How to Stay on Course and Avoid Delays on Your Treatment Time

Here at Gonzales Orthodontics, we understand that delaying treatments aren't ideal and patients often ask us what they can do in between their adjustment visits to help speed up the process so they can get out get of braces sooner. Today, Dr. Gonzales and our team thought we would provide some tips on how you can stay on track in regards to your treatment time.

The most important thing we want you to do is keep your adjustment appointments. Each visit is carefully planned to move your teeth a specific way in a certain time frame. It’s important to note that missing an appointment can add weeks or months to your treatment time.

Next, we want you to contact our office right away if you experience any problems with your braces or appliances. A missing wire, rubber band, or broken bracket can delay treatment time if not replaced for a long time, so we ask that you please give us a call right away to report any issues rather than waiting until your next visit.

Make sure you wear your rubber bands as prescribed by Dr. Gonzales and our assistants. Most, if not all, of our patients will need to wear elastics or rubber bands at some point during their treatment. Not wearing the bands or elastics, or not wearing them enough, can slow down your treatment time. Rubber bands are critical in aligning your bite and are important for the bite-fixing phase of your treatment. Any accessory or attachment is critical to your treatment plan so please follow your instructions adamantly.

Finally, we want you to maintain good oral hygiene, just as you did before your treatment began. In addition to flossing regularly, we encourage you to brush your teeth several times a day (at least 3). Not brushing will allow sugar to wear away the cement on the braces, making them less effective in moving your teeth, as well as elevate your risk of developing cavities or tooth decay, which will inevitably delay treatment time.

If you have any questions about any of these tips, or if you have any general questions about your treatment, please give us a call.