Orthodontic treatment is a type of care that can help you or your child achieve a straighter, better-aligned smile. It often involves young adults or minors, requires greater long-term compliance than other treatments, and the patient is often involved in decision-making (parents, custodians). To understand what orthodontic treatment entails and how it works, it is important to know what to expect during the process. The first step of the journey is to perform an initial evaluation. The purpose of this initial visit is simply to learn more about you and your teeth.
We will examine your teeth, gums, bones and your smile and ask you some questions so that we can understand what you hope to achieve with treatment. After our exam, we will be able to explain to you what problems may arise and when is the best time to address them. Usually, we'll take some pictures of the teeth and maybe also some x-rays to help make the best choices for you or your child. This evaluation helps us begin to develop a personalized treatment plan. We look at not only why braces are needed, but also the overall health of the mouth.
In this consultation, we take the time necessary to learn about your goals and what you want to achieve with orthodontic appliances. You will be examined every four to six weeks during treatment. At each appointment, your elastics will be changed. Sometimes, you'll get a different size cable. In addition, brackets can be placed on newly emerging teeth or in a different position depending on how the teeth move. If orthodontic treatment isn't something you want to do right away, it can be helpful to figure out what it would entail and what options you might have for the future.
If treatment is not recommended at that time, we will normally keep the patient under review and may re-evaluate him as time goes on. Clear aligners, a modern type of orthodontic appliance, apply gentle pressure to the teeth to create a straighter, better-aligned smile. Recognizing this group of patients at an early stage of treatment is essential, as these patients may have unreasonable expectations and dentists should clearly indicate what can and cannot be achieved with orthodontics. The case group was assigned brochures with information on orthodontic treatment, from which patients were expected to gain basic knowledge related to the treatment, procedures and benefits of treatment. Based on current research, both parents and children (patients) appear to have basic knowledge and practical expectations about orthodontic treatment. Currently, the role of expectations in orthodontic treatment or of relevant treatment factors, such as patient satisfaction, is not being investigated. To answer these questions, a systematic literature review was conducted to critically examine current research on the role of patient expectations in orthodontic treatment. So I thought I'd give you a quick explanation today to help you understand how everything works and what orthodontic treatment really entails.
Orthodontic treatment can help you or your child achieve a straighter smile with long-term results. It is important to understand what is expected from this type of care so that you can make an informed decision about whether it is right for you or your child.
