Visiting the orthodontist for the first time can seem daunting, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Luckily, your initial appointment is simply an opportunity to learn more about your unique needs, ask questions, discuss your concerns, and receive expert treatment recommendations.

Orthodontic treatment not only helps you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of, but it also improves your oral health and dental function, which is crucial for effective chewing, clear speech, and overall well-being. Whether you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or a loved one, understanding the steps involved in the initial consultation can help alleviate any stress or nerves and set the stage for a successful treatment journey.

The first visit to the orthodontist lays the groundwork for your future smile. The comprehensive process is designed to assess your orthodontic needs and provide potential treatment plans so you can understand every aspect of your care. But what exactly happens during this initial appointment? In this article, the American Association of Orthodontists guides you through each phase of the first visit, from the initial paperwork and exam to treatment discussions and financial planning.

Preparing for Your Initial Consultation

To ensure a smooth and efficient first visit, coming prepared is essential. Whether you send these items via email or bring physical copies to your appointment, you should provide the following:

• Dental and medical history records, including any medications
• Dental Insurance information
• Associated medical professional information, including your general dentists and primary care physician
• Any questions or concerns you have about orthodontic treatment

Remember, this visit is as much about getting to know your orthodontist and their team as it is about them assessing your orthodontic needs. This appointment is your opportunity to gather information, ask questions, and establish a comfortable rapport with your orthodontist.

Visiting the Orthodontist for the First Time? You Can Expect These 7 Things

Your initial visit to the orthodontist is geared toward creating a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your specific goals and needs. During your first visit, your orthodontist works to lay the foundation for your treatment plan with a variety of techniques. Here’s what typically happens:

1. Introduction and Paperwork

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the orthodontic office staff, who will provide you with some paperwork to fill out, if you haven’t already completed this online. This paperwork is crucial as it gathers vital information such as your medical and dental history, personal details, any specific health concerns you may have, and your treatment preferences. These details are essential as they help us tailor your treatment plan to best suit your individual needs and ensure your comfort and satisfaction throughout your orthodontic journey.

2. Initial Examination

After completing the paperwork, you will meet your orthodontist for the first time, which begins with thoroughly examining your teeth, jaws, and bite. This exam aims to assess the current state of your oral health and identify any issues that need to be corrected with orthodontic treatment, such as overcrowding, misalignment, or bite problems. During this exam, your orthodontist may use several diagnostic tools, including:

• X-rays: X-ray imaging provides a detailed view of your teeth’ position, roots, and jawbones.
• Photographs: Your orthodontist may take facial and dental photographs to help plan your treatment and track your progress.
• Impressions: Molds or digital scans of your teeth may be taken to create a model of your teeth or to create custom appliances for your treatment.

3. Discussion

Following the exam, your orthodontist will discuss their findings with you. This conversation helps you understand any orthodontic issues the doctor sees and their implications on oral health. The orthodontist will also explain potential treatment options, including the types of braces or aligners that could be used and what you can expect during the process.

Now is also the perfect time to ask questions or express any concerns. Whether it’s about the treatment process, duration, or outcomes, your orthodontist can provide clear and comprehensive answers to ease your mind and help you understand the process.

4. Treatment Plan

Based on the initial exam and your discussion, the orthodontist will propose a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will detail the recommended course of action and which orthodontic appliances will be used. You’ll also learn about the expected duration of treatment, what outcomes you can anticipate, and any potential risks or limitations associated with the treatment plan.

5. Financial Consultation

If you have not yet discussed the financial aspect of orthodontic treatment, the orthodontic team will present the cost of treatment, available payment options, insurance coverage, and any discounts or payment plans offered at this point of your visit. This financial consultation ensures you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about proceeding with and paying for your treatment.

6. Scheduling

Once you’ve agreed on a treatment plan and discussed payment options, the next step is to schedule your upcoming appointments. This may include the appointment to begin treatment, where braces or aligners are applied or provided, or an additional visit for further assessments if needed. Scheduling your next visit marks the official beginning of your orthodontic journey toward achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.

7. Follow-Up

Depending on the complexity of your case and the specifics of your treatment plan, you may need to schedule additional appointments for further assessments, adjustments, or to check your progress. These follow-up visits are integral to the treatment process, ensuring everything moves forward as planned.

Take the First Step Toward Your Perfect Smile with an AAO Orthodontist

Your first orthodontist appointment begins an exciting journey toward achieving your healthiest, best smile. This comprehensive visit sets the foundation for your treatment plan, tailored specifically to your needs, and paves the way for successful orthodontic results. From the initial paperwork to the thorough examination, discussion of treatment options, and financial planning, each step is designed to ensure you are fully informed and comfortable with the process.

However, before the consultation begins, it starts with choosing the right orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) only admits highly educated, licensed, and certified orthodontists for membership, ensuring all members deliver the best standards of care.

Start your orthodontic journey today by finding an AAO orthodontist near you and scheduling your first appointment.

The post What Happens at Your First Orthodontic Appointment? A Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.

While this may seem harmless, fashion braces can have serious consequences on your oral health and may even worsen your bite and teeth alignment. In this article, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) explores the dangers of do-it-yourself braces at home and offers safe alternatives to fake braces.

What are Fashion Braces?

Fashion braces, as their name implies, are fake orthodontic wires and brackets that look like real braces but have no functional use in aligning teeth and jaws. Individual retailers are selling DIY fashion braces kits online, which include the “brackets” and “wires” and a dental adhesive to hold the fake appliance to the teeth. In more extreme scenarios, customers are visiting the homes of unqualified and unlicensed individuals to have fake braces applied to their teeth, which the internet has termed “basement braces.”

Fashion braces are only the latest addition to the rising online trends, following tooth gems and non-prescription glasses. Fashion trend-chasers are racing to get their set. However, even if they only appear real, fashion braces can negatively impact oral health, tooth alignment, and safety.

Are Fake Braces Safe? The Dangers of DIY

For those looking to achieve the metallic grin past generations tried to avoid in middle school, fashion braces can be a significantly cheaper option than the real thing. It can seem easier, more convenient, and more cost-effective to buy a DIY kit online and glue braces to your own teeth, but the health risks involved could ultimately raise the price tag. After all, if fashion brackets don’t fall off on their own, you may need to visit a dentist to get them (or the adhesives they can leave behind) professionally removed. And this is just one possible consequence. If you’re considering fashion braces, it’s essential to be aware of these serious health risks:

Uncontrolled Tooth Movements

Even though they are not designed or applied in a way that makes them functional orthodontic appliances, fashion braces are still glued and cured to your teeth. This applied pressure can naturally encourage your teeth to move, potentially leading to unwanted and detrimental misalignment and tooth damage. If this occurs, you may need to visit an orthodontist to correct the damage with real orthodontic appliances like traditional braces or aligners.

Poisoning

Unlike orthodontic braces, fashion braces are typically sold online by local sellers or applied by unlicensed individuals who have not completed dental school or an orthodontic residency. Because fashion braces are not made, sold, or applied by medical professionals, it can be difficult to discern their ingredients. Fake brackets and wires may contain harmful and potentially poisonous chemicals like cadmium or lead. These metals, if present in the product and in your mouth for a long enough time, can cause liver damage, cancer, and heart disease.

Choking and Oral Cuts

Whether applied at home or in someone’s basement, having an unqualified individual apply any appliance to your teeth comes with major risks of oral damage. The dental glue most often used for fashion braces is not the strong, medical-grade adhesive that orthodontists use, increasing the chance of the brackets or wires becoming loose and falling from the teeth. Loose wires or brackets can scratch and cut your gums and cheeks, and if they fall off completely, they become a choking hazard, leading to dangerous consequences and potentially costly hospital bills.

Infections

Beyond the potential presence of toxic chemicals, there is no way to confirm the quality of the materials used to create fashion braces. Unlike the braces at your local orthodontist’s office, fake braces are not made or manufactured from medical-grade materials in sterile and safe environments.  Low-quality materials can raise the risk of oral infection, especially if the fashion braces cut or irritate your gums and oral tissues. In fact, Thailand banned fake braces in 2018 after they caused infections that led to the deaths of two adolescents. Authorities found that the infections occurred when heavy metals seeped from the appliance into oral tissues.

The Scary Reality of Do It Yourself Braces

While the trend of fashion braces has gained traction on social media, attempts to straighten teeth at home have been happening for years. Do it yourself orthodontics might seem like a simple, cost-effective solution, but it can come with serious consequences. One example is an 8-year-old boy whose DIY attempt appeared to work initially but resulted in costly complications.

The boy used a rubber band to close the gap between his front teeth, but when the rubber band disappeared, he assumed it had broken and fallen out. In reality, it had slipped under his gums, causing pain, swelling, and, ultimately, the loss of both front teeth.

After nearly four years of treatment, orthodontists were able to repair the damage, but the boy’s experience is a strong reminder of the dangers of DIY braces.

Safe Ways to Straighten Teeth

While it’s exciting to see young people embracing the braces look, that doesn’t mean that fashion braces are the best option. After all, just because you see something on the internet doesn’t mean you should join in. 

Not only can fashion braces have serious consequences for your oral health, but because they’re cosmetic-only, they won’t give you the beautiful smile that typically comes with braces. The only truly safe way to achieve the brace-face look and maintain or enhance your oral health is through orthodontic treatment with a qualified dental professional.

If you’re considering fashion braces, we recommend visiting an AAO orthodontist instead, as they can provide you with tailored recommendations and plenty of braces colors to help you achieve both your unique aesthetic and a healthy smile. Plus, there are a variety of braces types to help you customize your look while correcting any tooth or jaw alignment issues:

• Traditional braces are known for their efficiency and affordability. They consist of metal brackets and wires that guide the teeth into the correct positions. These brackets can be customized with a wide variety of colors.
• Ceramic braces provide an almost invisible look, blending in with your teeth seamlessly.
• Designer braces can add fun accents to your appearance with special shapes like stars, hearts, and even sports-themed designs. They are still an effective and safe solution that can help you achieve the exact look you’re going for.

No matter your motivation for seeking orthodontic care, we recommend going the safe route and discussing your needs with an AAO orthodontist.

Join the Braces Trend with an AAO Orthodontist

If you’re browsing for the perfect fashion braces kit, pause your search and think about the potential side effects. Is the trendy look really worth the risk? After all, potential poisoning, infections, oral damage, tooth decay, and unintended tooth movement can have serious long-term impacts on your health and your smile. 

The safest way to apply braces is through a professional. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is an orthodontist-exclusive organization, meaning that only orthodontists who have completed the additional 2-3 years of postdoctoral orthodontic education beyond dental school are admitted. When you visit an AAO orthodontist for treatment, they will work with you to provide safe and effective treatment options to achieve your desired look while creating a healthy, beautiful smile.

To explore your braces options and find a safe alternative to fashion braces, schedule a consultation with an AAO orthodontist today.

The post The Rise of Fashion Braces: Why You Should Avoid This New Trend appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.

A palatal expander is a dental appliance commonly used to help address various teeth and jaw issues, known as malocclusions. Reasons why a patient might need a palatal expander include:

• Crossbite: Misalignment of the teeth, when the upper teeth are positioned behind the corresponding lower teeth when the jaws are closed. A palatal expander can correct a crossbite by widening the underlying bone, preventing uneven wear, gum recession, and jaw problems.
• Crowding: A narrow jaw can lead to inadequate space to align teeth ideally. The expander can create space for your orthodontic specialist to shift your teeth into their proper positions.

Who Might Be a Candidate for a Palatal Expander?

A palate expander is most commonly used to treat growing children and young teenagers. An orthodontist can determine the appropriate age for a patient to have an expander as part of their custom treatment plan by considering age, skeletal maturity, and gender. Appropriate use of expansion therapy can help, in some cases, avoid tooth extraction, tooth impaction, or excessive flaring of teeth.

If cases are not corrected with an expander while a patient is still growing, they may experience asymmetric jaw development, abnormal tooth wear, and bite problems, which can require surgery to fix in adulthood.  

The AAO recommends consulting with your orthodontist to determine the best treatment options.

Are There Different Types of Palate Expanders?

There are several different types of palatal expanders. Your orthodontist will determine the best option for you based on your unique orthodontic condition.

• Rapid Palatal Expanders: This is the most commonly used expander, comprised of metal bands or rings affixed to molars and connected by a metal framework spanning the palate. Equipped with a screw mechanism at its center, the RPE gently widens the upper jaw over time when activated with a key.
• Bonded Expander: Alternatively, this expander uses an acrylic attachment, which is permanently affixed with dental cement or bonding material throughout treatment.
• Removable Expander: For milder cases, this expander provides a flexible solution that a patient can remove for cleaning, eating, and other activities. It consists of a custom-made acrylic plate that fits the patient’s mouth comfortably and securely.

Are Palatal Expanders Safe & Effective?

Yes, these appliances have been used for decades to treat orthodontic issues and are safe and effective, especially when under the careful supervision of an orthodontic expert. There can be some discomfort as you adjust to your new expander, but it is minimal and only lasts for a short time. Expanders with proper care, cleaning, and regular checkups by an orthodontist are very effective. Palatal expanders are a fantastic tool in an orthodontist’s toolkit and may play an essential role in correcting your orthodontic issues. 

Visit our Orthodontist locator page to find an AAO orthodontic specialist in your area and set up a consultation today. 

The post What is a Palatal Expander, and What is it Used For? appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.