YOUR FIRST VISIT
The first time you visit our office at Grimsby Orthodontics, we will perform a complimentary smile assessment which involves examining your smile, teeth, jaws and the relationship of your teeth to your jaws. This allows us to determine whether orthodontic treatment is needed. Following your assessment, we can discuss the various options you have for creating that beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
TREATMENT DURATION
The amount of treatment needed to correct a problem determines how long orthodontic treatment will take. Patients react differently to orthodontic treatment and therefore treatment time varies from patient to patient. For one patient it may only take 18 months to complete treatment, while another patient could require 24-30 months of treatment. Treatment time depends on how your body responds to tooth movement and how much work is needed to give you the gorgeous smile you’ve always wanted. Contact us at Grimsby Orthodontics to learn more!
REGULAR APPOINTMENTS
After your braces have been placed or your Invisalign trays have been inserted, we need to let your braces, wires and aligners do their work. We don’t necessarily need to see you back every month, therefore we make your next appointment according to your individual treatment plan.
COST OF TREATMENT
The cost of orthodontic treatment for you or your child depends on the complexity of the case and the estimated time it will take to correct the misalignment or problem.
To give you an idea of how much treatment may cost, we schedule an initial consultation to examine the teeth, jaw and relationship of the teeth to the jaws. Then we can determine the best options to produce the results you desire. You will get a personalized treatment plan and our full attention, and we’ll be happy to address any concerns you might have before moving forward.
INSURANCE/FINANCIAL INFORMATION
At Grimsby Orthodontics, we make orthodontic treatment affordable for both you and your family. The cost of orthodontic treatment varies depending on your needs and your orthodontic treatment plan. We offer in-house payment plans and several payment options, which we can discuss with you at your initial consultation. Our goal is to design a payment plan that works for you and your smile.
If you have any questions regarding your insurance coverage or how payment works, we are more than happy to help make your entire orthodontic experience a pleasant one.
EMERGENCY CARE
While we do our best to prevent it, discomfort can occur while you are undergoing treatment. Here is a list of possible scenarios and how to go about treating them.
1. Food caught between your teeth – This is not an emergency, but can be a little uncomfortable or embarrassing for someone with braces. It is easily fixed with a piece of dental floss or an interproximal brush.
2. Ligature Comes Off – Tiny rubber bands or small, fine wires, known as ligatures, hold the wire to the bracket. If a rubber ligature should come off, you may be able to put it back in place using tweezers. If a wire ligature comes loose, simply remove it. If the wire ligature is sticking out into your lip or cheek, it can be bent back down with the end of a pencil eraser to stop the irritation.
3. Discomfort – It is normal for you to feel discomfort for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted, and this can make eating uncomfortable. This is normal and temporary and within a few days the discomfort should disappear. Eating soft foods will help to reduce the discomfort you experience when eating.
4. Mouth Sores – Some patients are more susceptible to getting mouth sores. One or several areas of ulceration of the cheeks, lips or tongue may appear. A small amount of topical anesthetic such as Orabase or Ora-Gel applied directly to the area can help relieve the discomfort. Reapply as needed.
5. Irritation of Lips or Cheeks – New braces can be irritating to the mouth, especially when the patient is eating. A small amount of wax makes an excellent buffer between the brace and the mouth. Pinch off a small piece of wax, roll it into a ball the size of a small pea and flatten the ball over the area causing irritation. If the wax is accidently ingested, there is no harm. Just replace the wax to allow the irritated area to heal.
6. Protruding Wires – Occasionally, the end of a wire dislodges from a bracket or works itself out of place, causing irritation to your mouth. Depending on how long the wire is, you can use wax to cover the area until you can schedule an appointment to see us. If the wire is extremely bothersome and you are not able to see us anytime soon, the last resort would be to clip the wire. Reduce the possibility of swallowing the snipped piece of wire by using folded tissue or guaze around the area. A pair of sharp nail clippers can be used to clip the wire.
7. Loose Brackets, Wires or Bands – If a bracket has come loose, or a band or wire is broken, please contact us as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Brackets can be knocked off if you eat hard or crunchy foods that you were instructed to avoid, or if you were knocked while playing sports.
8. Piece of Appliance is Swallowed – Swallowing a piece of appliance is rare, but if it does happen, it can be alarming to the patient. Remain calm. If you start coughing excessively or have difficulty breathing, you may have inhaled or aspirated the piece. Tell your parent or guardian and seek medical attention immediately.
Watch this video to see how to fix common problems that may occur with your braces.
ORAL HYGIENE AND DIET
It is important to maintain a healthy diet while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Avoiding sticky, sugary foods will reduce the amount of plaque, tartar, and buildup on your teeth and also reduce the risk of tooth decay.