so you can make sure you preserve your oral health.
Because bacteria and plaque can get stuck between your teeth and braces or clear aligners, it’s important to be diligent in brushing and flossing your teeth.
Carefully brush and floss around wires and brackets if you have braces, and avoid foods like popcorn, gum, or others that can damage your teeth or appliances.
For clear aligners, you’ll need to brush and floss each time you remove your aligners to eat or drink, and only drink water while you have them in. This is because food and bacteria can become trapped between your clear aligners and teeth.
While it can have an immediate impact on your appearance, tooth decay and plaque buildup can thrive when trapped for hours behind clear aligners. Normally, saliva would wash away some of the food particles, but clear aligners, which fit snugly against your teeth, make this impossible.
It’s important to brush after each meal and floss once per day.