At Dr. Ross Taddeo Orthodontics, we want you to feel comfortable with your treatment. If you have crooked or crowded teeth, braces are the best way for you to reclaim your smile. Whether you or your child needs orthodontic treatment, you can get all the facts for your peace of mind. One question you might have is how often your braces need to be tightened.
Why Do Braces Need Tightening?
If you need braces Stoneybrook East, any type is a good choice for straightening your teeth. Over time, your braces must be tightened. They work by putting pressure on the teeth to allow them to shift into the proper position. This helps regardless of whether you are straightening crooked teeth or correcting the problem of crowding.
As your teeth continue to move into their new position, your braces begin loosening and losing the pressure necessary to continue working. This requires adjustment and tightening them so they can accommodate the new positioning of your teeth. When the orthodontist makes those adjustments, it involves replacing the elastics and rubber bands with new ones.
How Often Do Your Braces Need Tightening?
Regardless of whether you need braces or East Orlando braces for kids, you will have to visit the orthodontist for periodic tightening. When you’re new to wearing braces, it’s wise to ask questions, so you might want to ask the doctor how often you need it. You should be scheduled for appointments appropriately every four to six weeks. The orthodontist will check your braces and tighten them as needed.
This is just a general average time to expect to need your braces tightened. Every patient is different, so some may need more frequent tightening while others can go longer before needing their braces tightened. Whatever the case for you, it’s crucial to follow all instructions from the orthodontist.
Can You Avoid Braces Tightening?
In most cases, there is no way to avoid getting your braces tightened. If you skip your orthodontic visits and adjustments, your braces won’t work. This means your teeth will no longer shift into their proper position and you will have wasted a lot of money for nothing.
There is one other option when getting braces at Stoneybrook East, self-ligating braces are made so that they can adjust on their own while repositioning your teeth. They use a special ligature mechanism that allows the brackets to slide. However, you still need periodic appointments so the orthodontist can check your progress and change the wires every so often. Self-ligating braces are also more expensive than other types, so they may not be for everyone.
If you need East Orlando braces for kids, clear aligners, or any other orthodontic treatment and would like to come to Dr. Ross Taddeo Orthodontics in Orlando, contact us at your earliest convenience.