What to Anticipate From Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on improving the function and appearance of a person’s teeth and jaws. When teeth and the tissues that support them must be repositioned, orthodontics frequently involves using light pressure maintained throughout the procedure.

Continue reading if you’re considering getting orthodontic treatment in Whittier CA to enhance the look of your smile. This guide walks you through the orthodontic treatment, starting with the first step and concluding with the final.

Orthodontics: All you need to know

Nearly all dentists and oral health professionals prescribe orthodontic therapy when clients have malocclusions (bad bites). An orthodontist will propose one or more of the following treatments based on the type and severity of the patient’s condition:

• Braces straighten the teeth by putting pressure on them precisely, gently, and steadily.
• Power chains and rubber bands are sometimes used with braces to make them work better.
• Clear aligners are made-to-measure, see-through trays that are put over the teeth and work like braces.
• Retainers are worn after braces or aligners have been used to straighten the teeth. They keep the teeth from moving back to their old, less appealing positions. Retainers are worn after braces or aligners have straightened the teeth.
• Orthodontic face masks and headgear guide the growth of the upper or lower jaws and change their shape simultaneously.
• Palatal expanders, which are tools that change the shape of the upper jaw and help it grow.
• Orthotic surgery may be able to fix a broken jaw or other problems with the jaw.
• Targeted anchoring devices are becoming more common, which work like tiny dental implants but are only meant to be worn for a limited time and put concentrated pressure on specific teeth.

1. Initial consultation

At this point, the patient said they were interested in getting orthodontic treatment. The orthodontist will ask questions to determine daily how the patient lives with their malocclusion. In addition, the patient’s mouth will be looked at. Last but not least, the orthodontist will look at the patient’s dental records, which the patient should bring to the first consultation to get the most out of the appointment.

2. Patient assessment

After that, the orthodontist will complete an examination to get a full view of the teeth and the structures that support them. Medical imaging tests like Digital X-rays and CT scans could be part of the examination. The information from the patient’s exam helps the orthodontist make a personalized treatment plan.

3. Creating a plan for the treatment

Now, the orthodontist decides which orthodontic procedures will be most helpful for their patient. Then, they make a chart of the changes they think will happen to a patient’s bite throughout treatment. As a part of the overall treatment plan, the orthodontist may sometimes suggest tooth extraction or corrective surgery. They could schedule the surgery for the beginning of the treatment or do it anywhere in the middle.

4. The making and customizing of orthodontic appliances

When the orthodontist has decided what kind of treatment the patient will get, the next step is to make a mold, or imprint, of the person’s teeth. The mold is the basis for the patient’s personalized orthodontic appliance. Then, using an impression of the patient’s teeth, a dental technician will make a device that fits securely over the patient’s teeth.

After that, the orthodontic specialist will put the final result on the patient’s teeth. Then, they will tell the person how to go about their daily life with an orthodontic device in their mouth.

5. Keeping an eye on orthodontic tools and adjusting them as needed

As the treatment starts to work, the orthodontist will keep an eye on how the patient’s teeth are changing and make adjustments as needed. This stage is ongoing and won’t be over until the teeth and jaws are in the best possible position for alignment. When the teeth have ultimately settled into their new positions, and there is no longer any chance that they will move back to their old positions, the orthodontist will say that the orthodontic treatment is over. 

To get the best treatment, there are numerous dentists near Whittier CA. 

GIVE US A CALL!

Are you looking for Orthodontic treatment in Whittier, CA? Call Brian Choi, DMD in Whittier, CA for a free consultation by calling (562) 271-5218 or emailing us at info@whittierdentaloffice.com, we’re located at 13318 Bailey St, Whittier, CA 90601, United States. Request an appointment with us right away!