Orthodontic treatment is more than just getting braces or clear aligners. It is a comprehensive dental specialty that focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or a loved one, understanding the full process can help you make informed decisions and feel confident throughout your orthodontic journey.
What Happens:
The first step in orthodontic treatment is an initial consultation with an orthodontist. During this visit, the doctor evaluates your oral health, discusses your concerns, and determines whether you need orthodontic treatment.
Includes:
Visual oral examination
Review of dental and medical history
X-rays or 3D scans
Photographs of teeth and face
Impressions or digital scans of teeth
Purpose:
To understand your specific dental issue, whether it’s crowding, gaps, overbite, underbite, crossbite, or jaw misalignment.
What Happens:
Based on the findings from your initial exam and diagnostics, your orthodontist creates a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Includes:
Timeline of the treatment
Type of appliances needed (braces, aligners, expanders, etc.)
Estimated costs and financing options
Expected outcomes
Purpose:
To provide you with a roadmap of your treatment journey and align your expectations with the final results.
Types of Appliances:
A. Braces
Metal Braces: Traditional, durable, effective for complex cases.
Ceramic Braces: Tooth-colored, less visible, slightly more fragile.
Lingual Braces: Placed behind the teeth, completely hidden.
B. Clear Aligners (e.g., Invisalign)
Removable, virtually invisible trays
Ideal for mild to moderate alignment issues
C. Other Appliances
Palatal Expanders: Widen the upper jaw
Headgear: Adjusts jaw alignment and tooth positioning
Retainers: Maintain teeth position post-treatment
Procedure:
Brackets are bonded to teeth (for braces)
Archwires and elastics are installed
For aligners, initial trays are given along with instructions
What Happens:
This is the longest phase of treatment, where the orthodontic appliance gradually moves your teeth into the correct position.
Includes:
Regular follow-up visits (usually every 4–8 weeks)
Adjustments to wires, brackets, or aligner trays
Monitoring tooth and jaw movement
Duration:
Average treatment time is 12–24 months, depending on complexity
Purpose:
To apply continuous, gentle pressure to reposition teeth and align the jaws properly.
Key Practices:
Maintain excellent oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, mouthwash)
Follow dietary restrictions (avoid sticky/hard foods with braces)
Wear rubber bands or additional appliances as instructed
Report any discomfort or issues (broken brackets, pain)
What Happens:
Once the desired tooth alignment is achieved, the orthodontic appliance is removed.
For braces: brackets and wires are carefully taken off
For aligners: no removal process needed, just transition to retainers
Experience:
Typically painless, may involve minor polishing or cleaning
A mold or scan is taken to create a retainer
Importance:
This is a critical phase to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions.
Types of Retainers:
Removable Retainers: Worn mostly at night
Fixed Retainers: Thin wire bonded behind teeth
Duration:
Varies, often indefinite for nighttime wear
Conclusion
Orthodontic treatment is a transformative journey that involves several stages—each playing a vital role in achieving a healthier, straighter smile. From your first consultation to the retention phase, your orthodontist guides you through every step, using science and precision to enhance both function and aesthetics.
If you’re considering orthodontic care, schedule a consultation with a qualified orthodontist to begin your path to a confident, beautiful smile.
- April 18, 2025