Routine adjustment appointments do not always require a wire change and therefore can be done virtually. Additionally, things like retainer checks, aligner progress checks, expander checks, and evaluating a patient’s growth and development before they have even started treatment can be done virtually!

We have found that these very important appointments can be relatively short in time to perform but can be an inconvenience to our patients. Our virtual visit option at Igel Orthodontics will save you a trip to the office and promote social distancing!

All virtual appointments with our orthodontists in Omaha, Nebraska, start with photos. We are excited to continue to serve our patients with incredible technology and progress toward each patient’s future of a beautiful, healthy smile.

Below are a few tips for taking your pictures depending on your current status as a patient with Dr. Igel and Dr. Chartrand:

Invisalign® Patients:

Take your pictures while wearing your current set of aligners. Make sure they are fully seated over your teeth. If you are wearing rubber bands, wear them in the pictures.

Retainer Patients:

Take your pictures while wearing your retainers. Make sure they are fully seated over your teeth.

Patients With Braces:

If you are wearing rubber bands, wear them in the pictures (except when taking the wide open photos of your teeth).

 

OK, now you are ready to get started!

 

Taking Your Photos!

 

First, make sure you wash your hands before touching your face and mouth.

Using your mobile phone, we need you to take five. Below are sample pictures for you to follow. When taking your pictures, you can use your fingers to pull your cheeks back, or we found plastic spoons work well, too.
  

For the first three pictures, Dr. Igel and Dr. Chartrand need to see those back teeth (your molars). We recommend you ask a friend to help you take these pictures. Use those spoons (or your fingers) and really tug at those cheeks and get your phone close to your mouth to get these pictures. Also, make sure you have good lighting when taking these.

Front teeth example pic

Front

Bite down so your back teeth touch. Directly facing the camera, smile wide and click, trying to get as many teeth as you can in the picture. Go ahead and pull your lips and cheeks away from your teeth with your fingers to show more teeth.


teeth example pic

Right Side

Bite down so that your back teeth touch. Smile and retract the cheek and lips with your finger on the right side of your mouth to expose more of your teeth. Take a picture of the right side.


teeth example pic

Left Side

Bite down so that your back teeth touch. Smile and retract the cheek and lips with your finger on the left side of your mouth to expose more of your teeth. Take a picture of the left side.

 

The final two pictures are of your upper and lower teeth:

teeth example pic

Upper Arch

Open your mouth wide and lift your chin as high as you can. Make sure you can see the full arch and take the picture!


teeth example pic

Lower Arch

Open your mouth wide and tilt your chin downward toward your chest. Again, make sure you can see the full arch. Hold the camera so it’s perpendicular to the biting surfaces of your bottom teeth. Make sure your full arch is showing and then snap a picture.

  

You are Almost Ready to Submit Your Photos!

Click the button below that best describes where you are at in your treatment. You will then answer a couple of questions and submit your photos to our office. Dr. Igel and Dr. Chartrand will review your photos, and we will be in touch.