Summer is a busy time for orthodontics, so make your appointments now! It’s convenient for kids to begin their orthodontic process in the summer because they have more free time to make it to their appointments, and their parents can hopefully make the time to take them!
It’s also preferable to have some time to adjust to wearing and caring for the appliances before settling into the daily grind of school and classes.
If your child or teen is in need of orthodontics keep reading to learn what the process will look like.
Consultation and Treatment Plan
Your orthodontist won’t just look at your child’s teeth and make a plan. A thorough assessment and analysis is needed, and this takes some time. X-rays will be necessary so that your orthodontist can determine the complexity and severity of your child’s case.
Once it is determined exactly how much treatment is needed, we will sit down together and decide the best way to go about it. Many teenagers do very well with Invisalign, and for others braces are the better option. We give every single one of our patients individual and undivided attention. We will take the time to determine what treatment is best for you and your child so that their care is sure to be a success.
Of course there are finances involved in getting orthodontic treatment. We will work with you of course, as well as with your insurance company in order to make your case as affordable and hassle free as possible. And you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself- we have experts in the office to handle your insurance and payment needs.
Orthodontic X-rays and Technology
A full panel of X-rays and evaluations will be completed before your child starts the process of Invisalign or braces. Intra-oral photos of the mouth, teeth, and jaw structure are an important aspect of successful orthodontic treatment, and we want to do a thorough job of this.
That’s why we use some of the best technology there is for our patients. We use 3D X-ray technology, as well as panoramic photography.
When it comes to making molds and impressions, we use the iTero element digital scanning technology. This means you and your child get to avoid the hassle of yucky, goopy material that was used in the past for making impressions.
We use the best technology so that you and your child can get the best results.
Starting Braces or Invisalign
Once your child’s case has been made, and a treatment option determined, it’s time to get started! And remember, when it comes to orthodontics, the sooner the better. On the one hand it is never too late to get the beautiful smile we all deserve, but on the other hand it’s best to get ahead of any potential problems. The longer you wait, the more potential there is for the case to become more complicated, and therefore more timely and expensive.
Once the X-rays are taken and examined, the process of orthodontics really begins. Your orthodontist will send your X-rays and impressions to Invisalign, and your hardware will be on the way! It may take up to 4 weeks for this to happen, another reason to get started with your case as soon as possible.
Once your Invisalign aligners arrive, or it’s time to get braces attached to your teeth, the orthodontist will sit down with you and explain step by step what the plan is, and your child’s responsibility for their own care. What foods to eat and avoid, how to clean or care for the appliances, and how often to come in for adjustments will all be laid out for you right at the start.
If your child needs orthodontics, don’t wait another minute to make an appointment! We are a family oriented practice, and we love working with kids and their parents. In fact, we’re a multi-generational practice-some of our patients are the children of previous patients! We will make sure that your whole family is smiling happily and healthily, for years to come!