I love that my family dentist is tech-savvy. It's so easy to book a dentist on his smartphone app if I have a tooth problem or if anyone in my family needs emergency problems (I can choose either my normal dentist or another dentist in his practise depending on availability). He also has some great cameras so that we can see exactly what is going on during treatment. I prefer not to see this, but my kids love to be able to see the dentist using his specialised tools to clean and repair their teeth. This blog has some tips on finding a tech-savvy dentist to help give your family the best possible dental care.
If you are considering orthodontics to improve your smile, you probably have a number of questions on your mind concerning the treatment. Understanding how orthodontics works before you begin treatment will help you to get the most out of your treatment.
The following is a list of some of the most important things to know before you begin orthodontic treatment.
1. You may need other dental treatments first
If you need any dental work done, do it before you undergo orthodontic treatment. Braces, especially traditional or ceramic braces, make some dental work like fillings, dental crowns and extraction difficult to carry out. Take care of any needed dental work before you begin your orthodontic treatment.
2. Orthodontic treatment makes oral hygiene easier
After your teeth start to move during your treatment, oral hygiene will be easier to maintain. As your teeth move into more natural positions, you'll be able to brush and floss areas that were once difficult to reach more easily.
3. You have many orthodontic options to choose from
You have many options to choose from to straighten your teeth, such as:
Talk to an orthodontist about these options. You may find that one of these types suits your lifestyle and needs more than the others do.
4. You need to adjust your diet before your treatment
Your diet will affect the success of your treatment. For instance, sticky foods can pull at traditional or ceramic brace brackets, while dark-coloured foods can stain Invisalign and ceramic braces. As such, whatever braces you choose, be ready to adjust your diet before you begin your treatment.
5. You may feel some discomfort
Orthodontic treatment slowly moves teeth through bone to a more favourable position. This means that you'll feel discomfort from time to time, especially after your braces have been adjusted or you move onto the next aligner.
6. Discipline is important during orthodontic treatment
You'll need to demonstrate discipline to get the best out of your treatment. This is because you'll need to see your dentist from time to time for adjustments and tweaks to your treatment. You'll also need to make sure you practice excellent oral hygiene.
7. Your treatment continues even after your braces come off
In many cases, teeth move slowly back to their former positions after orthodontic treatment has ended. This is why orthodontists recommend that you wear a retainer. The retainer will keep your teeth in their new positions. If you take off your retainer too often, your teeth will gradually move back to where they were before.
If orthodontics is something that appeals to you, this list will help you to understand what your treatment will entail.
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