What To Expect During Orthodontic Treatment
Are you ready to achieve a confident smile but unsure about what to expect at a Chicago orthodontist appointment? Here’s a peek at common appointments you’ll have throughout your orthodontic treatment. We’ll be there to guide you every step of the way!
Your First Visit: A Complimentary Consultation
At Bubon Orthodontics, we provide free consultations to help you make an informed decision without an up-front financial commitment. During your one-hour consultation, we take orthodontic X-rays and photos, verify your insurance coverage, and discuss your treatment goals.
After getting to know you and your smile, our certified orthodontist develops a customized treatment plan for either braces or Invisalign, with flexible payment options to accommodate your budget. If you’re ready to begin treatment, we can start the same day, saving you an extra trip!
What to Expect at Braces Appointments
Braces are the most common way to achieve a straight smile, involving brackets and wires that gently guide your teeth into place. Here’s what to expect during your braces appointments!
Braces Scan
Braces treatment begins with a quick and comfortable 3D digital scan so our doctors can get the most accurate view of your smile. We gently glide a wand with a camera across your teeth and gums to create a 3D map of your smile, which takes less than 5 minutes!
Getting Braces On
Getting braces is an exciting and painless process that takes about 1 hour. We start by cleaning and prepping your teeth, then attach the brackets using special bonding glue. Next, we guide the wires through the brackets and add elastic ties in any color you choose to hold everything in place and help your teeth move into their new position.
Progress Checks
During your braces treatment, you will visit us for adjustments and checkups approximately every 6-8 weeks for an average of 15-30 minutes. We tighten or change wires, replace elastic ties, and monitor your progress, keeping you updated every step of the way!
Getting Braces Off
When it’s time to say goodbye to braces, the process takes 45-60 minutes, on average. We remove your wires and use a special tool to gently loosen and pop off the brackets. After we polish the remaining glue off your teeth, you’ll get to see your beautiful new smile!
What to Expect at Invisalign Appointments
Invisalign is a popular and convenient way to straighten your smile, requiring fewer office visits than braces treatment. Here’s what to expect during your Invisalign appointments!
Invisalign Scan
Your Invisalign smile journey starts with a quick 3D scan using our iTero scanner, which creates a digital 3D map of your smile in minutes. We send this scan and your personalized treatment plan to Invisalign to make your custom clear aligners.
Getting Invisalign Attachments On
Getting Invisalign attachments takes about 60 minutes and involves cleaning the teeth, using a customized tray to place the attachments with specialized glue,and setting them in place with a curing light.
Invisalign Progress Appointments
You’ll have quick 15-minute appointments at different stages during your treatment to check the fit of your aligners, track your progress, and make any necessary adjustments.
Getting Invisalign Attachments Off
As part of your 75-minute appointment at the end of your treatment, we use a special tool to gently remove your Invisalign attachments and polish off any remaining material, leaving you with a beautiful new smile!
What to Expect at Orthodontic Appliance Appointments
Before starting braces treatment, some patients need appliances, also known as expanders. At Bubon Orthodontics, we offer custom appliances, and kids get to pick the color!
Appliance Scan
We begin your child’s orthodontic treatment with a quick 15-minute appointment. In less than 5 minutes, we take a 3D digital scan of their smile using a gentle wand. If their appliance is customizable, we then design it together!
Getting Your Appliance
Appliance insert appointments take 30-60 minutes, and we’ll make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way. For removable appliances, these shorter visits focus on ensuring your appliance fits well and reviewing instructions. If you’re getting a fixed appliance, we’ll gently attach it to the back molars with special glue, taking extra care to ensure everything feels just right before you leave.
Appliance Progress Checks
Appliance checkup appointments typically last 15-45 minutes, depending on your treatment stage. We check how the appliance fits, ensure it’s working as planned, and make necessary adjustments.
Fixed Appliance Removal
Once your fixed appliance treatment is complete, we’ll schedule a 30-60 minute appointment for removal. During this visit, we will evaluate the position of your smile and give you guidance on the next steps. We use special tools to gently remove fixed appliances and polish off any remaining glue. Depending on your treatment plan, you may also need updated orthodontic x-rays and photos to ensure everything is on track.
What to Expect at Orthodontic Retainer Appointments
Whether you have braces or Invisalign, you’ll finish treatment with a retainer to hold your beautiful new smile in place. Here’s what to expect at your orthodontic retainer appointments!
Retainer Scan
Before completing your treatment, we take another 3D digital scan of your smile to make your custom retainer. This scan takes about 5 minutes and may occur at different stages, depending on your treatment type.
Getting Your Retainer
Your retainer will be ready approximately 3 weeks after we scan your smile. We’ll have you stop into our office for a quick 15-minute checkup to ensure it fits comfortably and receive instructions for use and care.
Retainer Check
After 4-6 weeks of wearing your retainer full-time, we will schedule a quick 15-minute visit to check your progress. During this appointment, we will assess the fit of your retainers and ensure that your teeth are still correctly positioned. If your orthodontist determines you are ready, you will transition to wearing your retainers part-time. After 6 weeks of part-time wear, you will switch to wearing them only at night.
Final Orthodontic Records Appointment
After your treatment, you’ll have a 30-minute appointment for final orthodontic records, including x-rays and photos. It’s like your first visit, but now you’ll show off your beautiful new smile! Check out our smile gallery to see what orthodontic treatment can do for you!
Growth and Development Checkups
Children should see an orthodontist by age 7 to detect concerns early. If your child needs orthodontic treatment but isn’t developmentally ready, we’ll monitor their growth with 30-minute checkup visits every 6 months to determine the best time to begin their smile journey.
Scheduling Appointments
Complimentary Consultation
You can schedule your free consultation at any of our orthodontic offices near you online or by calling or texting us at 773-929-5000.
Current Patient Appointments
If you’re a current patient at any of our 3 Chicago area locations and need to schedule or change an appointment, please call or text us so we can help.