Having that perfect smile is something that many, if not all, people wish to have. Not only does it add to one’s physical appeal, but it also has a huge impact on one’s self-esteem. That’s why people would go to great lengths to achieve their dream smile. Fortunately, it’s not too far a reality, especially with orthodontic services such as Colorado Orthodontics, https://www.coortho.com/.
One of the options you can look into is dental braces, which are primarily used for correcting teeth alignment. Your orthodontist can give you a custom treatment plan to get you the desired results within the most ideal timeline. If it’s your first time coming in for dental braces, here are some of the things you should expect.
First Consultation: Measurements and Molds
Getting dental braces is not a simple matter of attaching the metal brackets to your teeth. It takes diagnosis and analysis, as well as regular maintenance to ensure that the brackets are configured correctly.
To achieve this, your first consultation would involve getting your mouth measurements done. Using a dental mold, your orthodontist will get your teeth imprints so that they can have an accurate copy of the shape of your mouth and the position of your teeth. Alongside that would be the dental x-ray, which is important for determining your teeth’s alignment, and if there are any possible obstructions, such as an impacted tooth that you may not know about as of yet.
Installation
Once your measurements have been taken, and your orthodontist has figured out a bespoke treatment plan for your treatment, it’s time to get ready for the installation. In certain cases, tooth extraction may be necessary to make space for the movement of the rest of the teeth.
Once the brackets are glued to each other, they are then connected with a metal wire that runs from one side of the mouth, usually locked into a band around the molar, all the way to the other side. This wire is then held in place with elastic bands. More than keeping these implements in place, however, these elastic bands actually control how much pressure will be applied on each bracket, therefore also controlling how much movement the tooth will make.
Maintenance and Adjustments
Once you have your braces completely attached, it’s you’ll keep it on until the alignment is complete. This means that you will have to get used to wearing it 24/7. When the elastic bands are newly adjusted, you may find it difficult to open your mouth because it is too tight. That is why it is recommended to eat only soft foods, at least for the first few days.
Brushing your teeth may seem trickier too because there are a lot more nooks and crannies to take care of. There are special toothbrushes made especially for braces, however, so that should make it easier for you.
Also, keep in mind that you will have to regularly visit with your orthodontist to change the elastics and make adjustments. This way, they can make sure that the calibration of the braces is working correctly in terms of improving your teeth alignment.
All of these are part of the process of getting dental braces. Your trusted orthodontist should be able to further help you prepare for what you need and how to achieve your desired outcome.