The teeth straightening treatment and follow up

Irrespective of the type of teeth straightening that is to be performed the procedure is about the same. The treatment is divided into different steps which in turn are divided over a number of visits to the clinics.

1. Preparatory visit and examination

The first step of a teeth straightening procedure is that the patient either with a referral or on their own initiative arrives at a specialist teeth straightening clinic for a consultation. He or she will first be examined.

Depending on the results of the examination one will then receive information about which method is deemed suitable, how the procedure is performed, what it will cost and what results can be expected.

2. Introductory treatment measures

During the second visit the treatment begins by taking an imprint of the teeth and a number of x-rays. Based on these a final treatment plan is provided. If a tooth needs to be extracted or other preparatory measures are needed they will be initiated now.

Using Invisalign tooth adjustment the patient’s dental splints are ordered after step two. These are then collected at the clinic and the patient begins the treatment alone.

3. Installation and follow up

During the third visit the dental braces are put into place by gluing the fixtures onto the teeth whereby the thread is attached and adjusted to just enough strain. The entire visit takes between 1-3 hours depending on which technique is used.

During the following 6-24 months shorter visits are made to the clinics every 6-8 weeks in order to tighten the thread as the teeth move.

Living with dental braces

Living with dental braces does not involve much trouble. One does however need to be careful about what one eats in terms of hard or chewy things which can cause a fixture to loosen. Although this is not very bad, since it can easily be re-glued during the next visit.

During the first week before getting used to the dental braces you may experience some tension in your teeth, slight pain or some chaffing inside your mouth. This will subside quickly.

Tooth brushing is extremely important when wearing dental braces. You should brush often and thoroughly.

Generally one wears the dental braces for 1-2 years and goes for adjustment appointments every 6-8 weeks. Once your dental braces are removed a steel thread (a so called retainer) is attached on the inside of your teeth in order to fixate them in their new position.

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