How often you need to visit your orthodontist depends on your treatment, how your teeth are moving and your individual treatment plan. While regular in-person appointments remain an important part of orthodontic care, technology such as Dental Monitoring can also allow your clinical team to review your treatment between scheduled visits.
At L&L Orthodontics, we use Dental Monitoring alongside braces and clear aligner treatment, helping our clinical team stay connected with patients between appointments.
How Often Are Orthodontic Appointments?
How often you need to visit the orthodontist will depend on your treatment and individual treatment plan. Some stages require more frequent appointments for clinical checks or adjustments, while at other stages, your appointments may be spaced further apart.
For example, some patients may visit us every month or two for appointments such as wire changes, while others may go several months between visits. Your orthodontist will plan your appointments around what’s needed at each stage of your treatment.
At L&L Orthodontics, we also use Dental Monitoring to keep an eye on your treatment between appointments. Regular scans give our clinical team additional information about how your treatment is progressing and help us stay connected with you between visits.
What Is Dental Monitoring?
Dental Monitoring is an innovative app that allows our clinical team to monitor your progress remotely using photos you take on your smartphone. Instead of attending frequent in-clinic check-ups, you simply upload weekly scans from the comfort of your home. Our clinical team review your scans and provide feedback to ensure your treatment is progressing as planned and AI supports the monitoring process ensuring nothing is missed.
How It Works:
- Download the app and set up your profile
Once you start your orthodontic treatment we’ll help get you started with the Dental Monitoring app, and the scan box pro (this is what connects to your Smartphone) and will show you how to make clear, consistent images of your teeth. You can download the app here (Apple | Google). - Weekly Scans
Each week, the app will remind you to complete a quick scan. Simply follow the guided audio and visual instructions to capture and upload your images. - Professional Review
Once your scan is submitted, our clinical team carefully reviews your tooth movement, gum health, and overall progress. If everything is on track, you’ll receive a message letting you know to continue as usual. If adjustments are needed, we’ll either provide updated instructions or schedule an in-person appointment. - Fewer In-Clinic Appointments
With regular, detailed updates from your scans, we can reduce the number of in-clinic appointments needed, plus in some cases speed up your treatment. This is because it can spot things early, which means we can progress you sooner. Amazing!
Benefits of Dental Monitoring During Orthodontic Treatment
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Convenience
Complete your scheduled scans using your smartphone, whether you’re at home or travelling. -
Regular monitoring between appointments
Your scans provide our clinical team with additional information about your treatment between scheduled clinic visits. -
Easy communication
You can use the app to stay connected with our clinical team and ask treatment-related questions between appointments. -
Fits around everyday life
Scanning from home can make it easier to incorporate treatment monitoring into school, work, family life and travel.
Will I Still Need In-Person Orthodontic Appointments?
Yes. Dental Monitoring supports your orthodontic care between appointments but doesn’t replace the need for in-person clinical visits.
Your orthodontist will still need to see you at different stages of treatment to assess your teeth and bite, check your orthodontic appliance and make any clinical adjustments that require an in-person appointment.
How often you need to attend will depend on your treatment and individual needs.
When Might I Need an Extra Orthodontic Appointment?
Sometimes our team may need to see you sooner than your next scheduled appointment. This could happen if:
- A bracket or wire breaks or becomes loose
- Your aligners aren’t fitting as expected
- You experience persistent pain or discomfort
- An orthodontic appliance becomes damaged
- Our clinical team identifies something during Dental Monitoring that needs an in-person assessment
If you’re unsure whether you need an appointment, contact us through Dental Monitoring or call the clinic for advice.
Staying Connected Throughout Your Orthodontic Treatment
Regular orthodontic appointments and Dental Monitoring each play a role in your ongoing care at L&L Orthodontics. Your in-person appointments allow our team to provide the clinical care and adjustments you need, while Dental Monitoring helps us stay connected with you between visits.
Your orthodontist will recommend an appointment and monitoring schedule based on your individual treatment.
If you’re considering braces or clear aligners, book an orthodontic consultation at our Melbourne CBD or Templestowe clinic to discuss your treatment options.
Consultation required to assess eligibility. Our orthodontists will advise whether treatment is suitable for you.