Myy appointments every 8 weeks? Is my treatment longer?

[rektik]

Hi,

Quick question; my initial brace appointment was scheduled 6 weeks after i had them put on. I've just had this appointment and now I'm not due to go back for another 8 weeks!? My ortho said this is because I am a good patient and i am looking after my braces, therefore 'checking' on me so soon is not needed. I hope its not because he's trying to squeeze other stuff in and I'm being dragged out because of it?

Someone explain to me what determines the length of time for each appointment?

My view is that the sooner the appointments, the less time the whole treatment will take??? I.e. 4 weeks is better and faster than 8??? Is my assumption wrong? Thanks for any help!

[thmmom]

I think it depends on what your ortho is trying to accomplish. I have had my appointments as soon as 2 weeks and as far apart as 6 weeks. 6 weeks is the norm for me. I think 6 - 8 weeks is pretty normal for most ortho patients. I think it is important for an ortho to take their time in moving teeth. If your teeth are moved too quickly you can have major problems.

[Crazy4Snow]

I've also read (not sure if it's true) that the older you are the harder it is to move your teeth and if you try and move them too quickly there can be complications. I'm 44 and my first adjustment was scheduled for 8 weeks.

[orangeracer]

The modern wires keep working much longer than they used to, so they don't need to be checked up on as often. The new wires can put pressure on the teeth and roots for many weeks which means longer times in between appointments.

[hazybubbles]

My appointments are every 8 weeks as standard. Your teeth need to move slowly to avoid any damage. The wires will still be moving them even weeks after they are adjusted. If you went every 4 weeks they probably wouldn't have finished moving them and you would just be told come back in another 4 weeks which is pointless unless you are the sort of person that needs keeping a close eye on, or you are on a fine tuning stage that will only take a short time.

[alibracket]

My first appointment was 8 weeks which was short compared to the 3 months between the rest of my appointments. I remember being kind of disappointed when he said 8 weeks, I was hoping for more attention
. But it all worked out- My case was pretty straight forward, no extractions or anything.

[bookfairy]

Same here. Mine are even every 9 or 10 weeks apart. But I see changes weeks in, so I know it's still moving the teeth.

[nifer237]

My appointments are every 8 weeks as well. No problems with that so far. I am older also, so maybe there is some truth to that theory.

[tashay1985]

i think it depends on your teeth, everyones times are different and each case is so different that i think in order to accomplish what needs to be done sometimes it takes longer between adjustments. When i got my braces on, my 1st adjustment was about 5 weeks, the longest ive ever had to wait was 6 weeks. shortest was 3 weeks, so it does vary! I wouldnt worry about it

[Snowglobe32]

Hi,

Quick question; my initial brace appointment was scheduled 6 weeks after i had them put on. I've just had this appointment and now I'm not due to go back for another 8 weeks!? My ortho said this is because I am a good patient and i am looking after my braces, therefore 'checking' on me so soon is not needed. I hope its not because he's trying to squeeze other stuff in and I'm being dragged out because of it?

Someone explain to me what determines the length of time for each appointment?

My view is that the sooner the appointments, the less time the whole treatment will take??? I.e. 4 weeks is better and faster than 8??? Is my assumption wrong? Thanks for any help!

Only your ortho can explain what determines the length between each of your appointments...but we can give our general opinions.

In the beginning, my ortho said the first wire was to wake up the teeth. Once this was accomplished (after 6 weeks), I went onto stronger wires. I have ranged from 6 to 8 weeks between appointments. I go back in a few weeks, it will be the 8 week mark.

At about 1 1/2 years in, I started SureSmile. My wires are already designed for me, each time I go back, I get a stronger wire. I am on wire #2 of 5.

I do not think length between appointments makes a difference in total treatment time. I remember reading on here that someone only had two wire changes the entire time they were in braces. Sometimes certain wires need to work longer than others. I think the longest I was in one wire was 4 months. Each case is different and the time will fly by.

[katiemcb09]

Mine are all about 8 weeks apart! Glad to hear that I shouldn't worry. I've seen pretty good movement so far (pics at missmetalmouth.wordpress.com) so I 'spose the 8 week plan is working!

[klobird]

Hey Rektik,

I just got my braces last Friday. I don't go back for 3 months! I'm 55. So maybe it does take longer--anyway, I think I know what's happening next time (getting the forsus) and I can wait twice that long for that!!

[kreyFL]

Hey I dont know if it is any help but I have had appointments from 5 weeks to 8 weeks. I have had braces for over 7 months now and each adjustment time has been different. I would say usually it is 6-8 weeks but my 3rd adjustment was at 5 weeks. It just depends what the ortho thinks he can get away with or when he wants the teeth to "settle" a bit, see how your bite reacts and what not, then do more shifting....but, 8 weeks is fairly common from what I have read.

[Nettie]

Newbie here, but have done alot of reading.

I have read length of time depends on the wire, what the ortho is trying to accomplish, how your teeth are progressing as well as the type of braces you have.

Apparently, the self litigating ones require less adjustments, thus less frequent visits... every 8 weeks.
Those with non self litigating braces may need to come in every 5-6-8 weeks for adjustments.

Is this true? those that previously responded, why type of braces do you have?

Nettie

[drgnchsr36]

Hmm, interesting about the SL vs. non SL. I have non SL and my appt. so far have been about 8 weeks apart. I'm OK with that, gives my mouth some time to adjust!