The Right Time to Get Braces
Many of our patients ask us: When should we start orthodontic treatment? Various factors play a role in this decision—from the severity and type of misalignment to the type of treatment and your personal schedule. However, the start of summer vacation is always a great time to begin orthodontic treatment—whether with free braces or aligners.
As a general rule, most misalignments will worsen without treatment. For this reason, treatment with braces or aligners should never be delayed for too long.
Getting Started with the Invisalign Method
In our opinion, treatment can begin at any time, especially with clear aligners (the Invisalign method). The only change to your daily routine is before and after meals; after all, you should brush your teeth after every meal before putting the aligners back in.
The only change to the daily routine here is brushing your teeth regularly after every meal.
The Best Time to Get Free Braces
The free braces treatment uses metal brackets through which a wire is attached to the teeth and tightened. This allows the orthodontist to deliberately move the teeth in the desired direction so that, over time, the teeth become “straight.” This treatment usually takes between one and three years.
Since you have to brush your teeth especially thoroughly because of the brackets and wire during treatment with the free braces, this means a change in your morning routine. It also takes a few days to get used to having braces in your mouth. That’s why we first apply them to the upper jaw and then, a few days later, to the lower jaw.
Given the increased need for dental care and the adjustment period, we believe it’s best to start treatment right at the beginning of summer vacation. Starting early in the morning allows plenty of time for caring for the braces to become routine. Additionally, during the first few days, you’ll be able to control how much you want to speak with your new braces. Let’s get this out of the way right away: Most of our patients hardly notice their braces after just 1–2 weeks.
Parents also often tell us that they prefer to start their children’s orthodontic treatment at the beginning of the school break, since this way their children won’t miss any school due to initial consultations or appointments to have braces fitted, and it’s often easier for them to accompany their children to those first appointments given their work schedules.
In general, however, we always take the needs of our patients and their families into account when scheduling appointments.
How long does it take from the initial appointment to the start of treatment with the free braces?
At our practice, we can move very quickly if our patients wish. Thanks to our excellent organization, we can determine as early as the first appointment whether free braces are an option and explain all other treatment possibilities. After that, we can immediately take a digital 3D scan of your teeth, which Prof. Jonke often uses to design your braces on the very same day. Even new patients don’t have to wait long for their first appointment with us. We can usually find an available slot within 1–2 days.
Treatment typically begins with the application of braces to the upper jaw 1–3 days after the initial appointment. A few days later, braces can be applied to the lower jaw as well, meaning the biggest step toward straight teeth is already taken in no time.
We would be delighted to welcome you and your children as patients—simply get in touch with our caring reception team!