3 Questions To Ask Your Orthodontist About Braces

For some people, the thought of orthodontic treatment, such as braces and clear aligners, may seem daunting. However, our team will walk you through the entire process to ensure you comprehend and are comfortable with your treatment plan. The first step in achieving this is the initial consultation with our orthodontist, where you can ask as many questions as necessary. Below, we have outlined three questions to prepare you for your consultation.

What to ask during your orthodontic consultation

What are the different orthodontic options?

There are multiple treatment modalities in orthodontics. At your initial complimentary consultation, Dr. McMahon will assess your individual needs and recommend one of the following treatment options.  In many cases, Patients will have the ability to choose from multiple treatment options: 

• Metal braces: Metal braces are the most common and original style of orthodontics dating back 100+ years. Despite being around for over a century, the aesthetic of metal braces has improved drastically over time. Also known as traditional braces, the brackets and wires are made of stainless steel. The metal brackets are applied to the front of the teeth, and the wires are connected through each bracket, applying a gentle force, pushing the teeth into their desired position. As treatment progresses, Dr. McMahon will advance the size, shape, and material of the wire to achieve your customized smile goals.
• Clear Ceramic braces: Also known as invisible or clear braces, the brackets are made from colorless and transparent materials, blending in with the patient’s gums and teeth, making them more difficult to detect. Clear braces are applied and managed by Dr. McMahon in the same way as traditional braces throughout treatment but provide patients with a more incognito option. For some patients, ceramic braces will be used for the top arch (upper teeth), but metal braces will be used for the bottom arch (lower teeth).  The reason for this is so patients do not bite directly into the ceramic braces on the bottom arch.
• Self-ligating braces: This involves a unique system of wires and brackets used in place of elastic ligatures. The self-ligating bracket has a built-in mechanism that automatically closes it when placed on the tooth. This eliminates the need for elastic ligatures previously used to hold the archwire in place.
• Lingual braces: These consist of metal or plastic wire and brackets bonded to each tooth’s backside. In some cases, the orthodontist may use rubber bands for added retention.
• Clear Aligners or Invisalign: Clear aligners can be a great alternative to traditional metal braces or clear braces for patients who may be seeking the most discrete option.   Clear aligners generally work the same way as metal braces – applying constant pressure on the patient's teeth, slowly pushing them into the desired position. Just like the name implies, clear aligners are made from clear plastics that are virtually undetectable while being worn. This allows patients to deal with alignment issues without altering their appearance.  Dr. McMahon works closely with technicians at Invisalign to customize each patient’s desired needs and goals including the final position of each tooth, bite correction, and staging of treatment.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment duration varies for each patient. It depends on the severity of the patient’s bite or malocclusion. In some cases, patients only need to be in active orthodontic treatment for as little as a few months, while others may need treatment for over two years.

Additionally, if a patient responds quickly to treatment and follows all of Dr. McMahon’s recommendations for their care and lifestyle changes, they may be able to shorten their treatment time.  For example, with clear aligners or Invisalign, patients are directed to wear their aligners for 20-22 hours per day, but if the patient does not wear them as directed, it can prolong treatment. 

A benefit of traditional braces is they are attached to the patient’s teeth and cannot be removed, resulting in a more efficient treatment if the patient does not wear their aligners as often as directed. 

How will my life change with braces?

Beyond the cosmetic improvements that take place with your orthodontic treatment, the primary lifestyle changes during active treatment will come from food choices. With traditional or clear braces, patients should avoid or modify the following types of food:

• Uncut hard foods (i.e., apples, carrots, celery, raw broccoli, popcorn)
• Chewy and sticky foods (i.e., candy, gum, caramel)
• Tough meats (i.e., dried meats, tough steaks)

Patients can often still enjoy their favorite foods with some minor modifications, such as cutting meat off bones, cutting chewier foods into smaller bites, and eating slower.

With clear aligners, patients can receive orthodontic treatment without having to alter their diet or favorite foods. However, the aligners should be worn full-time when not actively eating or drinking anything except water. 

After determining the type of orthodontic treatment the patient will receive, Anchored Orthodontics will provide a more detailed list of foods to consume and avoid.

No matter the treatment modality selected, patients will schedule several visits to our office throughout their treatment. For traditional or clear braces, adjustment appointments will be scheduled approximately every 6 weeks. For clear aligners, appointments will be less frequent – approximately every 8 to 10 weeks.

During each visit, Dr. McMahon will assess treatment the progress of treatment, check for any problems such as broken brackets or pokey wires, monitor alignment changes, and tighten the braces as needed. Our team will also remove any signs of plaque or tartar around the braces to ensure they function properly.

Schedule your consultation today

We hope this article has helped prepare you for your initial complimentary consultation at Anchored Orthodontics! If you have any additional questions about orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation and have your questions ready for your appointment. Anchored Orthodontics is here to help guide you or your child from treatment start to their beautiful new smile at completion of treatment. We hope to meet you soon!

Directly schedule or request a free consultation here: https://anchoredorthodontics.com or call Anchored Orthodontics at (612) 200-0020 for an appointment in our Minnetonka office.

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