How a patient can help
Orthodontics is often a slow process and requires a team effort from the patient and the orthodontist. The time spent with the orthodontist is a fraction of the overall treatment time and most changes occur over time during everyday activities.
As a patient it is important for you to do the following things:
- Maintain excellent (not just good) oral hygiene.
- Wear all appliances, elastics, headgear, retainers as instructed.
- Look after your braces and avoid activities and food which could dislodge or damage the appliances.
- Minimise sweet and acidic food and drink to help keep the teeth healthy.
- Keep all appointments as scheduled.
- Attend your dentist or school dental therapist for regular check ups.
TREATMENT TIME
You will be given an estimated time required to complete your treatment based on clinical experience with similar cases. Occasionally treatment time may exceed our estimate for various reasons. Lack of facial growth, variation in response to treatment, poor cooperation, broken appliances and missed appointments are factors which lengthen treatment and affect the quality of the result. The patients who follow their instructions get the best results.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
We will discuss these with you before and during your treatment. We are here to help you achieve the best possible result. This information is provided so that our patients are aware of the risks associated with their treatment. You are invited to discuss anything to do with your treatment before, during or after we see you. We are here to help you achieve the best possible result.
