If your dentist in SE Calgary has recommended that you undergo orthodontic treatment, we have a hunch that one of your first questions – or one of your teen’s first questions – is going to be “how long will that take?” The answer to that question will depend, of course, on a lot of factors that your dentist near Mckenzie Towne will assess and discuss with you. Every person’s treatment plan is unique and your dentist will be in the best position to answer that all-important question.
How long will it take?
The very best we can do in an article like this is to say that the average time a patient receives orthodontics in SE Calgary is between 12 and 20 months (for adults) and a little longer (usually approximately 24 months) for kids. Remember that nothing about you or your teen is average, so you should talk to a dentist near McKenzie Towne who knows your teeth well to get a more precise estimate.
What can you do to avoid delays?
With that average or your dentist’s more precise estimate in mind, what can you do to avoid delays in your orthodontic treatment? After all, there’s no point dragging it out any longer than necessary, right? Here are four tips for avoiding delays in achieving your dream of straighter teeth.
Choose wisely
For the fastest, most comfortable and most effective orthodontics near Mckenzie Towne, don’t rush to commit to the first orthodontist you find in the yellow pages or in a Google search. Ask your dentist for a referral. Speak to other adults or parents who’ve invested in orthodontic treatment. Visit orthodontists and take a look at their offices, staff, equipment and style before committing to any particular one. If you have questions about finding the right orthodontist for you, give the staff at Sorensen Dental Group a call. We’ll be happy to answer them all.
Don’t skip appointments
Placing braces on your teeth is not enough – alone – to straighten your teeth or to correct misalignment issues affecting your jaw. It’s actually the adjustment of those braces that keeps your progress moving in the right direction. Adjustments may involve relocating brackets, tightening arch wires or even making repairs. Those adjustments happen at regularly scheduled checkups and follow-up appointments. The best way to stall a treatment plan is to skip those appointments and to miss those adjustments.
Wear the bands
Unless you’re pursuing orthodontics near you with Invisalign or a self-ligating braces system, your braces will use small rubber bands at certain stages to accelerate the repositioning of your teeth and bite. They’re small, but mighty and skipping them will prolong or even derail your plan. Yes, they can be awkward and difficult, but a dentist near you and their staff will give you all the support you need to use them effectively and – at the same time – avoid delays in your orthodontic treatment plan.
Keep your teeth clean
Yes, wearing braces can make it harder to keep your teeth and gums clean. Having said that, it’s just as important with braces to maintain good oral hygiene as it is without braces. Even more so, in fact! Plaque that is allowed to accumulate on your teeth and around your braces won’t just cause cavities, but it will also – when it combines with sugars and acids – accumulate on your brackets and archwires while gradually eating away at the cement that holds those brackets in place. A loose or dislodged bracket is a recipe for delay, and you can minimize the risk of those delays by brushing, flossing and rinsing regularly. Ask your dentist to tell you the secrets of good oral hygiene while wearing braces!
Even if you follow all these tips, your treatment plan will still take a while – but no longer than necessary!
