Getting braces is a huge step, but if you know how to get braces the right way, you will not feel very overwhelmed. At Central Coast Orthodontics, we talk to people every single day who are nervous about starting their smile transformation. And to be honest with you, we totally get it. It can be intimidating to consider braces. But once you understand the way to get braces the right way, everything suddenly makes sense. For us, it’s not just about making your teeth perfectly straight. It’s about making you feel confident, comfortable and informed.

Start With The Right Consultation

We always start with a proper consultation. This is, in fact, more important than most people think. When you come to our clinic, we will not rush you. We will take the time to understand your concerns, your expectations and your goals.

We will take a close look at your teeth and in most cases, we take X-rays or digital scans to get a complete picture of your teeth. At the same time, we will encourage you to open up to us. Perhaps you are embarrassed about spacing, or perhaps you are embarrassed about crowding. Whatever your concerns are, we want to hear them.

From there, we will explain to you how to get braces in a manner that suits your needs. By the end of this step, you will already feel confident about what is to come.

Preparing Your Teeth

Before we even begin with the braces, we ensure that your teeth are healthy. We do not skip this step. We will ask you to take care of any plaque or cavities that may have formed before we even begin with the braces. This will ensure that your teeth are strong and healthy throughout the process.

Impressions of Your Teeth

Next, we take detailed impressions or scans of your teeth which helps us create an accurate model. We use this model to plan out every movement of your teeth.

At Central Coast Orthodontics, we take the time to plan out your treatment so you can see exactly how your smile will change over time. This is also where the process of how to get braces becomes personal. Your plan is created only for you.

Getting Your Braces On

Now this is the part of the process that everyone always asks about. And we always reassure our patients before we begin.

We clean your teeth well and dry them. Then, a special adhesive is used to attach small brackets to your teeth. Finally, a thin wire called an archwire is connected to all of these parts.

You may feel a little pressure, but no pain is involved. The process takes about an hour or two. And after that, you will walk out of our clinic wearing your braces and your process will officially begin.

Now this is where you will learn how to get braces firsthand.

Living with Braces Day to Day

The first few days may not be very comfortable. We have always prepared you for this. Your teeth may hurt a little, but this will disappear after a few days.

We also help you with food. We recommend that you do not eat hard and sticky foods because they may damage your braces. We recommend that you take soft food, especially during the initial period.

Your oral hygiene will also become very important during this period. We will teach you how to brush your teeth so that you do not have any problems. We will also teach you how to floss so that you do not have any problems.

Visiting our clinic will also help us monitor your progress. We will adjust your wires and ensure that everything is moving in the right direction. Therefore, if you are consistent, you will start noticing changes before you expect them.

How Long Does It Take?

You want to know how long? We are asked this a lot. The answer is different for everyone. Most of our patients have braces for a year or three years.

But every smile is different. Some take longer than others. Still, your commitment is a big part of the process. If you do what we recommend and come in for your appointments, you will be fine.

So, when we are discussing how to get braces, we are also discussing how to be consistent throughout the process.

Retainers Keep Your Smile in Place

Once we remove your braces, we don’t just send you out into the world and wish you good luck. We want your results to last.

We offer retainers that are right for you. Some patients want a removable retainer, while others want a fixed retainer. We will help you choose the right retainer for your needs and teach you how to use it correctly.

If you use your retainer correctly, your teeth will be exactly where they should be.

Final Thoughts

At Central Coast Orthodontics, we think that getting braces should not be a stressful and confusing process. Once you know how to get braces, the process is a lot smoother and rewarding.

We are by your side every step of the way, from your first visit to your last. And with the right information, a little waiting, you will have results that are well worth the wait.