The Process of Getting Braces – Allen, TX
Getting Started on Your Orthodontic Journey
Here at Allen Orthodontics, our team believes in providing clear and straightforward information to patients. We know that one of the biggest questions on many patients’ minds when they are contemplating orthodontic treatment is, “What is the process?” Understanding the steps ahead of you can help you to move forward with confidence. On this page, we explain the basics steps that you can expect to go through as you are getting started on your orthodontic journey.
Scheduling a Consultation
The first step on any orthodontic treatment plan is a consultation. When you first visit our practice, your orthodontist will thoroughly examine your teeth, jaw, and facial structures in order to understand your unique needs. We may also take some X-rays in order to understand what is happening beneath your gumline. Feel free to ask questions — we want all of our patients to feel well-informed.
After we finish gathering relevant information, we can talk to you about your treatment options.
Customizing Your Treatment Plan
After your initial examination is complete, your orthodontist will formulate your custom treatment plan. It will be designed to address your unique needs. For example, it may aim to correct overcrowding, close gaps between your teeth, correct a misaligned bite, or improve the aesthetics of your smile.
Because your smile is unique, your treatment plan may be quite different from that of your fellow patients. For example, one person may need metal braces, whereas another may be a candidate for clear aligners. You may also need different accessories than someone else.
Part of the customization process also involves taking impressions of your teeth to show you how your treatment will work to fix the specific issues that are afflicting your smile.
Placing Your Braces
If you are getting braces, be sure to allow plenty of time for your placement appointment. Attaching braces to the teeth requires a series of steps:
- First, our team will thoroughly clean your teeth and condition them. This may take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
- Next, we will prime the teeth for the dental cement that will bond your brackets onto your teeth. We then carefully attach the brackets.
- Finally, a wire is threaded through the brackets. Your orthodontist will have to make sure the wire is cute to a precise length and then bent properly to ensure that it has maximum leverage and can move your teeth efficiently.
Making Necessary Adjustments
After your braces are in place, you will need to visit us periodically for necessary adjustments. The wire that is threaded through your brackets will need to be tightened and adjusted to ensure that your teeth continually move in the right direction. From time to time, you may need an entirely new wire.
We will closely monitor the progress of your teeth with the goal of ensuring that your treatment stays on track. If you run into any unexpected issues while you are undergoing orthodontic care, we will address such problems as quickly as possible.