Here at Vermette Orthodontics, the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community are our top priority. Based on current recommendations from the American Dental Association, our office is temporarily closed. We’re not alone! Many businesses have had to close their doors until the coronavirus crisis has passed.
Between these closures and various orders to stay at home, our world looks pretty different than it did a month or two ago. If you’re an established patient, you may be worried about how this will affect your treatment plan. If you’d recently decided to take the first step towards a healthier smile, you might be wondering if that’s even an option at this point!
Thankfully, technology has given us the tools we need to stay connected in these uncertain times. Although our office is temporarily closed, we’re still able to meet your orthodontic needs with virtual visits and consultations! This option is an exciting new way for us to check-in on patients and conduct consultations completely online.
That means that wherever you are on your journey to a beautiful smile, we can meet you there while doing our part to maintain social distance and flatten the COVID-19 curve. To learn more about the virtual services our practice is implementing and how to maintain your treatment at home, keep reading below!
How do virtual visits and consultations work?
Virtual visits are a form of telemedicine, something many people in this country are unfamiliar with for the most part. Fortunately, the process is simple and very user-friendly!
The first stop is https://www.vermetteortho.com/covid-19/, which contains information about our response to COVID-19. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you’ll see an option for both new and existing patients. Choose the one applicable to you, then follow the prompts on the screen before submitting your photos and information.
Dr. Vermette will review your photos and the notes you’ve included before reaching out to you with his recommendations and any additional input.
How to take successful selfies
Many patients worry about how to get clear, effective photos to send to us before their virtual visit. There’s no need to stress yourself out about this! You’ll see an example of all the photos we need on both virtual appointment pages. We’ve also embedded an excellent short video that will give you all the information you need to take the best shots possible.
If you’ve already been wearing elastics, this is a key part of keeping your treatment progressing on schedule. If you normally wear them, you should place elastics on your braces for the two side shots you see in the photo examples. This will give Dr. Vermette the chance to check that you’re wearing them properly, and to provide any necessary feedback.
The benefits of adopting virtual technology in our practice
With so many parts of the country effectively shutting down for a while, it’s become necessary for orthodontic offices to find new ways to connect with and care for our patients. Switching over to a virtual system allows Dr. Vermette to continue meeting the orthodontic needs of our community, including check-ins and carrying out new patient consultations. That keeps your treatment plan on track if you’re a current patient, and will help you take the first steps towards a new smile if you’re just setting out on your orthodontic journey!
Virtual visits can also be very beneficial when it comes to potential orthodontic emergencies. Although we’re still able to treat emergency cases in the office, you may be confused about what exactly that means. Virtual technology helps to take some of the guesswork out of that! You’ll be able to relay your concerns to Dr. Vermette along with photos of the problem you’re experiencing. After looking these over, he’ll be able to provide you with expert guidance and the best possible remedy!
Video conferences can also be a great solution for patients experiencing minor discomfort or those who have concerns about their treatment plan. For many of these situations, our team will be able to assess any damage and make suggestions with nothing more than a virtual visit. If you do have a genuine emergency, Dr. Vermette will be able to schedule a visit for you in our Concord office.
Avoiding orthodontic emergencies
Speaking of emergencies, there are some things you can do from home to minimize your overall risk of one occurring. If you’re a current patient, make sure you’re following all of Dr. Vermette’s guidelines and recommendations for taking good care of your smile and appliance. Ideally, you should be:
- avoiding any foods that are sticky or crunchy, since these can bend your brackets and warp your wires
- brushing thoroughly at least twice a day, for two minutes each time
- flossing every night, preferably before bed
- using tools like ortho picks, interdental brushes, and water flossers if you need a little extra help cleaning areas that are hard to reach
- wearing a mouthguard if you’re practicing sports at home
- informing our office of any loose or broken wires or brackets
- cleaning Invisalign aligners gently
- keeping aligners safe by placing them in a case when they’re not in your mouth
Take care of your smile from home with help from Vermette Orthodontics
There’s no denying that this is a time of adjustment for all of us. Rest assured Vermette Orthodontics is dedicated to providing you with the best possible care even if it’s from one screen to another! With virtual visits and consultations, you can still work towards a confident smile while you help flatten the curve from home.
Whether you’re already a patient with us or want to get started on your own orthodontic journey, we’re here to help you find your best smile safely! Our goal is to remain accessible while keeping you, your family, and our team healthy. Virtual visits are a big step forward, and we’re excited to share this adventure with you.