La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – You’ve gone through months, possibly years, of orthodontic treatment only to realize you aren’t happy with your final results. So, now what happens?

It may sound like a nightmare, but unfortunately, it can be a reality for some orthodontic patients. Patients always need to keep realistic expectations when seeking treatment. Everyone’s teeth, bone structure, and soft tissue framing will vary from individual to individual. The treatment will resultingly vary as well. Patients work hard for a smile they can’t wait to show off, only to want to go right back to hiding it. If this happens to you, do you have any recourse?

“The first thing you should do is address your concerns with your orthodontist as soon as possible,” says Dr. Robert Gire. “Be upfront and honest about your frustration so you can find the best way to move forward. That may mean additional treatment, or it could mean finding a new provider who can better meet your needs.”

Here are the steps you should take if you are unhappy with your orthodontic results.

• Call your orthodontist to schedule a follow-up appointment as soon as possible. Be honest about your frustrations with your results so the orthodontist can clearly understand your frustrations.
• Ask about solutions to correct your concerns. Is additional treatment necessary or recommended?
• Can a cosmetic procedure help address your concerns? Could a procedure such as tooth whitening help brighten your smile?
• Understand your role in preserving your smile. It is important to understand the potential for relapses and how you can prevent them from happening.
• Consider seeking a second opinion from a new provider, if needed.

Let’s take a closer look at your options.

After speaking with your orthodontist, it may be necessary to jump back into treatment. Occasionally, brackets can be removed prematurely, or aligner treatment may have ended before you’ve gotten the smile you think you should have. In these cases, you may be able to jump back into treatment for a bit longer to help.

For some patients, especially those who are in clear aligner treatment, failure to follow orthodontist directions can result in a less-than-ideal result. Aligners have to be worn as directed to achieve the right tooth movements. That means each set should be worn a minimum of 22 hours a day for approximately 10-14 days before moving on to the next. We know it can be tempting to try to rush treatment, but this will actually cause more harm than good.

For some patients, it might not be an issue with how the braces or aligners worked, but an underlying issue that is bothering them. Do you think your teeth are too big, or your smile is too gummy, or your teeth aren’t white enough? Your orthodontist can refer you to a cosmetic dentist to help you further perfect your smile.

It is also important to note that the success of your orthodontic treatment rests in your hands once your braces are removed. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to maintaining your results. Failure to do so puts you at risk of relapsing.

On some occasions, it can also be the skill of the orthodontist that leaves you with a less-than-ideal result. Dr. Gire is a board-certified orthodontist with the knowledge and skill to provide you with the smile you deserve. Seek out a provider who is board-certified and experienced, so you know you are in the hands of someone with the skill to correct your issues.

If you are unhappy with your braces result, the best way to move forward is to be honest and talk it through with your orthodontist. After seeing what options are available, you can make a plan to move forward that works for you.

At Gire Orthodontics, our goal is to create beautiful, properly functioning smiles that leave our patients ready to greet the world with confidence. If you are ready to begin your smile journey, call us today at 562-690-1199 (La Habra) or 909-393-9911.