Why Burke & Redford Orthodontists Favor Careful Planning versus Same‑Day Braces
Slow Down to Speed Up
How to avoid unexpected issues for your child and save months of frustration tomorrow.
Convenience vs. Precision
When parents call an orthodontic office, they often hear: “Great news! Your child can leave with braces on today.” At first, it sounds efficient: one visit, no second opinion, no chance for a teenager to change their mind.
Dr. Ryan Redford, a board-certified orthodontist and partner at Burke & Redford Orthodontists in Temecula and Lake Elsinore, has seen the hidden cost of rushing.
Second Opinions Provide Clarity
Families frequently arrive for second opinions, confused that treatment already underway never addressed missing adult teeth, impacted canines, or bite issues.
The lesson is simple: orthodontic success starts with a meticulous diagnosis and accurate treatment plan. Skipping certain steps can lead to surprises, prolonged treatment, and bigger bills. Below, we explain why Burke & Redford Orthodontists advocates a “plan first, place later” philosophy and how that additional appointment keeps children and teenagers on the fastest road to a healthy, confident smile.
What Exactly Is a “Same‑Day Start”?
Many practices advertise same‑day braces start. Your child meets the orthodontist, records are taken, and brackets or aligners are delivered before you leave. From a business standpoint, it locks in the case and sidesteps parents who might seek another expert opinion.
From a clinical perspective, it often means decisions are made before the doctor has:
- thoroughly evaluated x‑rays or 3D scans
- made a step-by-step treatment plan with contingencies for if certain aspects of treatment don’t go according to plan
- or discussed long‑term goals, like how missing teeth will be replaced when growth stops
Five Downsides Parents Rarely Hear About
- Incomplete Diagnosis
Quick impressions miss the fine print. A panoramic film alone can hide an impacted canine veering toward a lateral‑incisor root. Without a 3D CBCT, an orthodontist may never see the collision until root damage has begun. - Loss of Opportunity to Consider the Proposed Treatment Options
Families deserve time to compare treatment plan options, appliance choices (self-ligating braces, Invisalign, ceramic brackets, metal brackets, etc.), and office culture. Same‑day bonding makes backing out awkward and expensive. - Generic, One‑Size Treatment Plans
When brackets go on before the doctor completes a thorough workup and treatment plan, the plan is essentially “guess‑and‑check.” Details and nuance can be missed, leading to worse results. - Financial Surprises Down the Road
Parents may sign the contract, only to learn months later that congenitally missing premolars will need implants, which can cost parents thousands of extra dollars in the future. - Higher Chance of Mid‑Course Corrections and Extended Treatment Time
Repositioning brackets, waiting for baby teeth to shed, extracting teeth mid‑treatment, or introducing miniscrews late all result in extra treatment time. This means more time in braces for kids eager to finish their treatment.
The Burke & Redford Orthodontists Protocol—Plan First, Place Later
Visit 1: Complimentary Exam and Consultation
- Warm office tour; necessary photos and x-rays.
- Low‑dose CBCT (only if clinically necessary) and an iTero digital impression if needed.
- No obligations. No fees.
Board Certified Orthodontist Doctor Review
Dr. Redford examines tooth development and position, jaw relationships, the bite, bone density, tooth angulation, and esthetics. If needed, he consults with your family dentist or oral‑surgery colleagues before finalizing your child’s best course of treatment.
Family Consultation
Parents view the records together with the orthodontist on a large monitor. Treatment options are clear:
- Self‑Ligating Metal Braces—broad, full smiles.
- Self‑Ligating Ceramic Braces—translucent brackets for image‑conscious teens.
- Invisalign® & Invisalign Teen—clear aligners custom‑sequenced in 0.25 mm steps.
- Palatal Expanders, Space Maintainers, Habit Appliances where growth guidance is critical.
Every question is answered. Only when parents are comfortable do we schedule the next visit.
Visit 2: Appliance Placement
How Our Orthodontic Services Benefit from a Thoughtful Plan
- Self-ligating Braces (Metal & Ceramic)—Bracket positioning is done by the orthodontist, not delegated out to clinical staff. The positioning of the brackets determines the final position of the teeth, so this step is critical to a good result.
- Invisalign® Teen—Dr. Redford used CAD/CAM technology to plan and stage tooth movement himself. The aligners are then fabricated based on his instruction for final tooth position. Again, this step is not delegated out to Invisalign lab technicians or other clinical staff.
- 3‑D Baseline Imaging—digital impressions are taken to capture the initial position of the teeth and bite for comparison later.
Rushed Starts vs. Planned Care
Example Case Scenarios
Camila, age 13 visited a “quick‑start” office. Brackets went on that day. Eight months later, her lateral incisors showed 3 mm of root shortening. A CBCT at Burke & Redford Orthodontists revealed an overlooked impacted canine pressing against the roots. Treatment paused, surgical recovery of the impacted canine was required, and Camila’s total time in braces doubled.
Ethan, age 9, saw Dr. Redford first. His CBCT displayed ectopic canines early. With space created via an expander and removal of the baby canines before braces, the canines erupted normally. Total treatment: 6 months of an expander and then a fixed retainer to maintain space, roots intact, no surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Same-Day Braces
Is it bad to get braces the same day as the exam?
Not inherently, but without comprehensive records and the time taken to study the case and make a plan, critical issues can be missed. Burke & Redford Orthodontists and Dr. Redford know that a planning phase is worth the extra visit into the office.
How long do you normally put braces on after the consultation?
Usually 7–14 days. That window lets Dr. Redford and Burke analyze the orthodontic records, measure the x-rays, and spend time planning out a written and unique treatment plan for each patient.
Does the extra visit cost more?
No. The consultation, CBCT (if indicated), and discussions are complimentary (free). In fact, preventing mid‑course surprises often saves money.
Will my child need two phases if we start early?
It depends. Phase I treatment will only be advised if there is a compelling need and/or social concerns. A second phase is usually needed, but it is often shorter and simpler.
Are Self-ligating Braces (like Damon braces) faster than regular braces?
Not really. Research shows self-ligating systems can reduce the time in the chair adjusting the braces when at the office, but not the overall time in treatment. Talk with Dr. Redford and he will be happy to discuss all options with you.
Can Invisalign clear aligners be printed the same day?
No. Aligners are custom fabricated after the orthodontist has communicated with the lab about the desired final position of the teeth and staging involved. Rushing a design will risk tracking errors and refinements later.
What if we want a second orthodontist’s opinion?
We encourage it! Informed parents are confident parents. Bring Dr. Redford any questions; our records are yours to keep.
Why Families Trust Dr. Ryan Redford
- Board‑Certified Expertise – Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, trained at UCLA Dentistry and Medical College of Virginia.
- Tech‑Forward, Child‑Centric Care – Planmeca CBCT, iTero Lumina scanning, kid‑friendly orthodontic office, and talented and experienced clinical assistants keep visits efficient.
- Transparent Fees & Flexible Financing – Zero‑interest plans; PPO maximization handled by our expert team.
- Continuity of Care – Dr. Redford oversees every phase.
- Dr. Michael Burke continues to consult, bringing 30 plus years of wisdom to complex cases.
A Thoughtful Invitation for a Free Orthodontic Consultation or Second Opinion
A beautiful smile should never be built on rushed decisions. Give your child the advantage of a free, no‑obligation digital baseline scan with Burke & Redford Orthodontists. One extra planning visit today protects every tooth root and every dollar you invest tomorrow.
📞 Call (951) 699-8011 or fill out the form on our website anytime to request your complimentary consultation with Dr. Redford who will discuss same day braces and your best options.
Discover how slowing down for precision lets your child’s smile journey reach the finish line faster, safer, and more confidently.