At any one time, approximately 4 million people in the United States are wearing braces. Of this number, around a quarter are adults, highlighting the popularity of braces for people of all ages. As long as a person’s oral health is good, there is no age limit on getting braces.
If you aren’t completely satisfied with the appearance of your teeth or smile, braces are a wonderful option. There are many different reasons why people get braces, including overlapping teeth, spacing, crowding, and bite issues.
In this blog post, we will highlight what you should expect from your San Jose orthodontist appointment with Dr. Boschken at Boschken Orthodontics. If you are considering getting braces, keep reading!
Arrive and Feel at Home
Fear of the dentist or orthodontist, in this case, is a common issue, affecting between 13% and 24% of people around the world. Dental anxiety can make visiting a dentist or orthodontist difficult, which can put oral health at risk. That’s why, at Boschken Orthodontics, we are committed to providing an experience that puts our patients at ease from the moment they arrive.
When you arrive, you will be greeted by one of our staff members. We will show you around our state-of-the-art clinic and answer any questions you might have so that you feel comfortable. Soon, your visits to our clinic will start to feel like coming home!
For many people, fear of the dentist comes from negative experiences in their youth. The thought of visiting an austere office can be incredibly off-putting. Check out this page to see our warm and modern San Jose orthodontist office.
San Jose Orthodontist: Allow Us to Introduce Ourselves
We understand the importance of trust when it comes to orthodontics. It’s important that our patients understand who their orthodontist is and learn about their experience and training, as this can further put them at ease.
In San Jose, we have a wonderful team led by Dr. David R. Boschken, who has decades of clinical experience. Dr. Boschken and his team use the most advanced orthodontic techniques and technology to improve the experience of our patients. You can learn more about our team in San Jose here.
Photographs, X-Rays, and Digital Scans
In order to understand the complexity of your dental issue and determine the most suitable strategy to take, we will take a series of photographs, x-rays, and digital scans. These will be used to determine a diagnosis and will serve as a visual aid when discussing treatment options. We will also perform a physical examination of your teeth and bite.
Depending on your oral health needs, there are a number of options available. These include Invisalign clear aligners, available as Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, and Invisalign First. Other treatment options include Damon Q System, Damon Clear, Propel, and the VectorTAS System.
We will explain the pros and cons of each of these options and make a recommendation based on your oral health needs. Here, we will highlight the process for each option, the average length of treatment, the cost, and other factors that will help with choosing the right option.
Discuss Process and Financing
Every case is different, so we will create a customized treatment plan for each patient. In some cases, initial dental work such as extractions will be required before the braces themselves can be applied. Once everything is ready to go, the braces themselves will be applied at a subsequent orthodontist visit.
Getting braces applied is a straightforward and painless process; there is nothing to be anxious about. Any discomfort or soreness you do feel will go away after a few days and you will quickly become used to them.
To give you an example of the process, let’s look at Invisalign. These clear aligners have become incredibly popular over the past 20 years, given that they are effectively invisible as well as removable. The process of straightening teeth using Invisalign aligners is also simple and quick.
During the initial visit, we will take x-rays, photos & digital scans of your teeth. We will then send a detailed RX that will help set up your individual case. The next step is to make your aligners, which is done using advanced 3-D computer imaging technology to transform your digital scans into a custom-made series of clear and removable aligners.
Depending on the specific case, there will be between 12 and 48 aligners created. These will be worn 20 hours per day and switched out for a new set every week.
When discussing orthodontic treatment, we will also speak with you about your financing options and answer any questions you have related to cost and payment.
Discuss Follow-Ups and Ongoing Care
Most patients will wear braces for between 1 and 3 years, depending on the complexity of the issue. During this time, there will be a number of follow-up visits. The exact nature and frequency of follow-up visits will be determined by the specific orthodontic treatment.
As mentioned above, we are always happy to answer any questions you have or address any doubts you have about the treatment process.
What to Expect from Your San Jose Orthodontist Appointment
There are many undoubted benefits of braces, not only enhancing the appearance of a person’s smile and teeth. They also include making brushing easier, fixing bite issues, helping with digestion, improving speech, and preventing gum disease and tooth decay.
The above information breaks down what you can expect from your San Jose orthodontist appointment. Whether you’re ready for treatment or you have questions to ask, we can help. Book your appointment today.
