It can be hard to feel your best when you’re self-conscious
about your teeth. In fact, studies from the American Dental Association reveal that over 20% of
U.S. adults today:
- Avoid smiling because of the condition of their teeth.
- Feel embarrassed by their smile’s appearance.
- Experience anxiety in public because of how their teeth look.
★ That’s over 30 million people!!
Thankfully, modern orthodontics has made it easier than ever to obtain a perfect smile. Aided by digital
tools,
improved
hardware, and cutting-edge
treatment methods, forward-thinking practices like Beverly Hills Orthodontics can correct
alignment issues with efficiency, accuracy, and comfort. “But what exactly does
‘treatment’ entail,” you
ask?
Below, we describe the different steps of orthodontic treatment in greater detail, beginning when we meet
at your initial consultation and ending with the final retention phase. Keep reading for a better
overview of the BHO orthodontic process, and when you’re ready to start treatment, simply contact
one of BHO’s
four Los Angeles offices to schedule a consultation.
The First Step in Orthodontic Treatment: Schedule a Consultation
As you may expect, the first step in orthodontic treatment is attending a consultation with your
orthodontist.
As you may expect, the first step in orthodontic treatment is a consultation with a BHO Smile Specialist.
(Side Note: If you’re not in town, we can meet virtually online!)
Your first orthodontic appointment sets the stage for the rest of your treatment process. During this
appointment, your Smile Specialist will discuss your personal goals and what you want to improve. During
in-person consultations, we will:
- Take digital scans of your oral anatomy
- Create a 3-D model of your dentition with dental software
- Use the computer-generated model to take photos and scan your teeth and bite
- Reveal your (virtually) straightened smile
After these steps, your orthodontist will be able to answer more specific questions, like:
- Which specific alignment issues are affecting your smile?
- Do you qualify for any specific treatments? (e.g., Invisalign,
Lightforce braces, braces,
accelerated
orthodontics, Inbraces Lingual braces, etc.)
- How long will treatment take to complete?
Together, you and your orthodontist will determine which treatment path works best for your medical needs
and lifestyle.
The Second Step in Orthodontic Treatment: BHO Plan Customization
BHO will analyze and customize your plan using our BHO method to fully personalize your treatment so it
matches your goals and timeline. We will also review our BHO packages and the exclusive concierge
membership.
The Third Step in Orthodontic Treatment: Begin Active Treatment
At this appointment (your second visit), you get your trays, braces, LightForce braces, or Inbraces
Linguals. Active tooth movement will ensue as we gently nudge the teeth into a straighter position using
Invisalign or wires. Treatment duration is influenced by factors like:
- What type of misalignment is being corrected
- The severity of the misalignment
- Which treatment method your orthodontist is using to move your teeth
For patients interested in a shorter treatment period, accelerated orthodontics can reduce treatment
times significantly. Accelerated
orthodontic procedures and oral devices are available to qualifying patients.
During active treatment, we want to check in with you—virtually and in-person. The frequency of
these appointment intervals is anywhere from 4-12 weeks, or longer if you’re connected virtually.
When undergoing Invisalign treatment, you’ll have fewer orthodontist appointments because
Invisalign aligners come in full sets.
As active treatment progresses, you can discuss with your orthodontist how frequent your remaining
appointments should be.
The Fourth Step in Orthodontic Treatment: Retain. Maintain. Repeat!
The fourth and final step in orthodontic treatment is keeping your teeth straight!
Once your braces come off or you finish progressing through your Invisalign sets, your perfect smile will
be in place. To keep it there, it’s essential that you use a retainer. For the first 6-12 months,
patients typically wear a retainer 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week. For the second year after treatment,
you’ll wear a retainer every night. From the third year on, you only need to wear your retainer a
few nights each week. Today, there are three major
types of retainers:
- Vivera retainers, which resemble Invisalign clear aligners
- Permanent retainers, which are metal and permanently bonded to the back of teeth
(these come with an overlay of Vivera set)
- Hawley retainers, i.e., traditional removable retainers
Learn more about cleaning your
retainers and why you need replace them periodically to maintain
straight teeth.
During all four steps of orthodontic treatment, you still need to visit your general dentist for a
cleaning every 3-6 months. This helps keep everything moving smoothly and maintains healthy tissues.