Despite having a comprehensive treatment plan and confidence in your progress, unexpected changes can occur in your teeth and jaw. If you skip your appointments, the orthodontist has no way to control or correct any problems that may arise, which could result in a prolongation of treatment or have more serious consequences. Missing an orthodontic appointment is not recommended for several reasons. The most obvious is that it can prolong treatment.
Prolonged treatment means you'll be wearing braces longer. Most people want to wear braces for as short a time as possible. That's why it's essential to attend all scheduled appointments. Yes, you can go a few months without an orthodontic adjustment and it won't cause any harm to your teeth.
However, you can add 2 to 3 months to the treatment time. Orthodontic wires can continue to straighten your teeth for several months after you have placed them. Therefore, your braces will most likely continue to work even if we haven't seen you recently. Skipping orthodontic appointments can also lead to more serious consequences. Without regular check-ups, the orthodontist cannot monitor the progress of your treatment and make sure that everything is going according to plan.
If something goes wrong, it could lead to more complex problems that require additional treatments or even surgery. In addition, if you don't go to the orthodontist for a year, you may miss out on important information about how to care for your braces and teeth during treatment. The orthodontist can provide valuable advice on how to keep your teeth healthy and clean while wearing braces. This advice is essential for ensuring that your teeth stay healthy and strong after the braces are removed. Finally, missing an orthodontic appointment can also affect the overall cost of treatment.
If you miss an appointment, the orthodontist may need to spend more time on your next visit to make up for lost time. This could result in additional fees or charges.
