How Often Do I Have to Visit an Orthodontist for Adjusting Braces?
Congrats on getting your braces in Westchester! You’re at the start of your journey to achieving a better smile! Your orthodontist has probably informed you that you need to visit them every now and then, which leaves you wondering, how often do you have to visit them, and why is it so important?
In this article, we’ll explain how often you need braces adjustment sessions throughout your treatment.
The Importance of Braces Readjustment
Brackets are tightened every now and then in order to assist the teeth in shifting gradually into their ideal positions. The process allows the alignment of the teeth to straighten and eliminate any gaps you may have.
The frequency of your readjusting your braces plays a huge factor in the final results of your treatment, as well as how long it will take overall to complete it. Every patient tolerates discomfort differently, so it’s up to them how much of it they’ll allow.
The orthodontist will talk about the options with the patient during the consultation. Moving on with the process, the orthodontist will ask the patient to schedule appointments for retightening, readjusting, and the replacement of the components of their braces. These appointments are going to help with achieving the patient’s desired look without damaging the teeth.
If your braces happen to become loose, the first thing you need to do is to call your orthodontist and schedule an appointment to have it fixed immediately. While you’re waiting for your appointment, you can use dental wax or an eraser tip to cover any wires that are protruding and can cause irritation or cuts in your inner mouth.
After the retightening appointment, do expect your teeth and mouth to feel sore, as it’s completely normal. The best way to help the soft oral tissues in your mouth if it gets irritated is by using orthodontic wax. It’s common for the different kinds of braces to irritate one’s mouth, so you have to be prepared for it. Orthodontic wax is a great tool to provide temporary relief until the tissues have recovered or if your orthodontist has treated the problem.
In order to use dental or orthodontic wax, all you have to do is to take a tiny pea-sized amount of wax, roll it between your fingers, and place the wax where the irritation is coming from. Make sure your hands are clean while doing this in order to avoid any unnecessary infections or added irritation.
How Many Times Do I Visit My Orthodontist During Braces Treatment?
On average, most patients are required to wear braces for between a year and a half to two years. There may be cases when a patient is told to keep the braces longer than the average duration period, mainly because of dental problems. The majority of patients will need about 15-20 visits in order to complete the treatment, not to mention the preliminary visits needed to collect information to develop the treatment plan before starting it. Keep in mind that this is a generalization, and the actual number of appointments you’ll need to have will depend with you and your orthodontist.
Other factors for the number of visits are whether you need more time for the treatment if you require surgery or appliances. If you have severely misaligned teeth or bite issues, then it can take up to three years for the treatment to finish.
Traditional braces
When it comes to children, traditional braces are the most popular choice for them. For traditional braces, you will need to schedule a visit to our office for an initial appointment and consultation with our orthodontist, as well as a diagnostic records appointment which can also happen on the same day, in order to develop a proper plan before installing the braces. The schedule of visits will follow every six to eight weeks for the braces adjustment.
The readjustment of braces can sometimes include installing new wires, but every visit will require you to get new elastics which is the fun part for most patients because they get to choose which color they want next. It can be your favorite color or a color to match your outfit, your favorite sports teams, and the like.
Invisalign
Invisalign is one of the more recent kinds of orthodontic treatment that utilizes a new form of technology. Unlike traditional braces that require elastics, wires, and brackets to shift the teeth, Invisalign uses clear trays that fit over the shape of your teeth. The clear trays are also referred to as “aligners,” and they exert gentle pressure to fix the alignment of your teeth.
When you undergo Invisalign treatment, you’re only required to visit your orthodontist typically every six or more weeks, depending on your progress, the number of aligners given to you at your last appointment, and the types of movements expected.
Once your treatment gets completed, you’ll be instructed to wear a retainer in order to maintain your amazing smile. There will still be follow-up appointments for at least the next two years just to make sure that the retainers are still fitting well and that your teeth have not shifted back into their original placements.
How Often Do I Get My Braces Adjustment?
Every patient’s story is different, but as a general rule of thumb, you need to have your braces readjusted or tightened every four to 10 weeks. It’s important to remember that your orthodontist will create a customized braces treatment for you, so there won’t be a one-size-fits-all adjustment period that everyone has to follow.
In the very first appointment, your orthodontist will evaluate just how severe your malocclusion is and create a schedule for your braces retightening that’s made to suit your circumstances and needs. Your own customized adjustment timeline will depend on how old you are, as well as the current state of your oral health and the alignment of your jaw and teeth.
Patients who have a severe case of teeth misalignment or malocclusion may require more trips to the orthodontist to have their braces tightened. However, even with severe cases, it’s not common for you to have your braces tightened every two weeks throughout your entire treatment period.
What Happens If I Don’t Have My Braces Retightened?
Don’t think about skipping your appointments because this can damage your braces and your teeth. As your teeth move slowly and find their proper alignment, the traction caused by the elastics and wires of your braces will change. This means that the constant pressure can weaken (or stop completely) or apply pressure that’s not needed.
It’s your orthodontist’s responsibility to braces adjustment regularly so that the correct pressure applied to your teeth is maintained. Additionally, your elastics have to be replaced at every appointment, and your wires can be changed, tightened, or adjusted.
Have a Safe and Comfortable Braces Adjustment Experience in NY!
Smile Style NY has two prime locations in Westchester that provide the best braces treatment. You can visit our office in Yorktown Heights and in Mt Kisco, NY. We understand how tedious braces adjustment sessions are, and in our clinics, you wouldn’t feel that way at all!
Dr. Sharon Eder offers high-class orthodontic care to all of her patients, ensuring they receive only the best orthodontic care in Westchester.
