Its that time of the year…family photos for holiday cards are in full effect and you can’t stop looking at “that one tooth of yours” that stands out in every photo, your daughter won’t smile with her teeth because “they are too crowded”, or your son is embarrassed because his teeth “stick out” too far. You have found yourself curious if its time to visit an orthodontist for a consultation. Whatever the reason, you are definitely not alone!
Currently, over four million people have braces and another couple million have clear aligners to straighten their teeth and attain the smile they have always wanted. There are some things about braces and clear aligners that you should know before you dive into orthodontic treatment.
- People of all ages undergo orthodontic treatment.
It is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontics that every child is evaluated by an orthodontist at the age of 7. This doesn’t mean that they are necessarily ready for braces at this age, but there are certain instances that an orthodontist would prefer to treat at this age. At Synergi we have a lot of adults undergoing treatment, too! We love treating the entire family!
- There are foods to avoid during orthodontic treatment.
Whether you have braces or clear aligners, there are certain foods that should be avoided during treatment to allow your treatment to go as planned. When your braces are placed or your clear aligners are delivered we will go over different foods and beverages to avoid in detail!
- The time and financial investment of orthodontic treatment will be WORTH IT!
Most orthodontic treatment takes 12-18 months, but you’ll notice this time will fly during the duration of treatment. Of course, there is a financial investment to consider, but with the confidence and esthetics you will gain after orthodontic treatment it will all pay off. Our practice is proud to work with most insurance companies and offer financing options to make this part of your treatment as easy and stress-free as possible!
- Getting your braces “on” is easy and pain-free.
Most patient’s experience a nervous feeling the day their braces are placed, but rest assured that the process is painless! As the patient, you get to sit back and relax while your orthodontist does all the work.
- Brushing and flossing is very important during treatment.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy during treatment is extremely important and allows your teeth to move more efficiently. Your final result will also be better if you are consistent with brushing and flossing while you have braces or clear aligners.
- After treatment, wearing your retainers is essential.
The only way to keep your teeth straight after your treatment is to wear your retainers. If you do not wear your retainers as instructed, you will most likely need future treatment to achieve these optimal results you worked so hard for! We have different options for retainers that we will discuss.
- At Synergi Orthodontics we want you to feel “at-home” and comfortable during each and every appointment.
If there are ever any questions your need answered or if you are curious to ever know more about your treatment plan we are here to help and ensure your understand every step of the process!
Knowing what to expect before getting braces or clear aligners will make the experience that much easier. When you are finally done with treatment and you see that new healthy smile, you’ll realize the little inconveniences were well worth it! At Synergi, we would be honored to treat you and your entire family!