Steps of Orthodontic Treatment.

- New Patient Exam

-Records taken by assistant (Diagnostics x-rays and Photos) used for Dr. L to determine course of treatment.

- Depending on treatment that's required these may be the following steps...

Itero: Don’t like the mess and stress of having to take an impression? No worries, we have a scanner that is fast and simple. Our Itero scanner can scan for things like; retainers, habit appliances, Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) and Invisalign to name a few.

*For fixed appliances the patient is scanned and the lab fabricates the appliance, at the scan appointment separators are placed between the teeth where the fixed appliance will be attached. Separators are only needed for fixed appliances/Seps can be placed one to two weeks prior to fixed appliance delivery. We schedule it for two weeks prior so that the parent is making less trips to the office.

1. A. Fixed appliance therapy: The appliance is "fixed" to the teeth with dental adhesive

-RPE ‘Rapid Palatal Expander’ goes on the upper arch (most frequently used appliance)

1. B. Phase 1 Braces (Interceptive treatment)

- Patient has need for either upper or lower braces (usually not both arches at once for a Phase 1) Typically the upper arch has braces placed from E-E with some brackets being placed on primary teeth. On occasion a patient will lose a primary tooth with a bracket on it. It is not an emergency and can either be removed from the arch wire by using a toothpick to remove the color tie, or it can be left alone until the patient’s next appointment. Most Phase 1 cases are about 12 months long. These visits are typically eight weeks apart.

1. D. Full braces (Comprehensive Treatment)

-Patient is older and has need for top and bottom braces to align teeth, close spacing, and correct bite with elastics that are placed and removed by the patient. Typical case length is 18-24 months. Visits are typically six weeks apart. Most comprehensive cases will receive clear retainers, or Essix to retain their straight teeth. Recommended wear time is nightly 8-10 hours until patient reaches the age of 18. Hawley retainers are seldom recommended for retention unless requested by parent, and permanent retainers are not recommended due to maintenance/cleaning issues, and the possibility of breakage.

E. Invisalign

-Patient is typically an older candidate who would prefer not to have traditional braces. They are scanned for aligners. Upon arrival of the trays composite is glued to specific teeth recommended by Invisalign for the best outcome. Patient wears aligners 22 hours a day, removing for eating and brushing. These visits are normally 10 weeks apart and the outcome is based almost solely on the patient’s cooperation. When treatment is over, the attachments are removed and essix retainers are fabricated in office.

At Kids Rock Orthodontics we offer multiple ways to keep that amazing smile looking good and the bite aligned. The items for retention include; Clear essix retainers, Hawley (with metal wires) and lower fixed retainer.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends all kids get check out by your local Orthodontist around the age of 7 years old.