If you’d asked us just a few months ago what our practice had in mind for the coming year, it certainly wouldn’t have included making plans around a global pandemic! Yet here we are, self-isolating along with millions of other people. Our office is closed except for emergencies at the moment, and if you’re a current patient, you may be worried about these changes affecting your treatment plan. Similarly, if you’ve recently been considering braces or aligners with our practice, you might be wondering if that’s even possible right now. The good news is, our team is still able to meet all your orthodontic needs!
At About Faces And Braces, we’re embracing new ways of staying connected to our patients, both current and future. Virtual technology is one of the biggest tools we have for doing that, and that’s why we’re now conducting visits and consultations completely online! This allows us to maintain the recommended social distance while still meeting you wherever you are on your orthodontic journey. To learn more about how these virtual visits and consultations will work, keep reading below.
How virtual services work
Since telemedicine is still a fairly new way to access healthcare in many areas, you may not be familiar with how it works, or what to expect from a virtual visit with us. First, you’ll need to contact us by calling 615-384-2484 or emailing us at scheduling@aboutfacesandbraces. Our team will set up a date and time for your virtual visit or consultation. Next, you’ll want to watch this video that Dr. Candice put together to explain the photos we need you to email to us before your appointment. These photos will include:
- a shot of you facing forward, not smiling
- a shot of you facing forward, smiling
- a profile shot
- front bite
- right bite
- left bite
- upper teeth
- lower teeth
Dr. Candice’s video explains each one of these in more detail, and she will also demonstrate them for you. If you’re currently wearing elastics, it’s important to remember that they’re an essential part of your treatment plan. When you take the photos of your right and left bite, have your elastics on the braces so we can check that you’re wearing them properly. This lets us provide you with any feedback if needed. Many patients worry about how to take clear and effective photos, but if you watch our tutorial, you’ll have all the information you need to take the best shots possible!
Once you’ve submitted the photos and any personal information asked for, Dr. Shawn and Dr. Candice will review them along with any notes you’ve included. During your virtual visit or consultation, they’ll be able to discuss any concerns you have, what their recommendations are, and any additional input they have.
Why About Faces And Braces is moving forward with virtual technology
Once mandated closures and stay-at-home orders became the norm, we knew our top priority had to be finding new and innovative ways to continue meeting our community’s orthodontic needs. Switching over to a virtual system allows us to do that and help to flatten the curve at the same time. Check-in “visits” keep your treatment plan on track while our office is closed, and virtual consultations let you take the first steps towards a new smile from the comfort of home!
Virtual visits can also be really beneficial for patients who have been worried about experiencing an orthodontic emergency while our offices are closed. If you’re not clear on what qualifies as a true orthodontic emergency, a virtual appointment with Dr. Shawn or Dr. Candice can take the guesswork out of it! You’ll be able to describe your concerns and share photos of any problems you’re having with your teeth or appliance. Our expert team will then be able to provide expert guidance on what your next steps need to be.
If you’ve been experiencing any minor discomfort or have been concerned about any aspect of your treatment, talking it out via video can be helpful. Many times, we’ll be able to assess any damage and make suggestions with nothing more than a virtual visit. There are several non-emergencies that can be treated from home, and our doctors will be happy to walk you through the available remedies. And don’t worry—if you do have a genuine emergency, we’ll schedule a visit for you in our offices.
Minimize your risk factors by taking good care of your smile at home
Speaking of orthodontic emergencies, many are accidental and unavoidable. However, there’s still plenty you can do to minimize your general risk factors. For current orthodontic patients, that means following all of our recommendations even though we aren’t seeing you regularly at the moment. You can take good care of your smile and your appliance during this time by:
- avoiding all sticky and crunchy foods if you’re in braces, as they can damage the brackets and wires
- brushing at least twice a day for two minutes each time with a fluoridated toothpaste
- flossing thoroughly every night before bed
- using tools like ortho picks, interdental brushes, and water flossers if you need extra help cleaning hard to reach areas
- wearing a mouthguard if you’re still practicing any sports at home
- informing our office of any loose or broken wires or brackets so we can advise you on what to do next
- keeping all Invisalign aligners clean and safe by brushing them gently and putting them in a case when they’re not in your mouth
- Keep your smile looking and feeling great with About Faces And Braces
- We know that this has been a tough adjustment for lots of our patients, and it’s been difficult for us, too. We miss seeing your smiles in the office! We want you to know that our team is still committed to providing you with the best possible care, even if it is from afar right now.
Thanks to virtual technology, you can still work towards a beautiful smile without ever having to leave home. Wherever you are in your orthodontic journey, we’re focused on remaining accessible while keeping you healthy and safe. For your convenience, we will continue to offer these virtual visits and consultations even after our offices reopen, so get in touch today to schedule yours!