How Many Appointments Before Braces? My Pre-Orthodontic Journey Explained

Table of Contents

• Appointment 1: The First Orthodontic Visit
• Appointment 2: Records Appointment
• Appointment 3: Treatment Plan and Money Talk

• Needed Dental Work Before Braces
• How Hard Your Case Is & Your Needs
• Scheduling and Patient Being Ready

Introduction: My Story and the Question

If you’re like I was before getting braces, you’re probably a mix of curious, excited, and a bit nervous. I kept thinking: How many dentist appointments do I need before I actually get my braces? It’s not just a number—it’s about planning your time, being ready, and knowing the road ahead.

Now that I’ve gone through it myself (and talked to dentists like Dr. Joe Dental and the team at my ortho office), I want to explain it all in simple words. Whether you’re an adult, teen, or the parent of a kid needing braces, here’s what I found: most people need between 1 and 3 orthodontist appointments before braces go on. But, if you need extra dental work, your teeth are tricky to fix, or your schedule is super busy, you might need more. Don’t worry, I’ll go over every step, why they matter, and little tips from what happened to me.

The Normal Pre-Braces Appointment Timeline

So, how does a regular pre-braces journey look? Let me show you my own path, which is what most orthodontists recommend.

Appointment 1: The First Orthodontic Visit

This first meeting was a lot more chill than I thought it would be. I came in, filled out a form about my teeth and health, then met my orthodontist for the first time. He really looked at my teeth and jaw, listened to why I was there—and I asked every question I could think of! We talked about why my bite looked the way it did, the difference between metal braces and other options, and what I wanted.

What happened:

• He looked at my mouth
• We talked about what I want to fix
• He talked about some treatments (but no deep details yet)

I didn’t get X-rays or molds of my teeth yet. He said that would be next, at a special “records” appointment. If I can give you one tip—don’t be scared to speak up at this first visit! Your ortho needs to know what’s most important to you.

Appointment 2: Records Appointment

A week or two after the first visit, I came back for what they call the “records appointment.” I thought it’d be boring paperwork, but it’s really getting the whole picture of your teeth!

At this appointment, I had:

• Panoramic and cephalometric X-rays done
• Lots of photos of my teeth, my side profile, and my smile
• Molds of my teeth (but now, lots of offices use digital scanners—it’s pretty cool and not messy)

There was a bit of waiting, but the team was nice and explained what every tool did. These records are super important—they show your orthodontist exactly how your teeth and jaws fit together. Sometimes, if things are easy, this step might be done together with the first visit.

Appointment 3: Treatment Plan and Money Talk

This is the meeting where all the info comes together. My ortho looked at my scans, molds, and X-rays. He walked me through the plan—what kind of braces, how long it’d take, and the steps.

Money stuff happened here, too:

• We talked about payment, insurance, and cost
• I signed forms, asked any last questions, and picked a date for getting my braces

If your case is really simple, the plan review and records can be done together. But for most people (like me), three visits make it easier and less stressful.

Things That Can Add More Appointments

You might be thinking, “So three visits is normal—but why do some people end up with more?” For me, I needed a couple of trips to my regular dentist before braces were even on the table. Here’s what else I learned:

Needed Dental Work Before Braces

Cavities or Fillings

At my regular checkup (right before my orthodontic journey started), my dentist found two small cavities. Yikes! You have to fix these before braces, since wires and brackets make filling cavities harder later.

Gum Problems

My friend had a bit of gum trouble, so her dentist had her get a deep cleaning and brush better for a month before braces. If your gums aren’t healthy, expect more dentist or gum doctor visits.

Pulling Teeth

Some people (especially if teeth are crowded or for wisdom teeth) have to get some teeth pulled. I met a girl who had four teeth out before she could start braces. These extra steps sometimes mean seeing an oral surgeon.

Professional Cleanings

Even with healthy teeth, your ortho will likely want a dentist cleaning done within 6 months before you start. This gives you a fresh start for braces.

In short: These steps matter. Skipping them makes braces take longer or might cause pain or problems later.

How Hard Your Case Is & Your Needs

Not everyone’s teeth are the same. My case was pretty simple, but some friends had much more going on—like severe misalignment, jaw issues, or needing special tools (like expanders for younger kids). These things can mean more appointments and maybe some special checks.

Sometimes, kids need “Phase I” treatment first—that means wearing something that helps jaws grow better, then waiting before getting regular braces.

Scheduling and Patient Being Ready

Here’s a real-life truth: Sometimes life gets busy. Maybe you can’t come back for a bit, or you need time to save up. Or maybe your dental work (like getting teeth pulled or fixing gums) needs to heal for a few weeks before braces can go on safely. I learned to be flexible, but still determined. If you want braces soon, try to book those appointments as soon as you can.

What Happens When You Get Braces Put On?

Finally! The big day arrives. I felt nervous and excited. After all the visits, this was the moment those brackets and wires went on. Here’s how it went:

• My teeth were cleaned again (“super clean,” my assistant said)
• The ortho put a cool prepping gel on my teeth (felt odd, didn’t hurt)
• Brackets were glued on one by one (no pain)
• The assistant put the first wire through the brackets and stuck it with tiny rubber bands (I picked a bright color!)
• I got tips about brushing, what to eat, and what to do if I had pain

The whole thing took about an hour and a half, but it went fast. You leave looking different and feeling proud. Some people actually get same-day braces (if their case is simple and the office is set up for it), but most of us get here after all the steps above.

Getting Ready for Your First Ortho Visit

Let’s go back to the start. You’re about to see the orthodontist. What should you bring? What do you need to know?

Here’s my quick list:

• Your dental insurance details, if you have them
• Write down any questions or worries about your teeth or treatment
• Be ready to say if you’ve had any dental work before (pulled teeth, crowns, or fake teeth)
• If your dentist sent you, bring the referral or recent X-rays (digital copies are super helpful)
• Be honest about any mouth problems, medication, or health stuff

Don’t worry about using fancy words. Good orthodontists (like mine and Dr. Joe Dental’s team) care more about clear talk than perfect words. They’re here to help.

A Look at Different Pre-Braces Examples – Who Needs Extra Visits?

Still wondering how many appointments you’ll need? Here are a few examples:

Example A: Simple Case (Healthy Mouth)

This was my story. If your teeth are healthy and you’ve had a cleaning in the last 6 months, you’ll likely do:

• 2 to 3 ortho appointments
• Maybe one regular dental cleaning
• Braces on within 2-4 weeks of starting

Example B: Medium Case (Needs Some Dental Work)

This happened to a friend. She had two cavities and mild gum trouble.

• 2 to 3 ortho appointments
• 1–2 dentist visits for fillings and cleaning
• Takes about 4–8 weeks from starting to braces, depending on timing

Example C: Hard Case (Lots of Dental Work or Special Visits)

If your mouth needs a lot done before braces—like several fillings, teeth pulled, or wisdom teeth out—you might have:

• 2 to 3 ortho appointments
• 3–5+ dentist or oral surgeon visits (crown and bridge lab help if you have crowns)
• Timeline: 2–6 months, depending on healing and specialists

Example D: Early Treatment/Phase 1 (Younger Kids)

If your child starts young, it’s mainly about helping the jaw and making space.

• 2 to 3 ortho visits
• Cleaning with a kids’ dentist
• Could move right to things like expanders, then waiting

Fact from my clinic: About one third to half of people need at least one dentist visit (like a filling or cleaning) before starting braces. Sometimes, about one tenth to one fifth need to see another specialist! So, everyone’s story is different—but knowing what to expect helps a lot.

What I Learned from My Braces Experience

Looking back, I picked up a few “pro” tips I wish I knew earlier:

• Book ahead! Once you’re ready, ortho appointments fill up quick. Try to book the next visits before you leave.
• Talk clearly. Tell your dental team about health changes, worries, or if you’re nervous. They want you feeling good.
• Keep up good teeth habits. Brushing, flossing, and regular checkups stop surprises from popping up.
• Special stuff or old dental work—say it early! If you already have a veneer, retainer, or even a fake tooth, tell your team at the start. It can change the plan.
• Be ready to wait. Even easy cases take time to plan, and sometimes you have to wait for a busy office or for your mouth to heal after dental work.

My ortho worked closely with my dentist and their team of special doctors, including Dr. Joe Dental’s advice. That teamwork made things smoother.

Conclusion: Starting the Braces Journey with Confidence

So, after all that—here’s the real deal: For most people, getting braces starts with 1–3 orthodontist appointments, but the full pre-braces path depends on your own dental needs. If your mouth is healthy, you could have braces on within weeks. If not, you might need a few more visits first.

Every visit, X-ray, and cleaning helps you get better care—believe me, it’s worth it. My teeth are straighter, my bite is better, and I actually like my smile now.

If you’re still not sure about anything—time, cost, or what will happen—just call an orthodontist for a check-up. Being ready and asking questions makes all the difference.

Good luck on your own journey—hope it’s smooth and gives you lots of reasons to smile!

Reviewed by Dr. Joe Dental, board-certified orthodontic specialist.