Top 5 Ways to Shorten Orthodontic Treatment Time
Child patient with braces at a dental appointment
Dedication, precision, and patience—these are three requirements for successful orthodontic treatment, which typically take at least two years. A common question patients or parents of patients ask is, “How can I shorten my treatment time?” Although every case is different, there are ways to avoid lengthier treatment times. Here is a list of the top five things you can do as an orthodontic patient to shorten your treatment time.
1. Keep Appointments and Arrive Promptly
It’s important to maintain your regular orthodontic appointments, which are typically spread out on a bi-monthly basis. A lot can happen beyond the two-month mark, so you want your orthodontist and their dental team to evaluate your progress and make any necessary appliance adjustments.
An orthodontist's lobby
Arriving on time is important as well. Office staff and dental staff work with one another to plan patient appointments according to the following:
Specified procedure
Time required for procedure
Staff member availability
Clinic availability
Coordinated treatment plan
Even being 10 minutes late could throw off your scheduled appointment, as well as other patients’ appointments. It’s imperative that you show up to every appointment and arrive on time to make sure that everything in your treatment plan is completed without delay.
2. Avoid Breaking Appliances
Braces are very sturdy, but when treated poorly they can break. Breaking your braces could add more treatment time to your plan. Avoid breaking your appliances by saying no to non-recommended foods, quitting poor mouth-related habits, and
Say No to Non-Recommended Foods
Woman reaches for a healthy snack on a table.
Your orthodontist and their team members should have given you a list of foods to avoid while on our treatment plan. A lot of items on that list are candies, snacks, and treats that some patients find hard to resist. Yet it’s important to stick to recommended foods, because biting on anything that’s too chewy, sticky, or hard can cause your appliances to break. That can add unnecessary time to your treatment plan.
Quit Poor Mouth-Related Habits
Part of the reason many patients need braces in the first is because of poor mouth-related habits, such as mouth breathing, thumb/finger sucking, etc. These habits can cause the jaw to narrow and teeth to shift, requiring orthodontics to fix any malocclusions. Patients who refuse to give up these habits could find themselves breaking their appliances due to physical pressure applied to the teeth and jaw.
Avoid Sports-Related Injuries
Most orthodontists will encourage patients to continue their extracurricular activities, such as sports or musical instruments. Sometimes accidents happen while playing sports, and the rougher the contact sport, the higher the chance is that you could get hurt. While it may be difficult to avoid injury altogether, following your orthodontist's instructions and wearing a mouthguard while playing sports can reduce your risk of mouth injuries.
3. Wear Rubber Bands and Appliances Properly
We get it, wearing your elastics or adjusting your appliances is not the most fun part of the day. It feels like one more thing added onto your already packed schedule. However, wearing your elastics is essential to applying added pressure to the appliances, which helps to ensure desired results. Make sure you follow your orthodontic team’s instructions when it comes to wearing your rubber bands.
Additionally, certain appliances, like palate expanders, require adjustment at home. It’s important that these appliances are adjusted and worn properly. Doing so will help you maintain your expected completion time.
4. Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene
A man brushes his teeth while looking in the mirror.
Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day are a necessity for everyone, regardless of whether or not you’re on an orthodontic treatment plan. However, for those who are wearing braces or aligners, it’s crucial to maintain proper oral hygiene by choosing to brush twice daily and floss once daily. By doing so, you’re ensuring you won’t need any additional treatment or procedures.
In conclusion, shortening treatment time isn’t always guaranteed, but adhering to these tried-and-true practices can keep you on track with your orthodontic goals. We hope this helped to answer some of your top questions on the subject.
If you’re in Abilene, Merkel, Sweetwater, or the surrounding cities in West Texas, we would be happy to meet with you to discuss your options. Whether you’re considering braces, aligners, palate expanders, or other orthodontic treatments for kids, teens, or adults, we can provide a personalized consultation to help you make the best choice. Call us at (325)695-0170 or contact us.
