Arches
A Wilson arch is an appliance that is used when a patient’s permanent teeth are too far forward. It uses a special spring to push the molars back to their proper position. The doctor activates the spring at your appointment. Using elastics help make the spring work properly by holding your front teeth and sending a force to the molars.
If you find any spaces between your front teeth, then you must increase your use of the elastics or use a stronger elastic.
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Brushing
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth, between braces and the surface of each tooth. It will take you several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth and the outside, inside and chewing surface of your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse. Pay extra attention to the area between your bracket and your gum, this is where bacteria and food build up resulting in decay and discoloration.
Orabase is given to you in your start bag to put on any sore or irritated areas. This will medicate and help alleviate discomfort.
You will need to replace your toothbrush more often due to your appliances. As soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. It may be difficult for your toothbrush to reach some areas under your archwire. Do not swallow any toothpaste; rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you finish brushing. It is important to floss and use an antibacterial mouthwash and fluoride treatment throughout your orthodontic treatment and beyond for optimal oral hygiene.
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Diet
For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.
Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:
Gum (sugar-free or regular)
Licorice
Sugar Daddies
Toffee
Tootsie Rolls
Caramels
Starburst
Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:
Ice
Nuts
Hard taco shells
French bread crust/rolls
Corn on the cob
Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
Bagels
Chips
Jolly Ranchers
Pizza crust
Uncooked carrots (unless cut)
Minimize Sugary Foods like:
Cake
Ice Cream
Cookies
Pie
Candy
Only Once a Day:
Soda
Sweetened tea
Gatorade
Kool-Aid
Drinks with sugar
It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.
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Elastics
Elastics (tiny rubber bands) are a vital part of treatment and are also contingent upon patient compliance. They work with your braces to help line up your teeth. Generally worn at all times (excluding eating and brushing your teeth), elastics should be changed at least once a day. They come in various sizes as they are each used for a specific purpose. We will provide you with the appropriate size. For the First week, your teeth may be a little sore. You can take any pain reliever to help with the discomfort.
It is important to wear them consistently or treatment setbacks may occur. When taken out, please replace with new ones.
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Expander
Attached to the upper molars through bonding or by cemented bands, the Rapid Palatal Expander is an orthodontic device used to create a wider space in the upper jaw. It is typically used when the upper jaw is too narrow for the lower jaw or when the upper teeth are crowded.
By simply activating the expander through turning a screw in the center one full turn, with a special key we provide gradual outward pressure is placed on the left and right halves of the upper jaw. This pressure causes an increased amount of bone to grow between the right and left halves of the jaw, ultimately resulting in an increased width. If you notice a space developing between your front teeth, the expander is working!
Expanders can be cleaned with tablets similar to Efferdent that we will give you. You will need to wear your expander for about 4 to 6 months.
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Glyoxide
Glyoxide is an oral antiseptic that is used to shrink swollen gums by eliminating bacteria that cause gum swelling. To use Glyoxide, simply apply a few drops to your tooth brush after thoroughly brushing your teeth. A foam may appear as you brush your gums. Repeat this procedure every day until the redness or swelling has disappeared. You can also apply Glyoxide directly onto your gums if they are too sore to be brushed.
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Pendulum
The Pendulum appliance is used to widen your upper jaw or teeth as well as move the upper back teeth into their correct position.
The Pendulum appliance consists of a plastic “button” that touches the roof of the mouth and resilient wire springs that act in a broad swinging arc to move the molars back. The appliance uses the roof of the mouth as an anchor to move the molars back into their correct positions. During the first few weeks, a key may be used to expand the appliance.
Patients usually wear this appliance for 4 to 6 months.
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Phos-Flur
Phos-Flur is a sodium fluoride gel that helps prevent tooth decay while you are wearing braces by killing bacteria and replacing minerals in tooth enamel that have been exposed to harmful acids. The use of Phos-Flur does not replace daily brushing and flossing but should be done following your daily schedule at bedtime. Place a small strip of Phos-Flur on a toothbrush and apply it to your teeth for one minute and spit it out. You may not eat or drink for 30 minutes after you use Phos-Flur. It is important for the active ingredient to stay on your teeth for 30 minutes, so do not wash it away by eating or drinking.
Keeping the best possible care of our patients in mind, we have made Phos-Flur available to you in our office at a reduced cost. It is still available in the pharmacy if you prefer to get it there.
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Retention Info
When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far. For the first six months you will need to wear your retainer for 24 hours a day. After that, nighttime wear is sufficient.
Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth. Also remove the retainer when playing sports or eating.
Caring for Your Retainer
- Rinse your retainer with water when you take it out – and brush it with toothpaste when you brush your teeth. Also brush the roof of your mouth.
- Soak your retainer in denture cleaner about once a week. Never boil your retainer to clean it – the heat will make it lose its shape.
- Always bring your retainer to your appointments for us to make periodic adjustments.
- When not wearing your retainer, it is important to put it in your case. Don’t wrap it in a napkin as it will get lost or thrown away. Keep your retainer away from any pets as it could turn into a costly chew toy.
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Separators
Separators are small elastic rings that fit snugly between certain teeth to move them slightly so bands can be placed around them later. Spacers can fall out on their own if enough space has already been created. To determine if it needs to be replaced, slip some dental floss between the teeth; if it gets stuck, that means the spacer hasn’t created enough room and needs to be replaced prior to your banding appointment.
Remember to never remove your separators once they are in place.
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You and Your Braces
Now that you have your braces it is important to know each part and how it functions:
Molar bands – thin rings of metal fitted around a molar tooth and cemented into place. The band provides a way to attach the bracket and wire to the tooth.
Brackets – small metal, plastic or ceramic attachments that hold the archwire in place. They are bonded directly onto the tooth’s surface.
Archwire - main wire that acts as a track to guide teeth along. It is changed periodically throughout the treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.
Tie Wires (Ligatures) – fine wires that are twisted around each bracket to hold the archwire in place
Elastic Ligatures – tiny rubber bands used as tie wires to hold the archwire in the brackets. These are available in many different colors.
Elastics Auxiliaries –chains, elastic threads and other elastics used to move teeth.
Headgear tubes – small, round hollow attachments on the back bands.
Buccal tubes – small, hollow metal tubes, attached to the back bands to hold the archwires into place.
DO:
Make sure to brush well – always get between the braces and the gums!
Make your appliance shine!
Remember you will be evaluated at each visit on your brushing.
DON'T:
Don’t bite on hard things, gum or sticky foods – these will loosen your braces. These foods will also break your braces and slow your treatment.
Calling our office:
Please call our office if anything becomes loose or broken.
You should use your wax if needed until you come into the office.
Broken Braces and Emergencies:
While broken braces, loose bands and broken wires may occur, they are not orthodontic emergencies. If something breaks, call us. We will get you in for a repair; but be careful with your braces; most repairs are scheduled during school hours. If you have a true orthodontic emergency (pain versus discomfort), call us so that we can make you comfortable as soon as possible.
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