Ottawa-Gatineau Orthodontists Alliance
Posted by Dr. Sharleen Tan, 2017-04-17
One of the most frequent questions asked of Orthodontists about orthodontic treatment is – “when will my braces come off?”
If that’s one of your questions, read on for some helpful tips that will help to keep your orthodontic treatment on an ideal schedule.
Once your Orthodontist completes the complex job of analyzing and diagnosing your orthodontic situation, there are a few things that you can control to ensure a smooth treatment for the optimal orthodontic outcome.
Of course, there can be unforeseen situations that come up during treatment, like growth factors, or teeth that are unable to move due to other unknown underlying conditions. Sometimes these factors can be very difficult to predict.
However, in general, by following the suggestions below, you can help your orthodontic treatment stay on the fastest track possible!
It’s best if your Orthodontist sees you on a regular and consistent basis. Your individual interval could be anywhere from every 4-12 weeks depending on your situation. At each visit, your Orthodontist will make adjustments to your appliances to keep the teeth and jaws moving as outlined in your treatment plan.
By keeping optimal oral hygiene, your teeth are able to move most efficiently. If teeth and gums are not kept as clean as they should be, tooth movement takes longer. Be as thorough as possible making sure you don’t miss the gum line and all the surfaces of each brace. Ideally, you should brush after every meal and before bedtime. Flossing at least once a day is highly recommended. In a nutshell, time spent on proper oral hygiene saves treatment time!
Whether it be the number of hours per day or sizes of elastics, it’s important to follow through with what is expected. These calculated force vectors are very much needed to ensure that the fit the teeth together properly. If you run out of elastics, be sure to pick up more from your Orthodontist. Borrowing elastics from other people is not a good idea unless they are the exact same size and force as the ones your Orthodontist has specified. Cutting corners with your elastics may compromise your results!
Avoiding hard and sticky foods like toffee and gum that can dislodge your braces or other orthodontic appliances are by far the safest way to go. These tasty but troublesome treats may cause damages that disrupt tooth movement resulting in a relapse and, longer treatment time.
Sticking to these four simple orthodontic treatment tips will keep things running smoothly. It all comes down to working as a team mate with your Orthodontist to achieve the best bite and best smile possible in as little time as possible!
