You’ve been waiting and waiting for an orthodontic consultation, finally the day comes… and you do not remember what you wanted to ask your doctor;) Here’s your checklist with questions my Patients often ask.

1. Do I need the orthodontic treatment?

I know this may sound obvious… but some of the people who come to the office don’t really need orthodontics. These Patients do not have perfectly aligned teeth, but their smile looks aesthetically pleasing and there is no functional problem. I always suggest to such patients that they should seriously consider whether they really do not accept their smile 🙂 If you do not feel 100% motivated to wear the braces and you have a question whether you really want to … it’s better not to put it on.

2. In my case, will it be necessary to extract (remove) a tooth?

It is important and it is better to know about it right away and to set yourself up properly 🙂 In my medical practice there are many cases where I use extractions. I know how Patients, who learn about the need to remove their teeth, react after such news. It is better to analyze the subject beforehand to sort everything in your head as soon as possible and accept the treatment plan.

3. Which appliance should be used? Which orthodontic brackets are there to choose from?

Depending on the malocclusion, different types of orthodontic appliances may be needed. Sometimes, apart from orthodontic brackets, which are fixed on the teeth, additional elements may be needed, which are mounted on the palate side. This increases the cost of treatment and requires getting used to – so it’s better to know in advance 🙂 Choosing the brackets – I think this is a very important issue! Personally, I don’t like working with aesthetic brackets (sapphire, porcelain …) and I warn my patients right away that they have several types of brackets to choose from, but all of them are metal (classic, rhodium-plated, gold …). I explain why I work with chosen system and how it affects the treatment. I see that the conversation about the brackets’ types is very important for the Patients.

4. How often are orthodontic checkups?

It happens that a Patient who comes to start the orthodontic treatment is convinced that after fixing the brackets it is enough to meet once every six months 🙂 Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Check-ups usually take place every 6-8 weeks, at later stages of treatment every 4 weeks, but there are also situations in which we meet even every 2 weeks. It is better to ask about it earlier to be aware of how often you need to appear in the office and enter it in your schedule for the next 2 years 🙂

5. What are the alternative treatment plans?

This is a very important question. It concerns, for example, patients who have in simplified terms, the withdrawal of the lower arch in relation to the upper one and the withdrawal of the chin in the profile. For such people, two solutions are possible: camouflage, i.e. treatment with the extraction of two teeth in the upper arch and retraction of the front upper teeth – in this situation, the chin stays in place; or orthodontic and surgical treatment: the maxillofacial surgeon moves the mandible forward (i.e. the teeth in the upper arch are not removed) and thus the chin is brought to its normal position in the profile. We do not have several treatment options in every case, but if they exist: it is worth knowing about them to make a conscious decision to start orthodontic treatment, knowing its possibilities and limitations.

6. The length of the treatment.

Depending on the malocclusion, the treatment time may vary significantly. In some patients, the estimated range is 1.5 – 2 years. For others, 2.5-2, etc. We are not able to predict everything (such as the current epidemic, which significantly prolonged the treatment of many patients), but be aware of whether the treatment will belong to the longer ones.

7. What complications can occur during orthodontic treatment?

This is a very important question. It is worth asking them in order to be fully aware of the risk and decide to start orthodontic treatment. The most common complication is caries! Of course, it can be avoided by brushing your teeth thoroughly and often and giving up certain foods. I will not list all complications, ask your doctor for consultation 🙂

8. https://doktoraparatka.pl/en/what-you-should-know-before-starting-an-orthodontic-treatment-with-a-fixed-orthodontic-appliance-part-1-prepare-your-teeth-for-fixing-up-the-braces/

9. https://doktoraparatka.pl/en/what-you-should-know-before-starting-an-orthodontic-treatment-with-a-fixed-orthodontic-appliance-part-2-what-should-you-buy-before-starting-treatment-with-fixed-orthodontic-appliance/

11. Will I have to change the shape of  my teeth after the treatment?

On this topic I wrote an entry on my Instagram account, I will copy it here 🙂

Often, after several months of wearing the device, after the initial alignment of teeth, patients notice that the teeth are not evenly rubbed. Then they ask to change their shape, most often by shortening their incisal edges. Earlier, when the teeth were crowded, this difference was not visible to them. Why is it worth waiting with this decision? Look at the photo above, it was taken during treatment, after the initial alignment of teeth. I put on them the shapes that these teeth might have had before rubbing the incisors. See how long they are and how much better the smile line looks like? If I “leveled” the incisal edges of these teeth to one line, shortening the teeth, the patient’s smile would look much less aesthetically pleasing. Remember that an orthodontic appliance cannot change the shape of your teeth. If they are damaged, after completing the orthodontic treatment, you can design the shape of the smile to suit the patient, rebuild the tooth structure with composite material or porcelain, and change the shape of the gingival garland. 🌸

12. What retention will be needed? How high is the risk of the defect coming back?

Much depends on the malocclusion and, unfortunately, on the existing habits. The biggest problem I face is tongue pressing between the teeth (when resting or swallowing). A strong tongue is able to protrude the teeth over time, open gaps between them, or lead to recurrence of overshot teeth. Therefore, an important element of orthodontic treatment is retention and regular checkups even after removing the orthodontic appliance.