At Sturgill Orthodontics, we understand that successful orthodontic treatment is a partnership between our experienced team and our patients and that’s why we talk about patient involvement in orthodontic treatment in Johnson City, TN.
Our board-certified orthodontists – Dr. Sturgill, Dr. Williams, Dr. Harper, Dr. Anderson, and Dr. Mullins – have helped thousands of Tri-Cities residents achieve their dream smiles through active patient participation in treatment.
Braces or Invisalign, We Do Both!
How Patient Involvement Improves Orthodontic Treatment Outcomes
Research shows that engaged patients achieve better results with their orthodontic treatment. When patients actively participate in their treatment plan, we see:
- Shorter treatment times
- Better oral hygiene maintenance
- Improved compliance with treatment instructions
- More satisfactory final results
Treatment time can be significantly reduced when patients fully participate in their care.
For example, consistently wearing elastics as prescribed helps teeth move efficiently into their ideal positions.
Missing appointments or not following care instructions can add months to treatment time, while dedicated patients who follow all guidelines often complete their treatment ahead of schedule.
According to orthodontic studies, patient compliance can impact treatment duration by up to 6 months!
Personalizing Your Orthodontic Experience in Johnson City
We believe that personalization leads to better patient involvement. That’s why we offer:
Customizable Braces Colors
Our Johnson City orthodontic patients can express their personality through:
- School spirit colors (Science Hill High School, Providence Academy, and other local school colors)
- Seasonal choices for East Tennessee holidays and events
- Professional team colors (Tennessee Volunteers, ETSU Buccaneers)
- Holiday themes for special occasions
For those patients wearing conventional metal braces that consist of brackets and wires, we let them choose the colors of their elastic ties that bind the wires to the bracket.
This allows these patients to make fashion statements with their smiles as there are many colors from which to choose.
All Colors of the Rainbow and More!
Our practice has found that patients won’t take the time to choose special colors unless they intend to use them.
That’s why we always have a good supply of colors on hand, especially when holidays are approaching. Patients can celebrate each time they smile, year-round with:
- Red and pink for Valentine’s Day
- Green for St. Patrick’s Day
- Red, white and blue for the 4th of July
- Orange and black for Halloween
- Red and green for Christmas
- Blue and white for Hanukkah
- Red, black and green for Kwanzaa
Treatment Options for Every Lifestyle
We provide various orthodontic solutions to match your preferences:
- Traditional metal braces with colored elastics
- Clear ceramic braces
- Behind-the-teeth lingual braces
- Invisible aligners
For those patients who prefer to be less obvious about their orthodontic treatment, we offer tooth-colored brackets, self-ligating brackets, braces which are placed behind the teeth, and translucent aligner trays.
Get the Smile You’ve Always Wanted
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Treatment
How can I be more involved in my orthodontic treatment?
Active participation in your orthodontic treatment includes:
- Following all care instructions carefully
- Maintaining excellent oral hygiene
- Keeping scheduled appointments
- Wearing elastics as directed
- Avoiding foods that could damage your braces
- Communicating any concerns promptly with our Johnson City team
How often will I need to visit your Johnson City office during treatment?
Most patients visit our Johnson City orthodontics office every 6-8 weeks for adjustments.
However, this can vary based on your specific treatment plan and needs.
Consistent appointments are crucial for achieving optimal results in the expected timeframe.
How long does orthodontic treatment typically take?
Treatment duration varies by patient, but typically ranges from:
- 6-12 months for minor corrections
- 12-18 months for standard cases
- 18-24 months for more complex cases
Your active involvement and compliance with treatment instructions can help ensure your treatment stays within these timeframes.
What foods should I avoid with braces?
To protect your braces and ensure effective treatment, avoid:
- Hard candies and nuts
- Chewy foods like caramel or taffy
- Popcorn
- Ice cubes
- Hard pretzels and chips
- Whole apples (cut them into pieces instead)
Avoiding these foods is crucial for successful orthodontic treatment.
Hard and sticky foods can damage your braces by breaking brackets, bending wires, or pulling components loose from your teeth.
When this happens, it not only requires an emergency visit to our Johnson City office but can also extend your overall treatment time.
Think of your braces as a precision instrument – each bracket and wire is carefully placed to move your teeth in a specific way.
Any damage to these components can interrupt this precise movement, potentially delaying your progress toward achieving your perfect smile.
Additionally, certain foods can get stuck in your braces, making it difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene and potentially leading to cavities or staining around the brackets.
How often should I brush my teeth with braces?
We recommend brushing:
- After every meal and snack
- At least 3 times daily
- For a minimum of 2 minutes each time
Flossing should be done daily using the special flossing tools we provide.
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is crucial for achieving the best results.
Braces create additional spaces where food particles and bacteria can hide, increasing the risk of cavities and gum problems if not cleaned properly.
Think of each bracket as a tiny ledge – food and plaque can accumulate around these areas quickly.
That’s why we emphasize frequent brushing and provide specialized tools and techniques during your appointments.
Many of our Johnson City braces patients find that keeping a travel toothbrush in their purse, backpack, or desk drawer makes it easier to maintain this important habit throughout the day.
What do I do if something breaks or feels uncomfortable?
Contact our Johnson City office immediately if you experience:
- Broken brackets or wires
- Poking wires
- Unusual discomfort
- Lost or broken aligners
While orthodontic appliances are designed to be durable, occasional issues can arise during treatment.
Quick action when something feels wrong helps prevent treatment delays and ensures your comfort.
Our Johnson City team always keeps emergency appointment slots available for these situations.
Most discomfort can be temporarily managed with orthodontic wax, which creates a smooth barrier between your braces and soft tissues.
However, don’t delay in contacting us – what seems like a minor issue could impact your treatment progress if not addressed promptly.
We’ll guide you through any immediate steps you can take at home and schedule you for the soonest appropriate appointment.
Will my insurance cover orthodontic treatment?
Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic coverage. Our Johnson City office team will:
- Help verify your insurance benefits
- Explain your coverage details
- Work with you to maximize your insurance benefits
- Offer flexible payment plans for any remaining balance
Understanding insurance coverage for orthodontic treatment can seem overwhelming, but our experienced team makes it simple.
We work with most major insurance providers and have years of experience maximizing orthodontic benefits for our patients.
Before beginning treatment, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of your coverage and any out-of-pocket expenses.
For many patients, their insurance covers a significant portion of orthodontic treatment, and we can help arrange the remaining balance into manageable monthly payments.
We believe that financing your braces in Johnson City shouldn’t be the thing standing in the way of achieving your perfect smile, which is why we offer various payment options to fit different budgets.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Schedule Your Orthodontics Consultation in Johnson City, TN
Ready to start your orthodontic journey? Contact Sturgill Orthodontics today and get your free orthodontic consultation in Johnson City!
We proudly serve patients throughout Johnson City and the surrounding Tri-Cities area.
Most patients are within a convenient 15-20 minute drive to our Johnson City office, making orthodontic appointments easy to fit into your schedule.
Proudly serving Johnson City, TN and surrounding communities including:
- Gray
- Jonesborough
- Elizabethton
- Boones Creek
- Piney Flats
- Erwin
- Unicoi
- Fall Branch
- Watauga
- Oak Grove
Johnson City Orthodontic Office
Location:
Sturgill Orthodontics
801 Sunset Dr., Suite E5
Johnson City, TN 37604
Phone: (423) 471-8859
Our office is conveniently located on Sunset Drive, easily accessible from all parts of Johnson City.
You’ll find us near Mahoney’s Outfitters and Dunkin’, just off Knob Creek Road.