Many foreigners come to Joinway Dental for information about braces. Some clients plan to live in Beijing for only a short time, so they want to know what their options are regarding orthodontic procedures. Here are our suggestions:

• Consultation: Get detailed information from a reliable dentist who is willing to prepare a personalized orthodontic treatment and payment plan.  Expect to work with your dentist for at least two years.    

• X-rays and imprints: Panoramic x-rays and imprints of the whole mouth are necessary for simulations and fittings.  Dentists perform these tasks on a regular basis, so you should be able to visit virtually any clinic to obtain them.    

• Personal photos: Photographs from different head angles should be taken ahead of time to compare against the final results. You can explain your needs to the dentist.    

• Final plan: A final plan will be made after the x-rays and imprints are analyzed.  Any potential problems should be identified at this stage as well. This part is a very important test of your dentist's communication skills and at the end, the two of you should have a clear agreement about the course of action you will take and how the procedure will be paid for.    

• Pre-treatment: Teeth cleaning, extraction and scraping are required in certain cases.    

• Separation between teeth: If necessary, the dentist may need to place a rubber barrier between two molars in order to protect them from the damage a metal crown might cause.  This course usually takes a week to complete, and may cause some temporary, minor pain.    

• Braces: New braces are usually uncomfortable for about a week, but Vitamin B and Zinc can help. If you don't want people to see your braces, please ask your dentist in advance about lingual or porcelain braces.    

• Regular check-ups: Be sure to visit your dentist once a month.    

• Adjustment of the middle line:  The most important aspect in an orthodontics treatment course is the middle line.  On a vertical plane, the space between your two front teeth should fall right in the center of your face.  Horizontally, the middle line is based on your incisors.    

• Removal of braces: After the whole course, professional cleaning and bleaching will make your teeth sparkle.    

• Retainer: If you decide to go with a retainer instead of braces, it's necessary to wear it around the clock for the first year, and adults need to wear a retainer longer than children. This step is simple but very important. If you won't be in Beijing for that duration, you can finish the course with another dentist.