Orthodontic treatment can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years to complete depending on the severity of the problem that needs to be fixed and the equipment being used. There are three phases when it comes to the orthodontic treatment process: the planning stage, the active phase, and the retention phase. Let’s take a look at the three phases from your orthodontist in Ft Lauderdale.
The first few visits to the orthodontist will consist of all the planning involved in the orthodontic treatment process. X-rays will be taken, evaluations will be done, and photographs will be taken. Everything will be done at this point to get both yourself and the orthodontist ready to begin treatment. This phase is crucial for your orthodontist in order to realign the teeth in the most effective and expedient way.
After all the research and diagnostics are done, the orthodontist will recommend a device to fix the teeth. They can be traditional braces that are attached to the teeth using wires and brackets or they can be a removable device such as Invisalign. During the active phase, you will continue to see your orthodontist in order to make sure that everything is going smoothly and so the orthodontist can make any adjustments that might be necessary.
After the allocated time the braces have to stay on is complete, the braces will be removed and your orthodontist will create a custom retainer for you. This is called the retention phase. The goal of the retainer is to ensure that the teeth do not begin to shift back to their original positions.
If you are looking for an orthodontist, come see us at TLC Dental. Contact us today to learn more.
