Approximately 25 percent of all patients in family orthodontics are adults. However, they don’t understand how treatment differs for adults.
Did you know that the timeframe for treatment can be different in adults than in children?
In this article, we discuss how often you should visit your orthodontist in Sandy, UT. We also discuss what to expect from getting braces in Sandy. Continue reading to set your expectations before treatment.
Factors That Affect Going To The Orthodontist
The number of times you’ll need to visit your orthodontist in Sandy, UT depends on your reason for treatment as well as other factors. The number of visits can also change as your treatment needs change.
There are three important factors to consider when going to the orthodontist. These include the patient’s age, needed treatments, and hardware care.
Age
Children and adults need to visit their Sandy orthodontist at similar intervals. However, the amount of visits can differ. Adjustments on a child’s mouth are easier than those in adults. They need less pressure.
This is because a child’s mouth is still developing and their jawbones are comparatively thin and more pliable. An adult’s mouth takes longer to adjust because of their permanent teeth and dense jaws.
Needed Treatments
Family orthodontics involves the treatment of a variety of conditions. This includes overbites, underbites, protrusions, and more. The severity of each of these conditions can vary between patients.
With different levels of severity comes different treatment plans. The type of treatment also plays a role in the number of visits you’ll make to your orthodontist in Sandy, UT. They’ll explain your treatment needs.
Hardware Care
After going to the orthodontist and getting your hardware, you’ll be responsible for following instructions to keep it in good condition. This is important for your health and your time.
Good oral hygiene helps keep your mouth in good condition and prevents serious medical problems. However, it also affects how much time you’ll spend at the orthodontist. Following instructions will lead to faster results.
Types Of Treatments
Now that we’ve discussed the different factors that can affect your visits to your family orthodontics, it’s important to understand the general recommendations for the different types of treatments.
While an orthodontist may recommend a wide variety of treatments, the most common include traditional braces, Invisalign aligners, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder treatment.
Braces
Your first few visits to your orthodontist for braces in Sandy involve exams, measurements, and imaging to create your braces. Once applied, most patients wear their braces for an average of one to three years.
You should plan on going to the orthodontist every four to eight weeks on average. These visits are an essential part of the treatment process. Your orthodontist will replace bands, check brackets, and make adjustments as needed.
Damon System
If you’re considering getting braces in Sandy, the Damon system can make the process faster and more comfortable than traditional braces. Instead of distracting bands, fastening brackets hold the wire in place.
The system is simpler for family orthodontics which means it requires less of your time and is less noticeable than traditional braces due to the lack of bands.
AcceleDent
There are some treatments available if you want to reduce the amount of time you spend wearing braces in Sandy. One of these options is AcceleDent, which is an FDA-approved electronic device.
This can help you straighten your teeth up to 50% faster than with braces alone. Plus, it only requires 20 minutes of use every day. The shorter timeframe is ideal for those wanting straighter teeth for an upcoming event.
Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign aligners work similarly to traditional braces but without the visually unappealing brackets and wires. Unlike braces, the Invisalign system requires a series of custom-made aligners.
Each aligner makes slight adjustments and is swapped out about every two weeks. The Invisalign treatment system can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months with Sandy orthodontist visits every four to six weeks.
TMJ Treatment
Searching for ‘TMJ treatment near me‘ will explain how temporomandibular joint disorder can occur and the options for treatment. Treatment can last 18 months to three years for most patients.
Treatment varies from braces/Invisalign aligners to therapies to oral surgery. That means that visits could be as frequent as every few weeks or longer.
Neuromuscular Orthodontics
Going to the orthodontist for TMJ treatment sometimes involves neuromuscular orthodontic treatment. While the above treatments focus on aesthetics (the visual appearance of your teeth), this treatment is different.
This treatment focuses on the muscles in the jaw that help with movement. Neuromuscular orthodontics can last anywhere from 14 to 24 months, though not necessarily in addition to the timeframe for TMJ treatment.
Follow-Up Care
Once you’ve completed your prescribed treatment, your visits to family orthodontics will dramatically decrease. Your orthodontist in Sandy, UT may even send you back to your regular dentist for follow-up care.
Be sure not to skip these follow-up visits. They monitor the changes in your mouth after orthodontic devices are removed. Slight changes are expected, but regular checkups help prevent major misalignments in the future.
Retainer Use
Some orthodontics patients, especially those with braces or Invisalign aligners, have removable retainers. Many patients are expected to wear these around the clock for the first four to six months after device removal.
Eventually, they transition to night-only wear, which lasts for six to 10 months. That means you should expect to wear your retainer for approximately one year after your orthodontics device is removed.
Talk To Your Orthodontist In Sandy, UT
The best way to determine how often you should visit your orthodontist in Sandy, UT is to talk with them about your treatment plan. With so many factors to consider, the estimated timeframe is different for everyone.
If you’re ready to discuss the best treatment for your orthodontic needs, contact us today to request an appointment.