The Process of Getting Braces – Plano, TX

Preparing You for Orthodontic Treatment

At Willow Bend Orthodontics of Plano, Dr. Jones, Dr. Amerson and her team go to great lengths to provide transparent and honest information to all patients. As a trusted orthodontist in Plano, she will walk you through the process of receiving braces, wearing them throughout treatment, and what you can expect once the braces come off. Because it is a time commitment, you will need to make sure you’re ready (and able) to take on the task of wearing braces, no matter if they’re traditional metal appliances, clear aligners, or one of the many other available solutions. To give you greater insight into what you can expect when starting your orthodontic treatment, here is a breakdown of the process of getting braces. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.

Customizing Your Treatment Plan

A young girl wearing purple glasses smiles while showing off her new braces put into place by her orthodontist in Plano

After you’ve completed your initial consultation with Dr. Jones or Dr. Amerson, they will create a formal treatment plan that focuses on the type of orthodontic treatment you will receive as well as how long you can expect to wear your braces to achieve desired results. It is normal for every patient’s experience to be different, as your case will vary greatly from someone else. During this appointment, she will also capture impressions of your teeth and use them as a guide to show how your braces will move and shift your teeth in the right direction.

The Placement Process

A young woman wearing glasses smiles before going to see her orthodontist about getting braces

When you arrive for your orthodontic placement, an orthodontist near me will thoroughly clean your teeth to remove any debris that could hinder the placement of your brackets. Once your teeth are properly conditioned, she will prime your teeth and begin to place each bracket on the front surface of each tooth. Before your appointment is over, she will take an arch wire and thread it through the brackets. The bends throughout the wire will allow for the maximum amount of leverage as your teeth begin to shift.

Discussing Oral Care

A digital image of metal brackets being placed onto the surface of each tooth

Once your braces are firmly in place, Dr. Jones or Dr. Amerson will go over tips, techniques, and the importance of maintaining good oral health throughout your treatment. If you develop tooth decay or gum disease while wearing braces, this can pose a significant problem and potentially delay your treatment. Knowing which tools, products, and methods to keep your teeth, gums, and metal fixtures clean are imperative. Do not be surprised if she recommends an interdental brush to easily get between brackets and underneath your wire as well as a water irrigator to effectively floss between teeth without having to maneuver traditional dental floss.

Necessary Adjustments

A person using an interdental brush to clean between their brackets and underneath the metal wire

While wearing braces, you will be expected to keep your follow-up, routine visits with Dr. Jones or Dr. Amerson. These appointments involve adjusting your arch wire and keeping adequate pressure on your teeth to keep them moving in the right direction. Whether it is tightening the wire or replacing it altogether, Dr. Jones will be able to monitor your progress and make suggestions that can improve your oral health and move your teeth along quicker.

Regular Dental Appointments

An orthodontist examining a patient’s smile during a follow-up appointment

In addition to your orthodontic appointments with Dr. Jones or Dr. Amerson, you’ll also be expected to maintain regular dental appointments, too. Your dentist will be able to check for signs of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. They will also work alongside your orthodontist to make sure everything is moving along as it should, and no problems are developing that could hinder the success of your orthodontic treatment.

Foods to Avoid

A dentist performing a checkup on a female patient who is wearing braces

A pivotal part of wearing braces is knowing which foods to eat and which ones to avoid. Naturally, this is an unwelcome discussion for most patients, but the truth is that if you don’t pay attention to what you’re eating, you could easily damage your metal appliances and delay your treatment. Hard foods (i.e., candy, bread, fruits, vegetables) should be avoided as well as anything sticky like caramel or gum. If you want to eat an apple, carrots, or another hard vegetable or fruit, make sure to cut it up into small bites for easier consumption.