Two and a half months between appointments

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#1 Post by **fosterp** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 2:01 pm

Question that's been bugging me lately... I got my braces on 3/16 and I am scheduled for my first appointment on 5/26. Almost two and half months in between.

Is this normal for the first appointment? Everyone I have asked that had braces thought it was odd, most of them had their first appointment in 4 to 6 weeks.

Is there any reason why the period would be so long?

#2 Post by **camdog** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 2:14 pm

I have had appointments 8 weeks inbetween each visit, including the first time I went.

Infact, the first time when I had just had my braces on teh ortho said "hmm, come back in 6.. no 8 weeks actually".

The teeth need time to break out of thier mold and actually move before it's worth going back to the ortho. Only go back before the scheduled appointment if there is paroblem

#3 Post by **drpotter** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 2:55 pm

It's 8 weeks between my braced date and my first adjustment. My ortho says she likes to give it time for initial adjusting/movement and she generally waits 8 or 9 weeks for a first adjustment (unless you request an earlier appointment for specific reasons) and 6-8 weeks after that.

#4 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:07 pm

The first archwire is generally NiTi and has shape memory. It is exerting a constant force, but will need time to fully express the desired movement. There isn't really a point to have an adjustment visit until the next archwire can be placed. Our patients see us every 8 weeks throughout treatment, and may go longer or shorter between visits if there are special circumstances.

What longer intervals require is that a lot of the possible work is done at each visit. It also requires your orthodontist to understand mechanics of movement and have a firm plan about your treatment.

Hope this helps!

#5 Post by **Audra** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:36 am

My first few wires were 10-12 weeks between appointments. This is not uncommon.

#6 Post by **kilikena311** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:17 am

I have an appointment every 4 weeks, and a lot of times all that is done is that the doc checks my bite and has them change my ligs. That's fine though because I'm usually sick of them by then.

I've been braced for 1 year this week