Curious as to what to expect before and after your first orthodontic consultation? Feeling nervous and a bit unsure about the whole process? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. It’s normal to feel a little anxious before commencing any new dental procedure, including orthodontics. If you’ve been Googling, ‘where to find an orthodontist near me’, then the search is over. At Sydney Road Dental Care, we understand that you’re likely to feel a little anxious before commencing any new dental procedure, including orthodontics. That’s why we’ve developed a simple and streamlined orthodontic treatment process and will work collaboratively with you to arrange a suitable treatment plan that fits your individual needs. Our friendly and professional team are always happy to answer any questions you may have, as well as help allay any potential concerns about your treatment and ensure that your first orthodontic consultation is a comfortable one. Here’s a summary of what you can expect both before and after your first consultation at Sydney Road Dental Care.
When you arrive at the clinic
On arrival at our dental clinic, you will be warmly greeted by our friendly staff. You’ll be asked to complete some medical history forms — these need to be as accurate as possible to allow our team to devise the most appropriate treatment plan for your situation. Once the forms are complete, you’ll then be able to see the clinician.
Your initial orthodontic consultation
During the initial consultation, your clinician will talk you through the orthodontic treatment process. This will include information on the fitting of braces and what will occur during follow-up consultations and treatments. As part of this initial orthodontic consultation, we may take some photographs of your face and teeth to include with our pre-treatment records, and to help us assess your facial profile and symmetry. Our staff members will make sure that you are as comfortable as possible during this process. Along with photos, we may also need to perform some x-rays. Again, we will ensure that you are as comfortable as possible while this is happening.
Your questions answered
Once all records — including your medical history forms, photos and x-rays — are in place, the clinician will sit with you to discuss any particular concerns you may have about your teeth and smile. Any and all questions can be answered at this time (don’t be shy!), so it may be a good idea to come to your orthodontist appointment prepared with a list of questions. After having the consultation with you, the clinician will decide on the best treatment option for you. It may be recommended that orthodontic treatment be commenced immediately, or we may advise that treatment is delayed. The recommendation to delay will normally be given if the patient is too young to start this type of treatment. If it is agreed to commence treatment, the clinician will outline your personalised treatment plan.
Your individual treatment plan
After assessing your individual needs, taking into account the desired outcomes of your treatment, the clinician will prepare a treatment plan that is just right for you. It is important to note at this stage that the length and total orthodontic cost of your treatment will depend on the complexity of your particular case, along with what issues need to be corrected. On average, treatment times will range from 12-24 months, with natural variations causing some treatments to be closer to 24 months. Other treatment options including Invisalign or a full mouth rehabilitation package may also be recommended. If it is decided that you’ll go ahead with orthodontic treatment, you can make a booking for your first treatment appointment.
Your first treatment appointment
Your first braces consultation, also known as your banding appointment, is the appointment in which your braces are fitted. After each bracket is individually applied to the surface of every tooth, wires and modules are placed in order to apply pressure and begin the teeth movement process. After this appointment, you can expect some soreness — this is due to the new experience of movement for your teeth. It is a good idea to take paracetamol or ibuprofen prior to having your braces fitted, as well as the day after to prevent any discomfort. You may find however that this is not required — it is purely a personal choice.
Follow-up adjustment appointments
Once your braces have been applied, you will need to attend follow-up appointments in order to have the braces adjusted and tightened. These appointments are spaced between 6 to 8 weeks apart, and will be closer to 8 weeks in interval once spacing is reduced near the end of treatment. The purpose of these appointments is to progress the treatment forward, in order for the teeth to be straightened and corrected further.
Removal of your braces
Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, it will be time to have your braces removed. This phase is usually referred to as “deband and retention”, and involves having all braces and cement removed from your teeth. During this phase, you will also be given a combination of fixed and removable retainers (all included as part of your treatment plan) in order to maintain your new, even smile.
How to know if orthodontics is the best treatment option
As well as providing a traditional way to straighten teeth, braces can also correct such issues as crowded or crooked teeth, underbites and overbites, cross bites, and spacing issues. As your trusted Sydney orthodontist, we’ll work with you to decide on the best treatment option for your particular issue.
Other treatment options
Invisalign is a common alternative to traditional orthodontics, allowing you to straighten your smile without the look of braces. Invisalign corrects many similar issues to that of traditional braces, without some of the drawbacks. Another option may be porcelain veneers. In some cases, veneers are able to correct minor dental misalignments. As well as being a possible alternative to braces, veneers are also sometimes used following orthodontic treatment. You may also like to consider professional teeth whitening. If you’re unsure of the most suitable treatment for your individual needs, speak to us about our range of cosmetic dentistry services. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have on our general dental services. At Sydney Road Dental Care, your smile is our priority!