Orthodontics an Overview

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry dealing with irregularities of the teeth and concerned with the treatment of improper bites as means of braces or invisalign.  Orthodontic treatment can help fix the patient’s teeth and set them in the right place.

Types of Braces and Appliances

Step by Step Process of Braces

1. Consultation Visit

​​Doctor will do an evaluation of the patient and determine the following:

• need of orthodontic treatment
• what type of treatment
• an approximate of how long the treatment is going to last

In this appointment we will also take pictures and a Panoramic and Ceph X-Rays. 30-45 minutes

2. Initial Bonding

Doctor will place the brackets on the patient and the spacers (the spacers will make room for the bands). In this appointment we will also take impressions to do Orthodontic models.If the spacers come out, patient will have to return to re-place them.This appointment can be schedule as soon as possible after the Consultation visit and patient has to have the Dentist Letter stating that the patient is caries free and had their cleaning within the last 6 months.1.5 hours

3. Banding

Doctor will take out the spacers and place the bands
By this appointment patient must have hade their extractions done if they were needed.
If extractions were not done, then we cannot place the wire. This appointment is done 1-2 weeks after the Initial Bonding visit.
1 hour

4. Adjustment visit

These appointments are done after the Banding visit and will be scheduled every 4-weeks.
This is normally the only type of appointment that will be scheduled from this point on until the Deband visit (this appointment is to remove the braces).
30 minutes

5. Deband Visit

This appointment is to remove the braces.
In this appointment we will remove the braces and provide the patient with retainers.
1 hour

6. Final Records Visit

In this appointment the patient will come to take final pictures, final X-rays and final models.
In this appointment we will also check if the retainers are fitting properly.
This appointment is done 2-4 weeks after the Deband visit.
30 minutes
Step by Step Process of Invisalign

1. Consultation

• First appointment will be a consultation with the doctor to determine if the patient needs orthodontic treatment and if Invisalign is a viable option.
• Pictures and X-Rays will be taken and evaluated in this appointment.
• This appointment will last approximately 30 minutes.

2. Impression Visit

• Upper and lower impressions(procedure to do molds of your teeth) will be taken in order to be submitted to Invisalign.
• This appointment can be done anytime after the Consultation Visit.
• This appointment will last approximately 1 hour

3. Delivery of Aligners Visit

• Invisalign aligners will be delivered and attachments placed on teeth. A limited number of aligners will be given to the patient. Patient will wear each aligner per doctor’s instructions (usually 2-3 weeks).
• This appointment is approximately 2-3 weeks after the Impression Visit. Patient will return to the office in 4-6 weeks after this visit to check the progress of the previous aligners and receive the following aligners.
• This appointment will last approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour

4. Adjustment Visit

• Progress of the Invisalign aligners of the previous visit will be checked and new aligners will be given to the patient.
• This appointment is approximately 4-6 weeks after the Delivery of Aligners Visit. These type of appointments will be the ones schedule until the Deband Visit.
• This appointment will last approximately 30 minutes.

5. Deband Visit

• In this appointment no more aligners will be delivered. Evaluation of results will be done. In this appointment we will also determine if a Case Refinement Stage will be necessary.
• If Case Refinement is necessary, new impressions will be taken to be submitted to Invisalign to correct minor discrepancies.
• If Case Refinement is not needed, impressions will be taken to fabricate retainers.

This appointment will last approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.