July 19, 2012

5 Things Your Orthodontist Won't Tell You


1.      “I’m not really an orthodontist”
Having braces and teeth aligners has become increasingly popular over the years, so even general dentists have hopped on the bandwagon and have started practicing orthodontics. The problem is that some of them are not board certified and do not have the educational background required to treat patients. Make sure you check your orthodontists’ credentials before signing up for treatment and ask if your orthodontist is board certified.

2.      “All treatment plans vary”

Orthodontics is not an exact science, so every orthodontist will have a different approach to achieve the same result.  There are clear treatment options for common issues, but other issues can be corrected with different treatment options. Question your orthodontists chosen method of treatment and ask for alternative treatment plans if one makes you uncomfortable, for example extracting teeth.

 3.      “Wear your retainers”

Your retainers are your insurance. If you don’t wear them for at least a year after your braces are removed, shifting of your teeth can and will occur in most cases. Some patients will not wear them and try their retainers on months or years after treatment and are surprised when they do not fit. If you have not worn your retainers as instructed, they will not fit because your teeth have shifted and it will cost you for a new set.  Retainers are very expensive to replace and lost or broken retainers are not covered by your insurance, so please keep track of them and wear them!

4.      “Invisalign may not be the right option”


Invisalign is a teeth-alignment system that uses clear, thin, removable aligners to move the teeth, very similar to a retainer. It is less noticeable than metal brackets, and treatment time is typically shorter. The down side is that it can be very expensive, sometimes costing up to 25% more than braces, and is not always the best treatment for most patients. Some orthodontists do not recommend it for complicated treatments, though Invisalign states that orthodontists and dentists who have more experience are starting to use it for increasingly complicated cases. Because Invisalign is removable, it takes diligence to ensure wear of the aligners at all times, so if it isn’t kept in, the teeth are not moving as they should and treatment is not as effective as braces.


5.      “Treatment time can last much longer than scheduled”
At your initial consultation, your orthodontist will give you an estimated length of  treatment time. For most patients, treatment will last 18-24 months on average. That can be extended due to various different issues that may arise during treatment. If a patient misses or reschedules too many appointments, the treatment time will be extended. Other dental issues can cause extended treatment as well, such as oral hygiene, oral surgery procedures, or other major dental work unrelated to braces treatment, or teeth growing in a way that your orthodontist could not have anticipated. Your orthodontist can also underestimate the length of time if it is a complicated case. If he/she does not see that the problem has been corrected, the braces will not be taken off. Try to maintain your regularly scheduled visits and do not miss your appointments! If your orthodontist does not think the braces are ready to come off, trust him and do not push for early removal.



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1 comment:

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