Your Orthodontic Guide

Your First Orthodontic Appointment

What you can expect

Your initial appointment is a chance for our team to get to know you and vice versa. We will perform a thorough orthodontic evaluation to assess the current status of your smile. We will also discuss any concerns and smile goals and develop your personalized treatment plan with those in mind. You can be sure we’ll take the time to listen, answer your questions, and explain exactly what we’re doing every step of the way.

Our complimentary orthodontic evaluations include a bite assessment as well as dental scans and digital X-rays. We also take photographs and panoramic scans. Digital scanning technology allows us to show you what you can reasonably expect as a result of treatment.

Your Treatment Plan

Affording your care

The team at Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha provides a financial consultation as part of this all-important first appointment. We will discuss all treatment options and outline all of the costs before any treatment begins. Our team is happy to help you navigate the payment options we have available so you can easily afford your care. We’ll work closely with you to find orthodontic solutions that allow you and your family to achieve the smiles you want within your budget.

assistant performing dental exam on young patient

Our Friendly Orthodontic Experts Help

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ADDRESS MISALIGNMENT ISSUES

oral-health

IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH

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MAINTAIN HEALTHY SMILES

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What Happens Next

Starting your orthodontic treatment

When you’re ready to move forward with treatment, our team will review your personalized treatment plan and schedule your next appointment. In most cases, treatment can begin on the same day. The first appointment is always the longest because it involves placing your orthodontic appliances. However, subsequent visits are much shorter. We will see you at regular intervals to monitor progress and make adjustments as necessary to keep your treatment on track.

Maintaining a Healthy Smile

Why regular dental visits are still important

Keeping up with regular visits to your general dentist is still important during orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist is focused on improving your bite and fixing alignment issues, while your dentist plays a crucial role in safeguarding your oral health. Receiving regular checkups and professional cleanings will ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy and that you can prevent any complex dental issues from arising.

Addressing Developing Orthodontic Issues

With interceptive orthodontics

Interceptive orthodontics is a proactive, early intervention approach to orthodontic treatment for kids. Getting ahead of orthodontic problems while your child’s jaws are still growing can make a big difference in the type of treatment they need. We can identify areas of concern, such as misalignment and crowding, as well as issues that might prevent the permanent teeth from coming in or potentially affect dental-facial symmetry. We can then make targeted corrections to optimize your child’s future smile. Through early treatment, we can guide their growth and help them avoid major orthodontic issues when they are teens. Children should receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7 to determine their need for interceptive care.

Timelines of Orthodontic Treatment

How long does it take?

The duration of orthodontic treatment varies significantly because every patient has their own specific needs when it comes to orthodontic care. These general timelines are meant only as a helpful guide. Your or your child’s own orthodontic journey may differ:

  • Interceptive orthodontic treatment usually takes around 12 months from the initial orthodontic evaluation.
  • Braces for adults and teens take between 12 and 30 months, on average.
  • Invisalign treatment for adults and teens usually takes 6 to 24 months.
young woman holding invisalign aligner

Achieving the Best Results

Why treatment protocols are so important

To achieve the best outcomes from orthodontic treatment, especially Invisalign, it is important to follow the correct treatment protocols. This can be a challenge for some teens, but it is an essential part of the process. If your teen finds it difficult to wear their aligners as instructed, reach out to our team, and we can provide additional education and encouragement. Another option is to transition their treatment to traditional braces. However, additional treatment costs will apply.

Retaining Your New Smile

Maintaining results after treatment

Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, we’ll take new scans and form an individualized retention plan to make sure your teeth stay in alignment long term. Then you’ll receive a retainer (or set of retainers) to prevent the teeth from trying to shift back to where they were before treatment began. We will also adjust your new custom retainers to make sure they fit comfortably. You should wear your retainers for life, and we encourage annual retention checks.

Afford Your Care at Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha

Choose from convenient options to finance your treatment.

At Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha, we offer a range of flexible payment options. These include cash or credit, as well as flexible payment options through CareCredit and Healthcare Finance Direct.

Find a payment solution that suits your needs.

Our team can help you find the right payment option to suit you so you and your family can access the orthodontic treatment you need.

Learn More About Deerwood Orthodontics Waukesha’s Services

Contact our team today to find out more about the treatments we offer. We’re here for you and your family and look forward to helping you create healthier smiles.

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