You just met with Dr. Kovacs, and now you want to know what happens after your orthodontic consultation. The steps below show how our team at Kovacs Orthodonticsmoves you from that first visit to a confident finish, with details that reflect real schedules.
What Happens After Your Orthodontic Consultation With Dr. Kovacs
Clarity comes first. Before you leave, our teamexplains your diagnosis and outlines orthodontic treatmentoptions that match your goals and confirms an estimated timeline.
We verify insurance benefits and present a straightforward monthly number so budgeting feels simple rather than stressful. Same-day starts are available for many patients after a quick digital scan, which means you can move forward without a long gap between the free exam and the first step.
The Start You Choose
Some patients are ready to go immediately, while others prefer to plan for a nearby date. Either approach works. If you want to begin right away, we will finish your digital records, confirm the plan, and place your first aligners or braces. If you want more time, we can schedule a short records visit for photos, X-rays, and scans, then book your start at the office that fits your week.
If You Are Starting Braces
This first appointment focuses on precise bracket placement and comfort. After bonding, we place the initial wire and review simple tools that help during the first few days. Expect a calm, methodical visit, not a rush.
- Orthodontic wax: keep a small pack with you and use a pea-size piece anywhere a bracket or wire rubs.
- Soft menu: plan for soups, eggs, yogurt, or pasta the first day or two.
- Wire tips: if a wire end feels sharp, cover it with wax and call us for guidance.
If You Are Starting Clear Aligners
Alignerstarts are equally structured. You will receive your first sets, any small tooth-colored attachments that help guide movement, and a wear calendar.
- Wear time: expect full-time wear unless instructed otherwise.
- Seating: use chewies to fully seat each aligner along the edges.
- Care: clean aligners with a soft brush and cool water, not hot water, to avoid warping.
If You Choose Clear Braces
Clear bracesoffer low-profile brackets with the reliability of traditional braces. We review stain-aware foods, show you how to angle the toothbrush around the brackets, and set your first adjustment visit before you leave.
Pre-Treatment Readiness
Strong starts rely on healthy foundations. If your general dentist flagged a cavity or heavy tartar, we coordinate a quick cleaning or repair before appliances go on. Certain cases use small separators a week before band placement to create space comfortably. Crowding, impacted teeth, or complex bite corrections may benefit from selective extractions, and we only suggest that when it clearly supports tooth movement and long-term stability. You receive the why, the how, and the timing, with room to ask questions.
Your First Week
Most patients feel mild pressure for a day or two as teeth begin to respond. A few local-minded habits make the week easier.
Plan your first meal near the office so you can pick up soft foods on Central Avenuein Billings or along South Haynes Avenuein Miles City.
- Cut food into smaller pieces. Skip hard candy and very sticky snacks during braces.
- Rinse with warm salt water to calm tender spots.
- Keep wax handy during school, ranch work, or shifts at Billings Clinicor St. Vincent Healthcare.
Call us if something pokes or feels off. Our team walks you through a safe temporary fix and brings you in when needed.
Check-Ins That Fit Real Schedules
Appointments are efficient and predictable, which helps families plan around school calendars, practices at Daylis Stadium, or travel along I-94.
- Braces adjustments commonly occur every 6 to 10 weeks, based on your case and progress.
- Aligner patients check in at planned intervals, sometimes with photo updates between in-person visits if appropriate.
- Elastics do the heavy lifting for many bite corrections, so we teach accurate wear and give you extra bags so you can keep sets in your backpack, truck, or locker.
You can be seen at either Kovacs Orthodonticslocation, and our records stay synced, so your care remains seamless. Billings patients often schedule before work or school, while Miles City families choose Thursday blocks to minimize extra trips.
Keeping Treatment Moving
- A few habits keep momentum strong and timelines realistic.
- Follow your aligner change schedule or elastic wear plan.
- Keep appointments on the calendar, and let us know early if you need to switch offices between Billings and Miles City.
If something is not tracking as expected, we adjust. That can mean an aligner refinement, an elastic change, or a different wire to improve control.
Finish Strong With Retainers
The day your braces come off or your final aligner is fully seated is a significant milestone. We remove adhesive, polish carefully, and take photos if you want them. Then retention takes center stage. Teeth settle for months after active movement and always retain a natural tendency to drift.
Custom retainersprotect your result, and clear wear instructions are part of your finishing visit. We fit your retainers, review cleaning and storage, and talk through what to do if a retainer is lost or no longer fits. Backup retainers are available on request, which helps busy families avoid interruptions if one goes missing.
If You Need Dental Work Mid-Treatment
Orthodontic care and dental work can run in parallel with simple coordination. Share your dentist’s appointment time as soon as you get it. We will schedule a brief visit to open access before the dental work and another to secure wires or attachments afterward. Bring your current aligner, the previous and next trays, and elastics.
- Remove elastics and any removable appliances during the dental visit.
- Ask the dentist to preserve the tooth shape and contact points.
- Confirm your aligner seats over any temporary crown before leaving.
If a tray will not seat afterward, wear the previous tray and contact us for the next steps.
Set Up Your Next Step With Dr. Kovacs
Tell us what works for your schedule, and we will handle the rest. Our team at Kovacs Orthodonticsconfirms benefits, gives you a clear monthly number, and lines up records so your first visit flows. Call us today and schedule your consultation. You can choose from our Billingsor Miles Cityoffice.