5 Things to Know Before Seeing an Orthodontist

5 Things to Know Before Seeing an Orthodontist

August 8th, 2018

A bright, perfect smile is a big confidence booster. Today's orthodontic techniques are designed to give you the smile you want in the least amount of time. If you have been considering seeing an orthodontist, there are several things you need to know before scheduling the first appointment to an orthodontist in San Tan Valley AZ.

Get a Consultation First 
Before you can move ahead with any orthodontic work, you will first need a consultation. Many orthodontists offer this free of charge. You can visit the office, meet the staff and explore all of the options that are available to you. The consultation visit will also help you decide if the office is a good fit for your needs. Your relationship with the staff is directly connected to the success of your treatment.

Create a Customized Treatment Plan 
The course of your treatment depends on how much work you need to have done and other factors. During your consultation visit, the orthodontist will look at your teeth and give you an estimate for the length of treatment and what method will give you the best results. This will help you decide if orthodontics is the best choice for your goals and get you closer to the smile that you want.

Consider All of the Options 
The foundation of your treatment is your budget, as this will determine which method is optimal for you. While many people still opt for traditional metal braces, you can also consider Invisalign clear braces. Invisalign will straighten your teeth quickly without the drawbacks of metal braces, namely constant adjustments, poor oral hygiene and broken brackets. In addition, no one will notice that you are wearing them, which eliminates the self-consciousness that often accompanies getting braces.

Expect Some Mild Discomfort 
The course of your orthodontic treatment will cause your teeth to shift and move over time. This means you will experience some oral discomfort. There are a couple of ways you can ease this mild pain. The first step is to change your diet to softer foods that require little to no chewing. This includes steamed vegetables, yogurt, soft fruits, applesauce and meats that have been cooked to tenderness. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. The pain usually resolves within a few days. If it lasts longer or intensifies, you should see your orthodontist immediately.

Choose the Orthodontist Carefully
Like anything else in life, you will need to do some research before committing time and money to orthodontic work. Visit local offices, check patient reviews and ensure doctors are in good standing with the state board. Your orthodontist should have extensive experience in aligning both the bite and the teeth and should have the educational degrees to back it up. The office you choose should use the latest technology and offer a free consultation before you decide to go ahead with treatment.

Get Your Financial Plan in Order 
The good news is your dental insurance should cover most if not all of your orthodontic treatment. If you do not have an insurance plan or cannot pay up front for the treatment in full, the orthodontic office may be able to set up a payment plan that works for you and your budget. Do not be embarrassed to ask about making payments. Many people use this option to get a beautiful smile without breaking the bank.

Orthodontic treatment requires a large investment of time and patience. If you are ready to improve your smile, schedule a consultation with an orthodontist to see what options are open to you.

Tags: orthodontics, robison orthodontics, Adult Orthodontics, orthodontist Arizona

What is the right age for an orthodontic check-up?

Interceptive Care

The American Orthodontic Association recommends that a child receive his or her first orthodontic examination no later than age 7. Early diagnosis and treatment, if needed, may eliminate the need for permanent tooth extractions or jaw surgery. Typical signs of the need for an orthodontic exam may include, but are not limited to, the early or late loss of teeth, difficulty in chewing, mouth-breathing, finger sucking, crowded teeth, jaw dysfunction, a sunken or protruding jaw or missing or displaced permanent teeth. Our initial exams and subsequent observation appointments are complimentary and are the most sensible means of ensuring proper oral health. 

Adolescents 

Orthodontics is more than straightening crooked teeth. An overbite, an under bite, a dysfunctional smile and a sunken or protruding chin all can be corrected with orthodontic treatment. Proper tooth and jaw alignment are critical to achieving long-term oral health.

We feel that treatment at this time provides us with the greatest opportunity to achieve the best result. Adolescent children are searching for their identity and their way in life. Thus, treating at this time also allows us to provide encouragement and guidance as the child matures. 

Adults 

Many adults were unable to get orthodontic treatment during their childhood. As a result, they have simply lived with misaligned teeth or a dysfunctional bite most of their lives. Orthodontics can be rewarding to our adult patients. We find that our adult patients are very motivated. 

Teeth provide the support structure for the soft tissue of the lower face, including lips, cheeks, and marionette lines. By re-positioning the teeth and jaw, skin can appear tighter and lips can appear fuller. We can often achieve greater facial aesthetics without surgery or the extraction of teeth by creating a treatment plan utilizing appliances that can expand the jaw and re-position teeth and gums. 

Mesa                                                                                                     Gilbert

1635 North Greenfield Rd. Suite 103                                        1355 South Higley Rd. Suite 105

Mesa, AZ 85205                                                                         Gilbert, AZ 85296

T: 480-615-8888                                                                         T: 480-888-7711

Mesa, AZ Orthodontist offers Two-Phase Treatment

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized process that encompasses tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The major advantage of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life. We are also able to avoid extractions of permanent teeth.

The goal of Mesa, AZ Orthodontist Dr. Tyler Robison first phase treatment is to develop the jaw size in order to accommodate all the permanent teeth and to relate the upper and lower jaws to each other. Children sometimes exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper and lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough can be recognized at an early age. If children after age 7 are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment.

    Because they are growing rapidly, children can benefit enormously from an early phase of Mesa, AZ orthodontist orthodontic treatment utilizing appliances that direct the growth relationship of the upper and lower jaws. Thus, a good foundation can be established, providing adequate room for eruption of all permanent teeth. This early correction may prevent later removal of permanent teeth to correct overcrowding and/or surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws. Leaving such a condition untreated until all permanent teeth erupt could result in a jaw discrepancy too severe to achieve an ideal result with braces.

If you would like to gather more information regarding Mesa, AZ Orthodontist Orthodontic two-phase treatment please call Robison Orthodontics at 480-615-8888 to schedule your Mesa free ortho consultation.