When embarking on orthodontic treatment, it’s not possible to leave everything solely in the hands of the orthodontist, says Dr. Menachem Roth of Carvalho and Roth Orthodontics in Newton Centre, Marlborough, and Northborough, Massachusetts. To get the best results, a strong partnership between orthodontist and patient is needed, as he explains here.
While the orthodontist’s responsibility is to design the treatment plan and create the goal and objective of the treatment, the orthodontic patient does have responsibilities as well. And only with this relationship, and with both parties working together, can you have a great final result.
The first thing for the patient to do is critical: That is maintaining excellent oral hygiene. When the braces are on, plaque and food are much more likely to get stuck and develop decay, and without a diligent cleaning, the teeth can be subject to decay and food and plaque left in place can cause the teeth to develop white spots, known as decalcifications.
During the process of the orthodontics, while the braces are in place, patients should maintain their regular cleaning and maintenance visits with their regular dentist. Some patients even choose to have their teeth cleaned and checked more frequently than every six months to maintain the best oral hygiene possible.
Keeping Appointments
Another aspect relates to appointments. All appointments that the orthodontist recommends should be kept. Any time a visit is skipped it needs to be made up, and oftentimes if too many are skipped, that will extend the length of the treatment.
The orthodontist will ask you to perhaps wear elastics or use a particular type of appliance, and once again, those things need to be done as they are directed. Without them, the treatment is not progressing and you could often end up in a holding pattern all because of the patients not doing what is asked of them. What the orthodontist prescribes is critical to the treatment moving along at the right pace, with the patient not losing time.
Broken Appliances
Any time an appliance is broken or a brace is broken that is going to delay the treatment as well. This is because it needs to be put back in place and then the wire usually needs to be stepped down a size when the new braces go back on. That again will slow the progress of the treatment.
With this in mind, great care should be taken to avoid sticky and hard foods that are notorious for breaking braces. Also, care should be used when eating in general to avoid breaking appliances and damage to braces.
Again, the four main responsibilities orthodontic patients should take to heart are:
- Hygiene, including the right techniques for brushing and flossing
- Visiting the dentist regularly
- Care when eating, and not eating the wrong foods
- Responsibility with appointments
Excellent orthodontic results depend on a partnership between the orthodontist and the patient, and both parties need to work together. That is the only way you will get a great smile at the end of your treatment program.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
