Starting orthodontic treatment
There are different treatment methods depending on your needs and priorities.
We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other as you go through your orthodontic treatment. Once we’re underway, you’ll need to come in fairly regularly for adjustments and checks.
We do our best to work around your school or work commitments, but unfortunately it’s almost impossible to undertake a full course of orthodontic treatment without some daytime appointments. We do try to be as flexible as possible and to schedule routine adjustment appointments for before or after school and business hours. Longer visits, if required, are usually scheduled during the day.
If you need to postpone an appointment please let us know as soon as possible, so we can reschedule.
Your first appointment
You’ll have come to us either because you’ve been referred by your dentist for health reasons, or because you’re looking for cosmetic improvement.
1The first time we see you, we’ll conduct a complete orthodontic examination, do a ‘chalky teeth check-up‘, discuss your options, and recommend a treatment method. We’ll take a good look at your face and bone structure, discuss your expectations, and talk about whether it’s the right time for you to begin treatment. Sometimes it’s best to defer it for a while; if this is the case for you, we’ll arrange to see you at a later date. There’s no charge for any recall appointments.
Your records appointment
If it’s time for you to start your treatment, we’ll bring you in for a records appointment so we can take some x-rays and digital images for our records. This appointment usually takes about 30 minutes.
2The x-rays and imaging give Mark or Andrew the information they need to finalise a treatment plan, which we’ll send to you within four weeks.
At this appointment we’ll be able to determine the cost of your treatment, once we have a good understanding of the complexity of the issue and your desired results. Our practice manager will be happy to discuss treatment options with you.
Your bonding visit
It all starts here! This is when your braces are fitted, a process which usually takes just over an hour.
3We fix your braces to your teeth and put your first set of wires in place. From now on, you’re going to have to take very good care of your braces and your teeth, and we’ll give you instructions on how to do that.
It won’t hurt at all to have your braces fitted. Be aware that it might be a bit uncomfortable for a few days after, though – this is normal, and you can manage it by taking over-the-counter medications and having warm drinks.
Adjustment visits
Every 4-10 weeks, we’ll ask you to come in so we can adjust your braces and check your oral hygiene.
4These are routine visits, but if something breaks don’t wait until your next appointment. Contact us as soon as possible and we’ll arrange an appointment for repairs.
Breakages
Breakages can be time-consuming to repair, so we have to fix these during school or working hours.
5Please let us know ahead of your appointment if you’ve had a breakage so we can make sure we allow time to fix it.
