How Often Should You Go To The Orthodontist After Braces?

You might be wondering how frequently you have to make appointments if you intend to get orthodontic treatment in the future. Your circumstances will determine how frequently you return.

During the first year following the completion of your orthodontic treatment, you will have two retainer check-in appointments. If you still have wisdom teeth, you will then have a yearly appointment to have them checked.

To help you better understand what to anticipate before, during, and after your orthodontic treatment, we’ll explore this question in more detail in this article.

The First Visit

By age 7, a child requires an appointment with an orthodontist. This is done in order for a specialist to detect any misaligned teeth as soon as possible—the earlier the problem is discovered, the simpler it will be to correct. At this age the jaw is also still growing, so an expander would be possible if needed.

During Treatment With Braces

Expect to visit your orthodontist every four to eight weeks while receiving treatment if you have braces.

Your braces will be changed, adjusted, and/or the wires tightened by the orthodontist. These appointments are for monitoring the development of your teeth and determining how much movement there is. Additionally, they might offer you fresh rubber bands for your braces.

For routine check-ups, these appointments should last around 20 minutes; for treatment adjustments, they should last longer. In order for your doctor to monitor how your treatment is progressing, you should try to adhere to the schedule they have provided you.

During Treatment With Invisalign

You can anticipate visiting the orthodontist every four to six weeks while wearing Invisalign Teen or other aligners. The specialist will examine your teeth to see if they are adjusting as they should and determine whether your treatment needs to be altered, just like with conventional braces.

Making a mold of your current teeth will likely take up one of your Invisalign appointments. There will be X-rays and pictures taken, so don’t anticipate a quick appointment. Through this process, dental professionals will be able to precisely fit your aligners and see which of your teeth require correction.

Do not skip any of the recommended appointments by your orthodontist; they are just as crucial as they would be with conventional braces. They want to confirm that you are wearing them frequently enough and that they are functioning properly. In the alternative, the dental orthodontist might remodel your mouth to accommodate a new set of aligners.

During Treatment With Other Appliances

Expanders or headgear might also be used to treat you. You should anticipate visiting the office every four to eight weeks. The frequency of your appointments with your orthodontist will be communicated to you.

Your dental orthodontist will want to see you frequently enough so that they can catch any problems developing in your mouth, regardless of the type of treatment you are receiving. Depending on your oral health, they may even ask you to visit more or less frequently to ensure everything is going smoothly.

After Treatment

Your dentist will probably give you a retainer to wear at night once you’ve finished any type of orthodontic treatment. Your teeth won’t shift back into their misaligned positions thanks to these. Retainers are essential for post-braces care, so skipping out on them could have detrimental effects.

Your orthodontist will advise you on how often to wear removable retainers. Once the braces have been removed, this is frequently constant for 4-6 months, after which it is only at night. After getting braces, you should plan to wear a retainer for about a year. You risk having your progress halted if you stop using it before your orthodontist gives you the all-clear.

After using Invisalign, you will also require a retainer. This is due to the fact that your teeth are still being adjusted and may shift back to their original positions even though they move your teeth in a different way than braces do. You don’t want your smile to undo the progress you’ve made! Use your retainer to its fullest potential.

Once your treatment device has been taken out, it’s common to notice your teeth shifting. You can anticipate more appointments after treatment and recommendations from your orthodontist.

How Often to See the Orthodontist After Your Treatment

You now have a straight, radiant smile because the hardest part is behind you. However, you will still need to see your orthodontist regularly.

Your orthodontist will examine your teeth at your follow-up appointment, which typically occurs a month or two after the end of your treatment, to determine if they have moved from their ideal position.

Your orthodontist might approve of night-only wear if you were given a retainer to wear during the day. Your orthodontist may also make additional adjustments, fix any damage or loose parts, or remove your permanent retainer entirely if you had one fitted.

Read More: How Long Can You Go With A Loose Bracket

Conclusion

You will visit two retainer check-in appointments following braces treatment in the first year, and then once a year to check on your wisdom teeth, if you still have them. We can track your development and make sure your smile retention is proceeding according to plan with the help of these visits. Please bring your retainers to these appointments so that we can make sure they fit properly.

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