What to Expect During Your First Orthodontic Consultation?

A visit to an orthodontist can be an important experience for your dental health. However, such a thing can also be dreadful to some people because they find an orthodontist’s work quite scary. 

Orthodontic consultation for the first time can be a confusing experience for those who do not understand how things work during their consultation. So, in this article, we present to you all the procedures you can expect when you see an orthodontist for the first time.

When to Visit an Orthodontist?

There are several reasons why you may have to visit an orthodontist. You may have one or a few dental concerns that affect your daily life considerably. Due to this, it is important to seek the help of a professional orthodontist. 

The American Association of Orthodontists typically recommends the first orthodontist consultation for children at the age of 7. Thereafter, they suggest people undergo regular examinations to maintain good oral health.

But, if you have crooked or misaligned teeth, overbites, underbites, crowded teeth, and jaw irregularities, you should visit an orthodontist immediately.

What to Expect During the First Visit to an Orthodontist?

Once you have decided to visit an orthodontist, you may wonder what it is like to visit one for the first time. 

An orthodontist must put you through a whole process to reach the desired results and address your concerns properly. So, here’s what you can expect in a visit to Surrey Orthodontists at Pacific West.

• Appointment

Every orthodontist consultation starts with a prior appointment. Thus, it is advised to make an appointment earlier to reduce your wait time at the clinic.

But this is only possible if you plan your week or month well and can find a free time that resonates with the time slot given by the clinic. Once you have made a prior appointment, avoiding a queue and getting straight to a consultation is easier. 

• Initial Assessment

The orthodontist begins with a basic initial assessment during the consultation. It involves a thorough check-up of your tooth health, shape, and alignment and a lookout for other dental conditions or concerns.

It reveals the basic information about your oral health to the orthodontist. This is the most important step because it helps the doctor better understand the state you are in when they are familiar with your overall dental health upon a quick inspection.

• Concern Discussion

After completing the initial assessment, the orthodontist will move further to discuss concerns with you. 

This is when you should communicate any problems you have been facing, and the doctor will provide you with insightful details. 

If your condition requires further medical attention, they will prescribe you the necessary diagnostic tests.

• Treatment Scheduling

When the orthodontist diagnoses a tooth problem, they will proceed to schedule treatment for your condition. It may include prescription medicines, clinical procedures, and surgeries in extreme conditions. 

If the treatment requires a long time, they will lay out a schedule for your recovery over a certain period. Alongside, they’ll also provide in-depth post-surgery guidelines for quick recovery.

How to Prepare for a Visit to the Orthodontist?

Before you pay a visit to your orthodontist, it is important to take care of some things. 

First, go with clean teeth. It makes the doctor’s job easier. 

Next, bring your dental and medical history if you have an underlying condition. Let the doctor know about your medications, too. 

Lastly, always come on time!

Conclusion

A visit to an orthodontist can be confusing if you are doing it for the first time. But the above-mentioned steps are how a general orthodontist consultation goes. 

So, we hope by now you have familiarized yourself with the working of an orthodontist in addressing your dental concerns.