4 October 2022 | Dr. Frédéric Lavoie
No miracle recipe exists when it comes to orthodontic treatments. Each client requires personalized care according to their own personal needs, since all mouths are unique. There are, however, a few steps that are essential and repeat themselves. Don’t forget that those treatments are not only for your smile but also for your general oral health that might be affected by diseases like tooth decay, gum disease, crooked teeth and other dental problems.
The following article will briefly describe each of these phases.
The course of an orthodontic treatment
To establish an appropriate treatment plan for each patient, a few steps are essential for the dentists and orthodontists in order to determine the type of problem and then establish the necessary orthodontic care you need.
The initial consultation
A first consultation is necessary before starting a process that will allow you to find a harmonious smile thanks to an alignment of the teeth. This step is crucial to properly determine the treatment options available to you.
For this meeting, you should expect to have a panoramic X-ray taken, complete a medical questionnaire and undergo a clinical examination.
A clear plan will be drawn up indicating the stages of the proposed treatment. You will then need to make the decision whether or not to go ahead with the most appropriate treatment for your case.
You will also discuss which product or operation might be used for the correction: upper and lower jaw surgery, traditional braces and others might be proposed by the orthodontist.
Preparation
This step generally includes taking dental impressions to allow the specialist to determine which movements of the teeth and jaws are doing and if it needs correction.
The most complex cases may require more general dental extractions or extractions of wisdom teeth before the installation of the chosen type of appliances.
Fitting orthodontic appliances
Following the preparation phase, the orthodontic specialist installs the necessary correction appliances that best meet the patient’s needs. Several choices of appliances are available depending on the position of the teeth and the type of malocclusion to be corrected.
Monthly follow
This is the longest part of the treatment. Each patient must come to the clinic to meet with their orthodontist on a regular basis in order to ensure that the treatment is progressing well and to keep you informed of progress. It is during this stage that you will see changes in your smile!
It is usually towards the end of this stage that oral and maxillofacial surgery is performed, if necessary.
Device Removal and Retention Phase
Device removal is the most anticipated phase for customers. When your orthodontist determines that your teeth are in their optimal position, they remove your appliance.
To prevent unwanted movements of your teeth, a wire or retainer will be offered. It is essential to follow the recommendations of the orthodontist in terms of retention to ensure the longevity of your beautiful smile and reduce the risk of dental recurrence.
Orthodontic Costs
The medical costs of orthodontic treatment are spread over the duration of the treatment, without interest, according to the payment methods of your choice. It is interesting to know that, depending on your insurance company, you can save some costs related to your treatment.
Several study models are available to help you learn more about the different treatments offered by orthodontists.