Questions to Ask Your Orthodontist Before Treatment

Starting orthodontic treatment feels a little different to most of our patients. Some patients are excited about the potential changes and the prospect of a beautiful smile. Other times we meet patients who are fearful of dental treatment and nervous about orthodontic care. Usually, our patients fall somewhere in the middle of the two extremes.

Here at Oasis Orthodontics, we understand that choosing your orthodontic treatment is an important decision. We want you to feel confident about the choices you make and are always happy to talk with you to alleviate concerns and answer your questions.

Frequently, when we ask patients if they have any questions about the treatment or any of the details involved in the procedure, the patient is not sure what they want to ask. Sometimes they may have forgotten the questions they had in mind. To help patients get the information they need here is a list of typical questions that we hear. Of course, if you have other questions to ask, please feel free to speak up and find out whatever you need to know about your orthodontic experience.

1. Why Do I Need Orthodontic Treatment?

Many patients believe that orthodontic treatment is only for cosmetic reasons and that there is nothing else they can gain from this type of care. While it is true that orthodontics improves the look of your smile, this is not the only benefit from the treatment. Here are some added benefits of orthodontics:

• Make teeth easier to care for and keep healthy- When your teeth are not aligned properly, bacteria grow in the spaces which are difficult to brush and floss. Over time, this leads to a build-up of tartar. A collection of tartar typically results in gum disease, cavities, or tooth loss.
• Reduce or eliminate tooth and jaw pain- Misaligned teeth often cause painful bite patterns because your teeth are not functioning as they should.
• Save tooth enamel- Your teeth need the outer layer of enamel to protect the inner layers of your teeth. Teeth that are misaligned tend to wear unevenly or may experience excessive wear depending on the positioning of the teeth.
• Correct speech problems- Some patients experience difficulty speaking properly because of their malocclusion.

2. What Are My Treatment Options?

At one time, orthodontic patients had little choice about the type of treatment they received. For decades, metal braces were the standard treatment used in orthodontics. New developments in the field give orthodontic patients more options than ever.

• Clear Aligners – Patients often ask about the effectiveness of clear plastic aligners. The aligners continue to become more advanced and successfully treat the majority of orthodontic issues effectively and often quicker than other methods.
• Incognito Braces – This type of orthodontic treatment is on the inside of your mouth, pressed against the inner side of your teeth. These braces are useful and popular with adults who prefer to have their braces unseen.
• Ceramic Braces – The ceramic braces are sometimes called invisible braces but do not confuse them with the clear or invisible aligners. Ceramic braces attach to the front of your teeth, just as wired braces. The most significant difference between the two kinds of braces is the ceramic material matches the colour of your teeth. Additionally, wires and bands are also either tooth-coloured or clear. These braces are incredibly useful and are significantly harder to notice than metal braces.

3. What is Your Training?

Upon completion of a dental degree and at least two years practising as a dentist, prospective orthodontists must complete an additional three years of full-time education in an accredited University at Masters level.

4. Which Treatment Do You Suggest for Me?

The answer to this question often will depend on the expectations of your orthodontic treatment. It is vital for you and your orthodontist to be on the same page regarding your treatment goals and how to achieve them. We find it to be true with most medical treatments, the more detailed information you share, the better the treatment results.

In some cases, a particular treatment may not be able to provide the desired result. Our staff saw this frequently occur when the clear aligners first became available. The aligners, as well as many other orthodontic treatments, improved with advances in technology, and there are fewer limits on the kinds of treatments available for our patients.

5. How Long Will My Orthodontic Treatment Last?

There is no hard rule dictating the length of time a patient will require to complete their orthodontic treatment. The answer usually will vary between 12 and 36 months. There are a few factors that influence how long you will wear braces.

These factors are:

• Patient age- We must emphasize that there is no single right age for orthodontic treatments. However, younger orthodontic patients tend to need their braces for a shorter amount of time because the teeth can move more readily since growth is still happening.
• The complexity of the case- It stands to reason that an orthodontic case adjusting several problems will need more time than a case with a single issue.
• The type of orthodontic treatment- The standard metal braces usually can move teeth efficiently. Incognito braces take more time to move the teeth into position because they are working in a different direction. Ceramic braces take longer than metal braces because the ceramic brackets cause more friction with metal orthodontic wires.

At Oasis Orthodontics, we want to help our patients achieve the smiles of their dreams. If you would like more information regarding the details of our service, please feel free to contact our office. The Oasis Orthodontic staff can give you helpful information as well as set up a no-obligation consultation where you can find out information about your orthodontic options.