What to expect on your next visits
Your sequence of appointments following the initial consultation with the orthodontist;
Records Appointment
In order for the orthodontist to develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient, information, or records, must be gathered as the next step to getting braces.
Taking Orthodontic records includes the following three components:
- Dental impressions of upper and lower teeth and gums
- X-Rays of teeth and jaws (Panoramic) and of head (Cephalometric)
- Digital photos of patient's face and teeth
Consultation Appointment
This data is used to formulate a personalised treatment plan to suit your needs. We discuss in detail your treatment plan. Using computer software we show you what kind of braces we will use and how we apply them to your teeth.
We shall give you an exact cost on your treatment and a payment plan. This final figure will not change regardless of how long your treatment takes. This appointment lasts about thirty minutes.
Having your braces fitted
After the orthodontist discusses the individualized treatment plan, you are now ready to get your braces! (Following Separators and Banding if needed) For most patients, this is the appointment where the doctor places the braces on the teeth and a wire is secured into the braces. At this time, we will discuss the importance of proper care of the teeth and braces. This appointment may last up to one hour.
Some orthodontic problems require additional appliances to help achieve our goal of a beautiful smile. If the doctors plan to use an additional appliance, a separator will be placed one week prior to the placement of orthodontic bands. A separator, which is a small rubber band, will be inserted between the back teeth and will allow for easier placement of the bands.
Adjustment Appointments
Once the braces are in place, you will visit our office to review your treatment progress at intervals of 4-8 weeks, depending on your specific needs. At these appointments, a number of different procedures might be done in order to assure the continued progress of your treatment. This includes the placement of new wires, the use of rubber bands, and the review of home care instructions. These appointments tend to be about twenty minutes.
Debanding
Upon completion of treatment, the braces will be removed and post-treatment models are completed. Retainers are then made to hold the teeth in place and are usually fitted later on the same day your braces are removed.
Retainers
Teeth move in all individuals throughout life, whether they have orthodontic treatment or not. Retainers are appliances fitted following the removal of your braces to hold your teeth in the newly corrected position and keep any movement to a minimum.
Retention is an essential part of your treatment. Retention may be removable, fixed or a combination of both.
We usually fit a removable clear retainer which is virtually invisible. This fits snugly around your teeth. We shall ask you to wear it full-time for an initial period, followed by a period of night-time wear. We sometimes fit a fixed retainer which is a custom made wire fitted behind your teeth.
At Dublin Orthodontics we fit your retainers the same day your braces are removed. Your braces may be removed in the morning and your retainers fitted in the afternoon. This same day fit is not common place in orthodontic practices but we find it reduces the chance of your teeth moving in this initial period. At Dublin Orthodontics we can provide this great service as we have an in-house lab at all our locations with our own technicians on site.
We also provide you with a spare retainer (included in the cost of your treatment), so if you do lose your retainer you don’t have to worry about your teeth relapsing.
We will direct you on how to care for your retainer and about the duration of wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent your teeth relapsing. If you don’t wear your retainer as directed your teeth will move.
We see all of our patients for one year after the removal of braces to check that their teeth are in their wonderful corrected position.
Appointment policy
Fitting Orthodontics into Your Schedule
We understand that orthodontic treatment can interfere with important obligations that you have during the day, including work and school. We have tried to design treatment methods in order to minimize our appointment times and intervals between visits to allow fewer conflicts with your schedule.
During your orthodontic care, there will be different types of appointments that are needed. Depending on which type of appointment is needed, a different appointment length will be required. Some of your appointments can be scheduled at times which are more convenient to your busy schedule. However, every patient will have a few longer appointment times, which include putting the braces on and taking them off. We schedule these infrequent longer appointment times in the morning. This allows us to offer the majority of your appointments at the most popular times.
Our schedule is carefully crafted to allow our patients the time needed to continually progress with treatment. In fairness to other patients, we need you to arrive on time for your appointment. We want to have adequate time during each appointment to do the necessary procedures and to answer questions about your treatment progress. In the rare circumstance that you would arrive late, we may find it necessary to reschedule your appointment in order to give you the time that you deserve for your appointment.
At Dublin Orthodontics, we utilize state of the art technology and treatment methods that straighten teeth efficiently and require fewer visits to our office. We are committed to providing you with the best orthodontic service and to making your treatment as convenient as possible.
Rescheduling Appointments
We ask at least 48 hours notice to reschedule an appointment, as we set aside time to accommodate your specific needs. Our goal is to continually progress with your treatment. Missed appointments or numerous appointment changes will inevitably result in an extension of your treatment time.
