Usually, when getting braces, people have a fairly clear idea of the future. You can imagine your teeth slowly getting straighter, your smile more symmetrical and the exciting day you get your braces off! Your orthodontist provides you an estimate of how long the treatment will take, you brace yourself for a few tweaks and all looks good.
But what happens if your teeth aren’t moving right? What if your treatment takes longer than you anticipated, a bracket keeps falling off or you start to worry that your smile isn’t moving forward the way you had imagined? Orthodontic treatment is not always a completely predictable procedure. Every person’s tooth, bite and response to orthodontic therapy are different, so it’s not unusual to see the odd change to the original plan.
The trick is knowing which challenges are easy to handle, what could cause delays and when to contact your orthodontist. Continue reading to learn more.
Does Every Braces Journey Follow the Same Timeline?
Upon receiving braces for the very first time, your orthodontist usually provides you with a rough estimate of the time needed for your treatment, based on your dental alignment and dental bite. This is merely an estimate and not a precise point in time for how long the treatment will take. Some teeth may take longer than anticipated to respond, while other required modifications to the bite may need more adjustments than expected.
The complexity involved in your case, your biological responses to the treatment, and how strictly you follow instructions from your orthodontist can all play a role in how fast the treatment takes place. For instance, someone suffering from mild crowding may need a different treatment than someone with serious bite issues. If the orthodontist ends up having to prolong your treatment duration, this does not necessarily imply that something is wrong.
What If Your Teeth Aren’t Moving as Expected?
Braces utilize a system of precise forces to gradually reposition the teeth; however, the teeth do not always move uniformly and at the same rate. Your orthodontist may determine that the necessary force for moving a specific tooth is greater than previously calculated. This need for change may lead to a change in wire selection, repositioning of braces, or addition of new orthodontic items. The adjustments made during the treatment do not indicate that the braces are failing. But if you are worried about your treatment progress, don’t hesitate to ask your orthodontist about the changes made.
What Happens If a Bracket Breaks?
Disruption of bracket functions is generally perceived as a serious problem, especially when one is already concerned about the orthodontic process. The good news is that occasional issues might happen and they can be handled fairly easily. Brackets can loosen up after biting on a hard product, getting injured accidentally, or putting too much stress on the device. In case of a bracket breaking down, a patient is supposed to reach a dentist for advice instead of trying to fix it on their own. Depending on the situation, the orthodontist can suggest rescheduling the appointment or provide quick solutions to the issue.
Can Missing Appointments Delay Your Results?
An orthodontic visit isn’t just an ordinary check-up. During these visits, an orthodontist examines the movement of teeth, checks appliances, and makes necessary adjustments. If appointments are missed often, it will postpone the changes as well as the entire treatment plan. Even if the treatment feels comfortable, this doesn’t mean that things are proceeding as planned. It is advisable to schedule your orthodontic appointments ahead of time if there are university assignments, deadlines from work, or traveling plans. In the case, when you know in advance that, you will miss an appointment you should inform your orthodontist’s clinic and make a reschedule for another day.
What If You’re Unhappy with Your Progress?
It is common to have certain expectations about the result of your smiles once you have your braces off. However, if you compare the results of your treatments with someone else’s, this can cause you unnecessary stress. Even if two patients start their treatment at the same time, the outcome will not be the same due to the fact that both patients have different issues.
In case you do not like what you see, you should discuss it with your orthodontist. You should express your concerns clearly. You should specify what it is that bothers you about your teeth. It can be the gap between them, or one of your teeth being in the wrong position. This will give your dentist more clarity, allowing them to tweak your plan accordingly.