Generally, if you see a dentist or orthodontist for the first time or seek a consultation, she will often request your orthodontic records. What are these records, and why are they essential for you to have? How do you obtain your records when you see a new healthcare provider?

What Are Orthodontic Dental Records?

Your dentist or orthodontist has your dental records in a folder. Dentists and orthodontists use orthodontic records as a study tool to offer patients the appropriate, most personalized orthodontic treatment plans available. The treatment process starts after all of the necessary information has been gathered and an orthodontist has been chosen. If a patient has a mouth sore or any other dental issue, the dentist can use their orthodontic records to advise on how to treat mouth inflammation.

After the patient and parents have visited with the orthodontist for a first exam and determined that treatment is necessary, the procedure of getting braces usually begins. Booking for orthodontic records is usually the next step. The therapeutic procedure would not be complete without records. They’ll give the orthodontist crucial information about the patient, allowing them to make a correct diagnosis and build a treatment plan that’s right for them.

Why Orthodontic Dental Records Are Important

When an individual becomes a patient for dental procedures, their dentist takes their records into account when creating a treatment plan. The dentist or orthodontist will compile all of the patient’s possible treatment options. Additionally, Orthodontic records are also helpful in tracking overall improvement during treatment, and they form an essential part of a person’s dental records.

Types of Orthodontic Dental Records

It’s critical to get all of your records available if you’re meeting a new dental care provider. In the same way, if you went to see a new doctor, she might want copies of not only your clinic visits with other doctors but both test results and X-rays. Each of these studies and reports is examined and reviewed to allow the most accurate treatment plans.

Similarly, in dentistry and orthodontics, various records are reviewed together to achieve the right findings and measure your progress. Orthodontic records usually include Panoramic X-rays, dental impressions, cephalometric X-rays, sometimes a Cone Beam CT (CBCT), digital scanning, and Intraoral and extraoral photos.

Dental Impressions

Dental impressions, also referred to as alginate impressions, create a 3-dimensional photocopy of a person’s mouth. Stone is placed into the prepared impression materials to produce mouth models. The dentist uses these study models to assess a patient’s existing dental position and forecast the future connections between the upper and lower teeth.

How is the dental impression made?

A soft alginate material is placed in a tray; the tray is placed in the mouth, then the material is allowed to position for about one minute. When put in the mouth, alginate has a texture similar to porridge or mashed potatoes. It has a more elastic texture when it starts to harden up. Plaster is placed into the impression once removed from the lips.

After that, the plaster model is cut to illustrate how the teeth match. Some orthodontists scan the plaster models electronically, resulting in an accurate model replication. Accurate readings, imaging, and storage are also possible with this technology. The dentist may also keep study models on file as part of your medical files as a permanent record. They can also keep digital files, but once they know that they won’t need those records anymore, they can use Mac cleaning software to get rid of all the unnecessary clutter on their devices.

Dental impressions are used not only for orthodontic work but also for the production of mouth guards, veneers, braces, dentures, fillings, and other dental appliances. However, based upon the byte reviews, the quality of your dental impressions can have a significant effect on the quality of dental treatment you are likely to get.

Cephalometric X-Ray

The cephalometric X-ray, or Ceph, displays a patient’s side view from the head to under the bottom of their jawline. The Ceph distinguishes between teeth and bone and soft tissues, which aids the dentist or orthodontist in predicting how the bone structure would adjust throughout orthodontic therapy. With tracing paper and crucial points on the X-ray, the dentist or orthodontist will trace the Ceph. Cephalometric films are commonly used in orthodontics, but they can also diagnose medical issues like sleep apnea.

Panoramic X-Ray

A panoramic X-ray often referred to as a Panorex or pan, is a two-dimensional X-ray that shows both the upper and lower jaws and their teeth within the same piece of film. The dentist can observe the emerging teeth and estimate where they will appear in the mouth via a panoramic X-ray, and this is especially useful for adolescents.

What’s more, this X-ray is required at a younger age for people suffering a delay in eruption of their teeth to control missing or impaired teeth effectively. This X-ray is generally conducted on adults seeking orthodontic treatment to allow the dentist to assess the existing health and level of the jawbone. Orthodontic treatments and identifying if wisdom teeth are impacted are done with Panorex films.

Cone Beam CT (CBCT)

Orthodontic imaging is becoming increasingly common thanks to newer technology. Cone Beam CT, or CBCT, provides a vast deal more information to aid with braces diagnosis and management. The CBCT provides a three-dimensional image of the teeth and jaws, providing spatial data, especially essential in patients with Cleft Palate or those who may have impacted teeth. For the orthodontist, a single CBCT exposure can produce a variety of views, including the conventional panoramic and cephalometric images.

Digital Scanning

An orthodontist can obtain a 3D representation of the teeth and bite through an automated scanning procedure. This procedure entails carefully sliding a capture wand around the teeth and capturing photos from all directions. The software then stitches the images together to create the digital model, removing the necessity for a physical impression.

Intraoral & Extraoral Photographs

Dental photographs of a person’s teeth and face are taken intraorally (within the mouth) and extraoral (outside the mouth). These images are utilized to assess a patient’s profile’s existing exterior classification and a lifetime record to maintain on file as part of your entire dental records.

Clinical Exam and Photos

The clinical assessment builds on the initial evaluation. The diagnosis is formed after a more rigorous inspection of the oral, soft tissue, and jaw disorders. Outside the mouth, images of the patient’s face and side are captured; within the mouth, observe the upper and lower teeth and how the patient bites.

Final Word on Orthodontic Dental Records

Orthodontic dental records are vital in the diagnosis and treatment planning for any orthodontic work you have done. Also, documents of your medical records are essential in deciding the best medical treatment and tracking your progress. When transitioning to a new dental provider, it’s crucial to ensure that your orthodontic records are up-to-date and accurately reflect your dental history. This not only facilitates a smoother appointment but also enhances the quality of care you receive. Dental credentialing services play a vital role in verifying the qualifications and competencies of dental professionals, ensuring that you are in capable hands. Moreover, having comprehensive orthodontic records can help your new provider assess any previous treatments and tailor future care specifically to your needs. This proactive approach ensures continuity of care, leading to better outcomes in your orthodontic journey. It’s worth noting that there are various types of these records, each relevant in its way.