Patients living abroad
Visits planned around your travel schedule and treatment with regular supervision.
Does this sound familiar
Patients most often come for this with these words:
I live abroad and come to Baku a few times a year
I travel often
I want to start treatment in Baku and continue around my trips
My child studies abroad and comes home in the holidays
When a patient lives abroad or travels often, orthodontic treatment needs especially careful planning. My practice includes patients who do not live in Azerbaijan, and we build their treatment around their travel schedule. There is no remote treatment, but we plan visits so that progress does not stop.
How we plan
- At the consultation we discuss your trips and the dates you will be in Baku
- We plan visits in advance so that you are definitely seen when you come
- We set the interval between visits individually, usually no longer than two months
- I teach you to change the elastics yourself so that progress does not stop
- Between visits we stay in touch with photographs
Method according to travel schedule
| Schedule | Possible approach |
|---|---|
| I come every 1-2 months | Braces or aligners, on a normal schedule |
| I come every 2-3 months | Mechanics suited to longer intervals, often aligners |
| A few times a year | Assessed individually, sometimes aligners are more suitable |
A detailed comparison: braces or aligners.
Why supervision matters
At each adjustment we apply a certain force to the teeth and this force acts for a while. Then it may no longer be needed and the mechanics have to be changed in time. So the schedule can be adapted, but regular supervision remains an important part of treatment.
One of our patients
In one patient living abroad we resolved crowding and corrected the bite in only 6 adjustments with the Pitts21 Pro system. Well planned work leads to a beautiful result despite infrequent visits. About duration: how long does orthodontic treatment take.
Unexpected situations while travelling
- If a bracket comes off: if it is still in place, cover it with wax and send a photo
- If a wire pokes: cover it with wax, do not cut it, message me
- If you lose an aligner: put the previous one back in and message me
- Sharp pain or swelling: see a local dentist and let me know
About pain and the first week: do braces hurt.
How to prepare for the first visit
- Write down the dates you will be in Baku and your next trips in advance
- If you have X-rays and photographs taken abroad, send them in advance
- Bring the records of previous orthodontic treatment
- Let us plan together so that diagnosis and, if possible, bonding fit into the same trip
It is often possible to plan two appointments during one trip: diagnosis and plan at the first, starting treatment at the second. This saves time, especially for patients who come rarely.
Children and students
We often plan treatment for children who study abroad or live there with their family around school holidays. In this case I set visit dates in advance together with the parent and the child and explain the care of the appliance in detail. When the child understands the rules and the parent can supervise from a distance, treatment goes smoothly.
What the science says
- Systematic review (2016): the average duration of treatment with braces is about 20 months, but it varies widely depending on the complexity of the case and cooperation.
Frequently asked questions
Can treatment be done entirely remotely?
No. Diagnosis and adjustments are done in person. Between visits we can stay in touch with photographs.
What is the longest possible gap between visits?
Usually no more than two months. In some cases, especially with aligners, longer intervals are possible.
What should I do if a bracket comes off while I am abroad?
Send a photo. Often it can wait until the next visit; if needed, I tell you what to do.
Can retention be monitored remotely too?
Visits during retention are infrequent. We check when you are in Baku and keep in touch with photographs in between.
Can I continue treatment abroad with another orthodontist?
Sometimes this is possible. In that case we share the records and the plan with that doctor, but because systems and approaches differ, it needs to be discussed in advance.
Read more
Scientific sources
The information in this article is based on the following peer-reviewed scientific articles and systematic reviews.
- Tsichlaki, A., Chin, S. Y., Pandis, N., & Fleming, P. S. (2016). How long does treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances last? A systematic review. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 149(3), 308-318. [PMID: 26926017] | [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.09.020]