About orthodontic treatment
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is tooth extraction always necessary for orthodontic treatment?
Tooth extraction is done to create space in your mouth. This space can be used to align crooked teeth or to move your front teeth back and bring your lips in. The use of miniscrews has reduced the number of cases where tooth extraction is needed. However, an evaluation by an orthodontic clinic is important.
Q. Will orthodontic treatment significantly change your face?
This depends on your condition before treatment. If you want a major change to your facial appearance, you may have orthodontic treatment that brings about a major change. In general, changes to your side profile can be quite noticeable, and changes viewed from the front may also be significant. If you do not want changes to your face, orthodontic treatment can straighten your teeth without changing your facial appearance.
Q. How long do I need to wear a retainer?
Retainers are either fixed to the inner surfaces of your teeth or removable, so you can put them in and take them out yourself. We usually recommend wearing removable retainers for about as long as your orthodontic treatment lasted, and keeping fixed retainers in place for as long as possible.
Q. What should I do if I get tooth decay during orthodontic treatment?
We treat tooth decay before starting orthodontic treatment. At Perfect Dental Clinic, our in-house prosthodontist and restorative dentist is always available to provide care. Our dental hygienists also provide monthly care, which may lower the chance of developing tooth decay. If tooth decay develops during orthodontic treatment, the appliance may need to be removed for treatment if the situation is urgent. If the decay is minor, treatment can wait until after orthodontic treatment.
Q. I have an appliance on my teeth, but it’s been a long time since I visited the clinic.Can I continue orthodontic treatment afterward?
In these cases, an appliance may come loose, or other attachments may apply force in an unwanted direction, which could negatively affect orthodontic treatment.
Perfect Dental Clinic's orthodontic retreatment program explains the cost and diagnosis first, and then proceeds with treatment. We recommend visiting first to have your current condition assessed.
Q. Dental implantorCan I get orthodontic treatment if I have teeth with porcelain veneers?
If the dental implant is not in a position where the tooth needs to move, you may be able to have orthodontic treatment as usual. In some cases, orthodontic treatment can be done by replacing only the upper dental prosthetics. Special appliances are available to allow orthodontic treatment without restrictions when you have porcelain veneers.
Q. At what age can you start orthodontic treatment?
There is no age limit for orthodontic treatment, but the timing depends on its purpose. For children who need orthodontic treatment during growth, treatment usually takes place before puberty begins, except when an underbite of the front teeth is found. Treatment with standard orthodontic appliances usually takes place once all permanent teeth have erupted. However, it is very important to get an accurate evaluation from an orthodontic specialist.
Q. Am I too old to have orthodontic treatment?
As you age, your teeth gradually shift forward. This can cause them to become crooked and negatively affect your facial appearance and tooth alignment. Orthodontic treatment may help prevent this from progressing or help you regain a younger-looking facial appearance through treatment you had previously put off.
Q. I have a severe protruding mouth or underbite. Can orthodontic treatment alone treat it?
Miniscrews can now be used in more situations, and specialized appliances have been developed to help treat protruding teeth with prominent jawbones and underbites. This has greatly expanded the range of cases that can be treated without surgery, though it has not eliminated the need for surgery altogether. At Perfect Dental Clinic, we offer a nonsurgical orthodontic program designed to expand the range of cases that can be treated with orthodontics alone.
Q. Can facial asymmetry be treated?
This applies in very limited cases. If you are still growing, some factors that may contribute to greater asymmetry can be removed preventively so that future growth may proceed in the right direction. In adults, the skeleton is fully developed, so changes in appearance are very limited, but orthodontic treatment can help with asymmetry in tooth alignment.
Q. Is orthodontic treatment very painful?
People usually describe it as discomfort rather than pain. This discomfort may occur for several days when pressure is applied to your teeth. Perfect orthodontic treatment uses appliances and procedures that move your teeth with as little force as possible.
Q. How are clear aligners different from regular orthodontic treatment?
Clear aligners may not be suitable for you, depending on the condition of your teeth. However, with the right diagnosis and technique, they may be more effective in some cases.
Q. How long does clear aligner treatment take?
The duration varies depending on the condition of your teeth. It usually takes about 1 year and may take up to about 2 years.
Q. Is there a lot of pain when wearing clear aligners?
It is less painful than orthodontic treatment with appliances attached to your teeth. Pain is usually minimal, but how much you feel can vary from person to person.
Q. Can clear aligners correct crowded teeth?
It is difficult to give you a definite answer before checking the exact condition of your mouth. Sometimes patients send us photos of their teeth, but unlike images taken professionally at a clinic, these photos do not let us assess your bite, the angle of each tooth, or how your teeth are aligned in detail. For this reason, please visit a dental clinic for a thorough examination to find out whether clear aligners are suitable for you.
Q. How is lingual orthodontic treatment different from regular orthodontic treatment?
This varies depending on the individual’s condition. With an accurate diagnosis and appropriate procedure based on a thorough examination, treatment may be more effective.
Q. How long does lingual orthodontic treatment take?
Depending on the case, it may be more effective in some situations, but attaching an appliance to the outer surface of the teeth Takes about 3–4 months longer than labial orthodonticsYou can choose based on your priorities and condition, including appearance, cost, and treatment time.
Q. Is lingual orthodontic treatment very painful?
Q. When do you use rubber bands?
Elastics are worn to help the upper and lower teeth fit together properly. Depending on your condition, you may need to wear orthodontic elastics during orthodontic treatment.
Q. Are there any additional costs?
Q. Can I pay in installments?
Q. I only want a retainer. How much does it cost?
⚠ Costs may change, so please contact us to confirm them before proceeding.
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