My Braces
Congratulations on having your braces fitted!! It is possible that your teeth may be tender for the first few days. You are welcome to minimize any discomfort with the use of Panadol or any other anti-inflammatory you would normally use for a headache.
The average treatment time for full braces is approximately 18 – 24 months, but this time is dependent on many factors, including keeping appointments, avoiding damage to braces, wearing elastics as requested etc.
During the course of this treatment, it will be necessary for you to attend our office every 6-8 weeks for adjustments. In addition a diet free from lollies and other very hard foods will help prevent damage to the teeth and braces, and thorough and regular tooth brushing will reduce the risks of damage to the teeth.
At these 6-8 week interval appointments, your orthodontist will make necessary adjustments and also change your elastic modules. Feel free to pick a new elastic colour each time!
Brushing
- Cleaning your teeth and gums is extremely important and should be done at least three times each day; morning, lunch and before bed. We recommend you take your time to thoroughly brush all surfaces of your teeth including your gums, the roof of your mouth and tongue. A normal “soft” toothbrush combined with the use of an inter-proximal brush “pixter” will help to achieve the cleanest mouth possible!
Flossing
- Flossing your teeth is an integral part of maintaining excellent oral hygiene. We recommend the use of superfloss at least once per day. You only floss the teeth you want to keep!
Breakages or discomfort
- In the event that one of your brackets becomes detached from your tooth, please contact us. We will schedule a longer appointment to reattach it. Please do not wait for your regularly scheduled visit, as we will not have time to make the repair.
- If you ever experience any concerns or discomfort, please contact us. We are happy to answer your questions or organize an appointment to make you comfortable. In the meantime, please use wax to provide temporary relief.
My RME Appliance (Rapid Maxillary Expansion)
The RME is an appliance that widens the upper jaw. This widening or expansion is usually done when the upper jaw is so narrow that it causes a bad bite (cross-bite). The upper jaw can also be widened to create room for crowded or blocked out teeth and to improve the smile by increasing the amount of teeth shown.
With the use of a special key, the appliance slowly widens and encourages the upper jaw to do the same. This key is turned by either the patient or their parent, as instructed by the orthodontist.
It is common for this appliance to feel strange in the beginning. We expect that it will take a few days for your RME to start feeling comfortable. When the appliance is first fitted, it is common to feel achy in the jaw. If this occurs, you are welcome to use Panadol or any other anti-inflammatory you would normal use for a headache.
The RME opens ¼ mm per turn. As the jaw gets wider, a space may appear between the upper front teeth. This space will close naturally after the widening is complete.
Guidelines to follow:
- Please be sure to turn your key as instructed by the orthodontist.
- Please refrain from biting directly into hard foods such as apples, carrots, nectarines etc. This could result in damage to the appliance. Instead, we recommend cutting these harder foods into small pieces before eating.
- Throughout your treatment, abstain from eating popcorn, ice blocks, lollies (sticky and hard), nuts, hard biscuits, chuppa chupps, minties, toffees, caramels and hard chocolate.
In the event that the RME becomes detached from your teeth, please contact us. We will schedule a longer appointment to reattach it. Please do not wait for your regularly scheduled visit, as we will not have time to make the repair.
My Twin Block Appliance
Your Twin Block appliance is in place to help position your lower jaw forward and encourage your lower jaw to grow in this manner. It is comprised of two removable pieces that work together to keep your jaw in the correct position. It is only with your cooperation that we can achieve success.
Now that your Twin Block has been fitted in place, you might notice it feels funny for the first while. This is completely normal. We expect that it will take a few days for it to start feeling more comfortable. For this reason, we encourage you to begin wearing your Twin Block gradually. It is common, in the early stages, to feel achy in your jaw. If this occurs, you are welcome to remove your Twin Block appliance for a while to give your jaws a rest. In addition; to further minimize any jaw discomfort, please feel free to use Panadol or any other anti-inflammatory you would normally use for a headache.
Over the next few days please slowly increase your appliance wear. Our goal is to have you wearing your appliance full time (day and night) after 4-5 days. To reduce your adjustment period, we encourage talking as much as you can with while wearing your Twin Block. This will help you to feel comfortable sooner. With success, we will quickly see a reduction of your overjet and an improvement of your jaw position.
Guidelines to follow:
- Wear your Twin Block for 24 hours every day unless instructed otherwise.
- It may be removed during meals, sport participation and swimming. After meals, rinse your mouth with water before putting your Twin Block back in.
- When you remove your Twin Block appliance, PLEASE place it in the plastic box supplied and NO WHERE ELSE.
- Keep it clean with your toothbrush and toothpaste. Please clean your Twin Block every time you clean your teeth. DO NOT put them in hot water.
- Finally, if you have pets, please keep your Twin Block out of reach of cats and dogs as this is common way for them to be damaged.
My Retainers
The retention phase of your treatment commences once your braces are removed. Your retainers are fitted into place and their job is to maintain your teeth in their present positions. This is an important phase of treatment, as otherwise your teeth will return to their crooked state again, Therefore, PLEASE:
- Wear your retainers for 24 hours every day unless instructed otherwise.
- They may be removed during meals, sport participation and swimming.
- When you remove your retention appliances, PLEASE place them in the plastic box supplied and NO WHERE ELSE.
- Keep them clean with your toothbrush and cold water. DO NOT put them in hot water.
Please care for your retainers as instructed. By following these guidelines for retainer care, you will prolong the life of your retainers greatly.
We will continue to see you for a period of time during this retention phase of your treatment, monitoring the alignment of your teeth as well as the fit of the retainers.
