Wondering About How Braces Are Applied? Here’s the 411.

May 29, 2023

More than four million children and adults in the U.S. and Canada combined are in the process of receiving orthodontic treatment. It’s likely that many of those people wondered beforehand about how the process works. Some of them were probably even worried about it. 

Flagstaff, AZ is here to give you the lowdown. Everyone in our office is an expert in the field of orthodontics. We gladly give our patients as much time as they need to ask questions and tell us about any of their concerns. 

The process starts with a consultation with the orthodontist so he (or she) can examine your situation, evaluate your needs and give you clear explanations about your treatment options and their timelines. In the next stage, he takes X-rays and impressions of your upper and lower teeth. 

If you’re not a candidate for clear removable aligners (sets of transparent plastic aligners that you change every two weeks), you’ll get customary braces. They’ll be the traditional type (thin, stainless steel brackets) or ceramic (the brackets are a translucent substance).

Before the orthodontist puts your braces on, though, you’ll need to prepare your teeth and gumline by having your dentist or dental hygienist rid them of plaque and tartar. The braces-application process takes one to two hours. The orthodontist will apply an adhesive substance to your teeth and meticulously attach the brackets to your teeth. He will then connect the brackets using an archwire. Ligatures hold the archwire in place. 

You may feel discomfort during the following three days as your teeth get used to the braces’ slight pressure. Over-the-counter pain medication can relieve the discomfort, and the orthodontist will likely recommend that you eat soft foods (yogurt, soup, pudding, smoothies) to ease your transition. If any components of the braces rub against your inner cheek, you can find relief by covering the offending element with dental wax from a drug store.

Flagstaff, AZ is dedicated to providing the ultimate in skilled and considerate care. For more information, please don’t hesitate to call us today for an appointment. We look forward to finding out how we can help you.