What to Expect When Seeing an [Orthodontist]

LAST UPDATED: DECEMBER 26, 2017

What to Expect When Seeing an Orthodontist?

If you have never visited an orthodontist then you need to know what to expect. First, you must understand that orthodontic staff know that patients are nervous, especially during the first visit. The staff at an orthodontic office try to make the process comfortable for everyone no matter what their age. There are frequently fun waiting areas with a television or magazines to read. To keep children busy, there is a small playroom with toys, crayons and coloring books. The facility wants to keep teenagers happy by supplying computers with an Internet connection. In most cases, you won’t need to wait long to see an orthodontist because facilities keep patient’s appointment times structured.

Orthodontic Treatment Prevents Jaw Problems

The primary reason that you must visit an orthodontist is to have dental braces designed for misaligned teeth. However, there are several preliminary steps involved before an orthodontist can recommend the best braces for your teeth. Before wearing any type of braces, you must have healthy gums, bones, and teeth. The entire facial structure, including the jawbone, should be perfect to make sure you have a strong biting surface. Slight deformities of the jawbone can lead to major problems later such as a temporomandibular joint disorder or subconscious teeth-grinding. If you have an infection in your gum tissue, then it requires treatment before wearing wire braces or clear aligners. Additional problems that might require repairing by an orthodontist are cavities or chipped teeth.

How Braces Improve Your Life

Properly aligned teeth look beautiful when you smile, but straight teeth are also vital for chewing food and talking. After having your teeth straightened, you might breathe better, have fewer earaches and snore less while sleeping. A modern orthodontist wants you to have straighter teeth to improve overall health for a lifetime. This is why an orthodontist might have you wear other devices before beginning to wear braces. Some of the appliances worn before braces include headgear or jaw expanders. The only way to know if you need to wear specialized orthodontia is by having an extensive examination that includes three-dimensional medical imaging.

Why Orthodontic Treatment is Important

The malocclusions of your teeth are frequently genetic and often occur in other family members, but there are also environmental factors that lead to crooked, overlapping or poorly spaced teeth. You might have damaged teeth due to an accident or a bad habit such as chewing pencils. One damaged tooth inside your mouth can lead to nearby teeth having problems that lead to a bad bite and additional wear and tear on enamel surfaces. In only a few months, the teeth inside your mouth begin to shift due to the pressure of surrounding teeth, leading to more malocclusions. You are never too old to visit an orthodontist about dental braces, and if you are a parent, then have a child examined at a young age to catch problems in early stages.

FAQ

Does An Orthodontic Examination Includes X-Rays?

Orthodontic facilities usually have several examination rooms with a variety of equipment such as chairs, sinks, and cabinets. You might go to a different room for X-rays of your full mouth and facial structure. It is always fun to see the X-rays of your face and teeth, and most orthodontists will point out problems they see that require treatment. You will sit in a comfortable chair that reclines to help the orthodontist perform a visual inspection of your mouth that includes looking at the palate, tongue, and top of the throat. Orthodontists who treat children have specialized chairs or risers to make this experience easier. To divert children who are frightened, there are televisions to watch or music to listen to, and you are often permitted to select your favorite DVDs or CDs.

Does An Orthodontist Collect a Mold Impression?

To get customized orthodontic braces an orthodontist or hygienist will take impressions of your teeth to make molds. Taking an impression feels strange because you press your teeth into a tray of soft material, but it is essential to get an accurate mold of your bottom and top teeth. The orthodontist will feel your face as you open and close your mouth to determine if there are any jaw problems that require treatment before wearing dental braces. Occasionally, an orthodontist needs to remove one or more teeth before you begin wearing braces. These teeth might include primary teeth that are crowded by permanent teeth or wisdom teeth that are impacted in your gum tissue.

Should You Contact Your Dental Insurance Provider?

Before considering orthodontic braces in Delano, contact your insurance provider to learn more about benefits. Your insurance company’s website will have a list of recommended orthodontists for a particular region. Visit the orthodontist’s website to make an appointment with an online form, or contact the office with a telephone call. Ask about completing insurance forms before your first appointment, and get a list of the items needed to confirm your information. Adults must bring along a:

• Social Security card
• Driver’s license
• Insurance verification

If you are the parent of a teenager over age 18, then they must bring along identification and sign a release form to give your medical information.

Contact an Orthodontist Today

For moderate to severe malocclusions, you will need wire or ceramic braces that are attached to your teeth and remain in place for an average of two to four years. The brackets and wires of traditional braces are designed to apply pressure against the teeth to shift teeth into the correct positions. If you require traditional braces, then you will visit an orthodontist on a regular basis to have the wires adjusted. You might need to schedule an emergency visit with an orthodontist when a wire or bracket breaks. Teenagers and adults with mild malocclusions are candidates for clear plastic aligners that fit over the teeth and are easy to remove. To learn more about orthodontic braces, contact Dr. Michael McDermott on 763-972-4444 today or visit the practice.

What to Expect When Seeing an Orthodontist

McDermott Orthodontist
708 Elm Ave. E.
Delano, MN
55328
TEL: 763-972-4444