Orthodontic Progress

I am beginning to see some orthodontic progress. I am excited about seeing my space getting smaller. The space is the gap that was left when my baby tooth was removed. Another small space has opened up on the other side which will allow the crowded teeth to shift over. No movement has been planned for the crowded area yet, so I just have to be patient. I am taking care of my aligners and have not left them at home again. I can drink with them in, but have to remove them to eat, so there is some planning required. I know what will happen if I don't wear my aligners enough, so don't leave them out of my mouth too long. With orthodontic aligner treatment, the wear time is the biggest problem I see. It works, but you have to wear them all the time.

In order to see orthodontic progress, planning needs to be done before the case is started. First, you need to have a discussion with your dentist concerning your goals. What do you want the finished result to look and feel like? Do you have a time line for the end of treatment? Have you considered other alternatives to meet your goals? Are you willing to make the necessary commitments to carry you through treatment and maintenance? These are all points that should be discussed before you embark on any long term treatment. Orthodontic treatment is a long term commitment. You won't be finished in just a few visits. The office you go to has to be convenient enough that you don't mind going back every few weeks. You have to have a good relationship with your dentist and the staff. You have to be able to honor your appointments and stick with the schedule for wearing the aligners if that is the method you are using.

After the goals are worked out, your dentist will need to plan the treatment. If orthodontics are involved, the teeth and gums need to be healthy before treatment can begin. This is a good reason to be a regular dental patient. The people we see on a maintenance basis usually have the need for very little active treatment if they have been following our hygiene recommendations. When those patients decide they want to have orthodontic treatment, we can usually begin right away. If there is decay and gum disease present, they need to be taken care of before any orthodontic treatment is started. In order to see orthodontic progress, you need to start. If your mouth is unhealthy, you can't start, so there is another reason to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

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