What are the steps in the whole process of orthodontic treatment

The extractions are performed prior to treatment. Generally orthodontic extractions are symmetrical extractions of four or eight teeth. Extractions carried out under the guidance of a doctor will not cause any harm to the body, but it must be carried out in a regular dental hospital, especially in the extraction of wisdom teeth, do not be greedy for a moment of cheapness and damage to the teeth.

No more than two teeth should be extracted at a time, and usually the teeth on the same side are extracted together, which is conducive to the recovery of the teeth. After an interval of a week or so, if no particular abnormality or adverse reaction is found, you can continue to extract the teeth.

Step 2: Consultation and Examination

After deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment, you should first go to the orthodontics department of the hospital for a pre-orthodontic consultation and examination. During your first visit the doctor will talk to you to get a preliminary understanding of your teeth and ask you about the areas you want to straighten and the desired results you want to achieve. This generally includes what are your main concerns? How are your teeth aligned? What does your face look like when you smile? How is the harmony of your facial shape? How does your bite fit together? How your teeth function in chewing movements and the health of your teeth. After that, there are a series of preparations to be made: such as bite impressions (i.e., taking the model), taking a facial picture, x-ray localization film, and liver function tests. The doctor will determine the diagnosis and make an orthodontic plan based on the results of the data from the model analysis and x-ray projection measurements.

Step 3: Determine the treatment plan

During the first follow-up visit, the doctor will analyze your problem in detail and discuss the treatment plan with you, determining whether to extract the teeth, how many teeth to extract, as well as the course of the treatment and the cost and other practical issues. Generally, simple orthodontic treatment to align your teeth will not involve extractions, but treatment of more complex dental problems will involve extractions, and in some cases the doctor will recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed. This is determined on a case-by-case basis. Orthodontic treatment usually lasts between one and a half to two years. It will be shorter for younger and less severe patients and will be appropriately longer for adult orthodontics.

Step 4: Orthodontics first treat dental disease

Before orthodontic treatment, it is necessary to treat dental and periodontal diseases in the mouth, such as treating dental caries and cleaning dental calculus. This is very important, because only healthy teeth can be orthodontic treatment, if the teeth are not in good condition, will affect the process of orthodontic treatment, serious will also lead to treatment failure. So be sure not to ignore the dental condition check. Some people may go through a long periodontal treatment before they can undergo orthodontic treatment, but these are worthwhile.

Step 5: Fitting the braces

You can continue with your follow-up appointment after your teeth are extracted, and this is usually when your doctor will fit you with braces. Some severe malocclusions that are not treated with braces must be treated surgically.

After wearing braces, you should strictly follow the doctor's instructions and actively cooperate with the doctor so as to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment. In the three or four days after you first put on the braces, you will be uncomfortable with the braces and have mild pain, soreness, swelling and other uncomfortable feelings. This is a normal phenomenon and requires a period of time for the adaptation process.

Maintaining good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is also very important, because orthodontic treatment of teeth and periodontal tissues have decreased resistance to disease, poor oral hygiene will lead to teeth and periodontal caries more easily than usual.

Sixth step: regular follow-up

After the installation of orthodontic appliances, every month or so should be a follow-up. The orthodontist will gradually add strength to the aligners, depending on each person's treatment. This, in turn, can cause pain. Some people think that the pain is caused by too much force, but in fact the right orthodontic force can sometimes cause tooth pain. Therefore, using the appropriate orthodontic force in orthodontic treatment and preventing trauma from occurring is a measure to reduce pain. As the treatment time increases, the degree of this pain decreases.