How Long Does It Take When Getting Braces Put On The First Time, and What Do They Do To Prepare You?
Getting braces is a significant milestone in life, as it can help improve your appearance and jumpstart your self-confidence. It’s completely natural to have tons of questions regarding the process since if you haven’t had braces yourself, you might not know what to expect. While you might initially feel anxiety when contemplating getting braces, you can move forward feeling more comfortable with the whole process once you know the details of the procedure.
How long does it take to get braces?
In general, it will take about 2 hours to have braces put on for most clients. Braces are applied in the following steps:
- Your orthodontist will clean and dry your teeth
- Your orthodontist will apply a unique adhesive to the teeth to hold the brackets in place
- The brackets are attached to the teeth using the bonding glue
- Horizontal wires are connected to the brackets to stabilize them
- Tiny rubber bands are used to secure the wires to the brackets
How can I prepare for getting braces?
- Get a referral – Ask your regular dentist to recommend a good orthodontist who has a reputation for excellent results and a stress-free treatment process. The dentist can send over your x rays and alert the orthodontist ahead of time to any specific issues you might have with your teeth.
- Attend a consultation – You will meet in private with your orthodontist to discuss your options for braces and find the best solution for aligning your bite and improving your smile. You will have new x rays taken, and a mold of your mouth will be created as a foundation for designing your braces.
- Confirm your treatment plan –Your orthodontist will create a personalized plan for resolving your cosmetic and functional problems with your teeth. Braces can help to correct an overbite, an underbite, gaps in the teeth, or overcrowding.
- Discuss your oral care – Your orthodontist will go over the best practices for brushing, flossing, and caring for your teeth while you have braces. Small spindle toothbrushes can help remove food particles that get lodged in and around the brackets and wires.
- Go over dietary restrictions – You must follow your orthodontist’s instructions when eating certain foods while wearing braces. You should take care to avoid crunchy foods such as apples and hard, sticky foods such as candies. Eating small bites, in general, will ensure that your brackets stay in place and that your treatment progresses smoothly without interruption.
- Make adjustments – If your braces are uncomfortable in any way, you don’t have to grin and bear it! Your orthodontist can adjust your brackets or wires in such a way that you feel more at ease. They may also make other adjustments that help your treatment progress and evolve as the teeth shift with time.
- Attend follow-up appointments – It may be tempting to skip your follow-up appointments, but you have to regularly visit the dentist to ensure that your mouth stays healthy and clean while you have braces. The dentist will have special tools to clean between the wires and brackets in ways that are difficult to mimic at home.
What is the takeaway?
Whether you are excited to have braces or feel anxious just thinking about it, knowledge is your best friend when approaching the procedure. The more you can find out about how braces work, the more confident you will be when embarking on your journey towards an even, attractive smile.
Browse online materials, watch videos on YouTube, and speak with your orthodontist in-person to gather a realistic and thorough understanding of what having braces entails. One day in the future, when you are all done with your treatment, you will be delighted you got braces. A balanced, beautiful smile is a lifelong treasure. Schedule a consultation today!
