Your Consultation
At your first visit to Martin Orthodontics, diagnostic records may be created to determine the best course of treatment. These records may include a detailed medical/dental history, clinical examination, plaster study models of the patient’s teeth, photos of the patient's face and teeth, and/or X-rays. This information is used to develop a custom orthodontic treatment plan for each patient. These records are also very helpful in tracking the progress of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.
After Dr. Martin has evaluated all this information, he will discuss your treatment with you in detail, including the estimated costs and the estimated length of time for your particular course of treatment & procedures.
Your First Visit: Getting Braces On
On the day you’re getting your braces put on at Martin Orthodontics, you can expect to be at the office for about one to two hours. During this time, Dr. Martin will be attaching the braces to your teeth - this process is called bonding, since he bonds the brackets to the front of each tooth with a bonding material (like glue) that holds the bracket in place. He then affixes the bands to your back teeth and runs the archwire in between each bracket. Finally, Dr. Martin attaches the o-rings to hold archwire in place.
You can ask Dr. Martin about many style and comfort options, including:
- Invisalign - an alternative to traditional braces
- InVu Brackets - if you're looking for a more natural look
- Colorful O-rings - to express your own personal style
To learn more about the different parts of braces, click here to learn how braces work. To choose the colors you want, click here to go to the Style Center.
What to Expect: Pain or Soreness
Generally, the bonding process doesn’t hurt. But it might feel a little uncomfortable getting all this stuff put in your mouth. Most patients get used to the braces within a week or two, so don’t worry if it feels weird at first. Click here for more information on living with braces.
Many patients who have just had their braces put on might feel a little sore, especially in the first few months - this is because the teeth are moving and putting pressure on the upper and lower jaw bones. This usually gets better over time, but for those who feel pain, a simple pain reliever (like Tylenol or Advil) usually relieves the discomfort. If you have severe or prolonged pain, please alert Dr. Martin immediately.
Your cheeks and gums may also become irritated by the metal in your mouth. You can use wax on your braces to reduce the discomfort. Dr. Martin will show you how.
Follow-up Visits: Adjusting
After you get your braces put on, you’ll have to come in approximately every four weeks for an adjustment. But don’t worry: the adjustments only take about 5-10 minutes, and you usually don’t need any numbing agent. Be sure to tell Dr. Martin everything you’re feeling, especially if you’re in any pain, or feel numbness in the mouth.