SMILE-FX / Miramar / Braces
The stages of a braces plan have different jobs
Assessment explains the problem and proposed goal. Braces deliver the planned movement. Progress reviews evaluate that work, and retention holds the positions reached after active treatment. Understanding those purposes is more useful than assuming every person follows one timetable.
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Assessment connects findings with a treatment goal
An orthodontic assessment considers how the teeth and bite relate, rather than only the appearance of a single tooth. The supporting information can include clinical observations and records selected for the individual assessment. A photograph of a smile alone is not a complete treatment plan.
The explanation has two parts: what was found and what the proposed approach is intended to achieve. An appliance is then one of the tools within that approach. An appointment to understand those findings is a different event from agreeing to begin active treatment.
The useful result is an explanation you can connect to your own goal. If your interest began with bracket appearance, the assessment may still involve questions about the bite and dental history. That is why a product preference cannot supply the whole plan.
Relevant history helps the team understand what has already been done. If a detail is uncertain, identify it as uncertain rather than guessing. Confirm which records or information the team wants you to bring to the actual assessment.
Assessment purposes are described without specifying a universal set of records or consultation inclusions.
Sources: AAO: Understanding your orthodontic plan · AAO: How braces work
Placement starts the appliance's work; review evaluates progress
Placement puts the agreed fixed appliance on the teeth. During active treatment, the bracket-and-wire arrangement applies forces intended to move teeth. The component guide explains what the bracket, wire and wire-retaining mechanism do within that arrangement.
Progress review serves another purpose: the treating team evaluates how treatment is developing and explains the next part of the plan. This is different from simply naming the appliance at the start. Changes and instructions belong to the actual clinical plan as it develops.
A stage name is not an appointment interval. The purpose of review can be explained generally, while its schedule and content belong to the individual plan.
The stage explanation supplies no visit count, adjustment schedule or same-day start promise.
Sources: AAO: How braces work · AAO: Understanding your orthodontic plan
Retention changes the purpose from movement to holding
Active braces are used for planned movement. Retainers have the different purpose of holding the positions reached after active treatment. Teeth can change position over time, which explains why removing braces leads to a retention discussion rather than making every later care question disappear.
A removable retainer can be taken out; a bonded retainer uses a wire attached to the inner tooth surfaces. The actual appliance, individual wear and care directions, and follow-up arrangement belong together in the handoff. Those details should match the person's plan rather than a generic schedule.
General dental care also remains a distinct responsibility throughout the journey. An orthodontic progress review does not replace a dental examination or cleaning. Movement review and general dental health should stay clear in the explanation of who does what.
The retention handoff should identify the actual appliance and its individual directions.
Sources: AAO: Understanding retainers · AAO: Understanding your orthodontic plan · AAO: How braces work
A fictional stage map separates purpose from service scope
Imagine a fictional proposal organized under the four headings below. Its headings explain the clinical journey. They leave a separate question about which visits and services are included in the written agreement. That second question belongs to the estimate, rather than being answered by the stage labels.
For example, a retention heading can explain the holding phase without saying which retainer design is proposed or what its service arrangement includes. Keeping those fields distinct makes the plan clearer without inventing a clinic protocol.
| Stage heading | Purpose | Separate information in an actual proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Understand findings and the proposed goal | Records and actual next step |
| Placement and active treatment | Put the appliance in place and direct movement | Actual system and supplied directions |
| Progress review | Evaluate treatment as it develops | Actual review arrangements and service scope |
| Retention | Hold positions after active treatment | Actual appliance, directions and follow-up scope |
This stage map is a fictional teaching example, with no patient findings or timetable.
Sources: AAO: How braces work · AAO: Understanding your orthodontic plan · AAO: Understanding retainers
Keep treatment stages and written service scope clear
Clinical stages describe the purpose of care. A written estimate identifies the services and payment terms offered for the proposed plan. A reference to retention explains the holding phase, while the actual agreement needs to explain how its appliance and follow-up are covered.
SMILE-FX publishes finance and insurance information. Use that official information to discuss the actual service scope and payment terms with the team, and confirm the relevant details in writing before comparing arrangements.
Discuss the scope and terms of the actual proposal directly with the clinic.
Sources: AAO: Understanding your orthodontic plan · AAO: Understanding retainers · SMILE-FX: Finance and insurance information
Prepared for SMILE-FX with AI assistance. Educational sources checked October 19, 2026. No named clinician review is claimed.
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