Your First Visit

Overview

Faces and smiles come in all shapes and sizes, so orthodontic treatment in Orlando at AM Orthodontics is tailor-made to address the specific concerns of our patients while achieving the most ideal result possible. We want orthodontic treatment to result in a smile that will last a lifetime, so we take our time to carefully diagnose and plan each patient’s case.

Step 4: Retainers

Once the active period of orthodontic treatment is completed, your braces are removed. The next step is called retention. Retainers are utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions so that they do not move back into pre-treatment position. In our office, our standard protocol is to place a fixed retainer wire behind the lower incisors and we provide a clear removable retainer for the upper teeth.

We are frequently asked, “How long do I have to wear my retainers?” The answer may surprise you: we recommend that you wear your retainers as long as you want straight teeth! Studies have shown that teeth will always want to move, even for people who have had their wisdom teeth removed. Almost 50% of adults who come to our office for treatment had previous orthodontic care as a child. At some point, they neglected to wear their retainer or were told to remove their fixed (permanent retainer) by a dental professional.

We do not forget about you after your braces are removed. There are two office visits during the 1-year retention period where we examine your retainers and your bite relationship to ensure your results will last you a lifetime. In the meantime, if you have any questions or accidentally cause any damage to your retainers, please call us immediately. We always say that half the work in orthodontics is getting the smile perfect, and the other half is keeping the smile looking great.

Our approach

Our approach begins with a new patient consult, in which we take a complimentary panoramic x-ray and perform a detailed examination of the teeth, supportive tissues, and the bite relationship. Our Orlando orthodontists routinely illustrate their findings to the patient, and in the case of children, our office is designed so that parents are part of the process at every step. After the initial findings are recorded, our doctors will let you know their thoughts regarding whether treatment is needed, the timing, and how long orthodontic treatment will last.

The next step is taking orthodontic records. Our office takes a full set of intra-oral photographs, stone models of teeth, and a cephalometric x-ray to determine the skeletal basis of the jaw relationship. One of our orthodontists will carefully review all the records and customize each patient’s treatment plan based on findings at the examination and the information gained from the records. Although you may think that all braces are the same, our office uses braces that are individualized for each tooth so the doctors can adjust every variable possible to allow for the best results. After our doctors have finalized the treatment plan, we review the treatment plan and goals with the patient before treatment starts — this helps ensure that there are no surprises along the way.

Taken as a whole, we are proud of our methodical approach to orthodontic treatment and use the combined over 30 years of experience of our doctors to provide spectacular smiles to all of Central Florida.