Your Orthodontic Guide
Your First Appointment
What to expect
Your orthodontic journey at Deerwood Orthodontics Franklin will begin with a comprehensive first appointment. This involves a detailed assessment of your orthodontic needs so we can establish a personalized orthodontic plan if you do need further treatment. During this first appointment, our friendly team will welcome you and your family and guide you through the process with care and professionalism.
Our orthodontic evaluation includes a thorough discussion of your treatment goals and aesthetic needs, allowing us to tailor our approach accordingly. We also perform a detailed bite assessment to identify any alignment issues and better understand the functional aspects of your teeth and jaws. This comprehensive evaluation allows us to design the best suitable treatment plan for you.
At Deerwood Orthodontics Franklin, we offer a complimentary orthodontic evaluation. This includes a dental scan, photos, and X-rays to thoroughly assess your orthodontic needs. Our panoramic scans provide a complete view of your teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures so that we can detect any issues that need attention.
We use digital scans to take impressions. This way we can create precise 3D models of your teeth to carefully plan your treatment and skip the need for messy impression material and uncomfortable trays.
Treatment Planning
Financial Consultation
Understanding the financial aspects of orthodontic treatment is an important part of the initial appointment. Before beginning your treatment, our team will provide you with a financial consultation to discuss all treatment costs. We will also help you explore flexible payment options that fit your budget. We strive to make orthodontic care accessible and affordable for all our patients.
The Next Steps
Starting your orthodontic journey
Once you decide to start treatment, we will go over your treatment plan and set up an appointment. In many cases, treatment can begin on the same day, allowing you to start your path to a healthier smile without delay.
The first treatment appointment is typically the longest, as it involves placing appliances such as braces or aligners and providing detailed care instructions. Subsequent appointments are relatively quick. We’ll schedule these at regular intervals to monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments along the way.
The Importance of Regular Dental Visits
For maintenance and cleaning
While undergoing orthodontic treatment, patients should maintain regular dental visits for professional teeth cleanings and checkups. Your general dentist plays a vital role in helping you maintain your overall oral health. Regular appointments with them will complement your orthodontic care and help to prevent cavities and gum disease.
What is Interceptive Orthodontics
Early intervention for growing smiles
Interceptive orthodontics focuses on early intervention to address orthodontic issues before they become bigger problems. This approach works alongside the natural growth and development of a child’s jaws and teeth, helping prevent the need for more extensive treatment in the future. Interceptive care is most beneficial for children who are still growing, as it allows us to easily correct dental and facial asymmetry early on. For this reason, children should receive an orthodontic evaluation around age 7.
Duration of Orthodontic Treatment
Typical Timelines
The length of orthodontic treatment varies based on individual goals and needs. Interceptive treatment for children typically lasts around 12 months, addressing early developmental issues and setting the stage for future dental health.
For adults and teens, braces treatment can range from 12 to 30 months, depending on the complexity of the case and desired outcomes.
Invisalign™ treatment, which uses clear aligners to gradually move teeth, tends to last between 6 and 24 months.
Treatment Protocols
Why they are important
Adhering to treatment protocols is essential for achieving the best results, especially with Invisalign™ aligners. If your teen struggles with wearing aligners as instructed, our team is here to provide education and encouragement to help them understand the importance of compliance. Should challenges persist, we can transition to traditional braces to ensure treatment progress, though this will involve additional fees.
Completing Your Treatment Plan
And maintaining your new, healthy smile
Upon completing your orthodontic treatment, we will take new scans and develop an individualized retention plan to maintain your beautiful new smile. You’ll then receive custom retainers designed to keep your teeth in their corrected positions. We recommend wearing them regularly for life to ensure long-term results.
We also strongly encourage yearly retention checks to monitor the stability of your teeth and make any necessary retainer adjustments. The entire team at Deerwood Orthodontics Franklin is committed to supporting you to maintain your results after treatment. We’re here to support you and ensure your smile remains healthy in the years to come.
Financing Your Treatment at Deerwood Orthodontics Franklin
Choose from flexible payment options to afford your care.
It’s easy to make payments at Deerwood Orthodontics Franklin. We accept cash, credit cards, CareCredit, Healthcare Finance Direct, and more.
Find the payment method that works best for you.
Our team is here to help you and your family get the orthodontic treatment you need so you can enjoy well-aligned bites and beautiful smiles.