By Lucas Elias
If you’re currently planning an orthodontic consultation appointment for you or your child, then it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed by all of the questions and concerns that you might have on your mind.
Orthodontic treatment can be very complex due to how it varies on a patient-by-patient basis, and this is why consultation appointments are an important step to initiate the treatment journey on the right foot. We’ve partnered up with an esteemed orthodontist dublin ohio in Dr. James Karpac of JK Orthodontics to provide some of the common questions that he receives during his consultations on a daily basis.
So, take it from the orthodontic specialists in that the following questions are important to ask your orthodontist during your consultation appointment!
How long will my orthodontic treatment likely last?
There are many factors that play into orthodontic treatment timelines, including the overall difficulty of your treatment and severity of your misalignments.
Although your orthodontist will give you an estimated timeline during your consultation appointment, there will always be room for interpretation and unexpected delays.
How often will I need adjustments?
Ever patient is unique in terms of how often they’ll need orthodontic adjustment appointments, and this frequency also depends up on the type of treatment the patient chooses.
It’s common for orthodontic patients to get adjustments every 4-6 weeks, and these adjustments are important because they ensure that the treatment remains effective and efficient.
How much discomfort can I expect during my orthodontic treatment?
Discomfort is common among braces patients, and this is particularly the case during the first two weeks of treatment as patients get accustomed to their new appliance.
Some patients also require additional appliances like tongue tamers or rapid palatal expanders, and these types of orthodontic tools can sometimes increase discomfort levels.
But what’s most important to know is that your discomfort during orthodontic treatment will always be temporary, because you’ll likely not be able to even feel your braces once you’re used to them!
Is it safe to play sports while wearing braces?
Yes! However, you should definitely let your orthodontist know about what sports you play during your consultation appointment.
The vast majority of contact sports require a mouthguard, and most braces patients should invest in a customized orthodontic mouthguard to protect their braces and teeth during practices and games.
Can orthodontic patients start treatment when they have gum disease?
A patient’s gum disease status will be thoroughly reviewed during your consultation appointment, and your orthodontist will evaluate whether or not the treatment process should begin before or after the gum disease has been treated.
It’s possible that you might need a referral to a periodontal specialist or your general dentist before you can begin the treatment process, and this is a necessary precaution to ensure that a patient’s gums and teeth are healthy enough for orthodontic treatment.
Will my braces affect my speech?
It’s normal for braces patients to initially have some difficulties speaking shortly after their braces treatment begins.
The good news is that any speech difficulties that you experience while getting used to your new braces will quickly dissipate as your gums, tongue and teeth get used to your braces.
What food should I avoid during orthodontic treatment?
It’s very important for braces patients to understand which food products they should avoid during their treatment process, and this includes any crunchy or hard foods that could potentially damage rubber bands or brackets.
It’s always a very good idea to ask this question during your consultation appointment, and your orthodontist will likely provide a comprehensive list of foods and drinks that should be avoided during the treatment process.
What’s your orthodontist’s policy on broken brackets?
Orthodontists tend to have varying policies when it comes to how they handle broken bracket scenarios for their patients, so it’s a good idea to learn more about an orthodontist’s specific procedures and policies regarding these surprising mishaps.
This means that you should ask how many broken brackets/appliances you’re allowed to have before there are any additional repair fees. These types of repair fees usually range between $30-100, depending upon the orthodontic office.
Do you offer appointment times during after-school hours?
This is a very valuable question for a lot of families, because there are many people who can only make it to orthodontic appointments during after-school hours.
It’s also possible that these appointments are hard to book at certain offices, so you should get a good idea of what you can expect from these types of appointment times.
Will I need to wear a retainer after my treatment ends?
It’s also a good idea to understand what you can expect from an orthodontist’s retainer protocol during your consultation appointment, and this will also include details like the types of retainers an orthodontist uses.
Retainer usage is very important for all orthodontic patients, so it’s smart to plan ahead for these investments in order to avoid any additional fees on that special day when your braces come off!
Contact JK Orthodontics When You Need an Orthodontist in Dublin Ohio!
The above questions are just a tiny glimpse into the many concerns that you should keep in mind while you’re planning out you or your child’s orthodontic treatment journey. Consultation appointments are your time to ask an orthodontist all of the questions that you have, and we hope that this list will point you in the right direction during your upcoming consultations.
If you’re looking for an experienced orthodontist in the Dublin Ohio area, check out the link at the top of this page and speak directly with Dr. James Karpac of JK Orthodontics to ask him some of the questions that are on your mind!
