FAQ's
What
Can You Expect ........
Is
There Any Discomfort?
Orthodontic therapy uses appliances (braces) to move
teeth with gentle pressure. There is usually no
discomfort in applying the braces however the teeth may
be sore for 24-48 hours after placement or adjustment of
appliances.
What
is Headgear?
Headgear is an appliance, usually worn just at night,
that goes around your neck or over your head and
uses these areas as an anchor to move teeth. Your
treatment may include headgear or elastics. Follow
instructions carefully to achieve good results and avoid
injury. Not following instructions regarding the wearing
of these appliances could result in increased treatment
time and/or a less than ideal end result.
What
About Removal of Teeth?
TOOTH SIZE ARCH LENGTH incompatibility, where the total
tooth mass is larger than the jaw length, is a common
problem we see every day. Our philosophy is to preserve
healthy teeth whenever possible, however as a last
resort in such cases, extraction of permanent teeth may
be considered.
At
what age is the best time to begin treatment?
Orthodontic treatment can begin in the primary dentition
(when baby teeth remain) or the permanent dentition
(with no baby teeth left), or anywhere in between. Some
problems can and should be treated while baby teeth
remain and the child is actively growing. Some problems
can and should wait until all the baby teeth have been
replaced. Individual timing is the key to the fastest
and best result. We recommend a child be seen by about
age 8 for a clinical exam to determine the best time to
begin treatment (of course there is no charge for
this service)..
What
is Orthognathic Surgery?
Orthodontics
is aimed at aligning your teeth. In instances of open
bite or jaw size discrepancy, surgery may be required to
align the jaws so the bite is corrected. Only about 1-2%
of all bite corrections require orthognathic surgery, as
well as orthodontics to repair the problem. In
cases of combined orthodontic - orthognathic surgery, an
orthodontist and oral surgeon are needed to evaluate and
work together on realistic goals and a treatment plan.
What
Are Retainers?
When your braces are removed, you will wear a retaining
appliance to "hold" your teeth in position.
Retainers are just as important as braces in the
treatment plan. There are different types. Your
orthodontist will choose the right one for you. You will
wear your retainer for as long as it takes your teeth to
settle into better bite, and for your bones and muscles
to adapt to your new dental agreement. Your orthodontist
may evaluate your wisdom teeth during this phase of
treatment.
What
Will Be Expected of You During Orthodontic Treatment?
Generally
speaking, excellent orthodontic treatment results can
only be obtained with cooperative and informed patients
and parents. Successful treatment is a team effort:
patients, parents, staff and the orthodontist working
together. The rewards? Your pleasing smile, your healthy
teeth, and your glow of new self confidence.
For best
results in the shortest time and at the lowest cost, you
must:
1. Keep
regularly scheduled appointments.
2. Practice good oral hygiene.
3. Wear rubber bands, headgear and retainers as
instructed.
4. Call the office immediately should you experience
loose or broken appliances.
5. Eat a well-balanced diet.
6. Care for the braces to reduce broken appliances.
Your
failure to follow these rules could force your
orthodontist to change the procedures and goals of your
treatment. As a last resort, treatment might have to be
suspended. Premature suspension of treatment may lead to
problems involving teeth, gums, jaw joints or severe
relapse of tooth positions. The consequences of early
suspension may be worse than no treatment at all.
Cooperation throughout treatment is your best guarantee
of achieving a pleasing smile and a good bite.
Please
remember that following directions and recommendations
are your responsibility. Your orthodontist will
encourage you, but cannot assume responsibility for
making sure directions are followed.
What
Problems Can Occur as a Result of Orthodontics?
1.
Cavities and Decalcification
Braces do not cause cavities, but they do trap food
particles and increase the likelihood of you developing
cavities or decalcification (white) marks.
Most patients are able to prevent these problems with a
combination of proper diet, good tooth brushing habits
and regular checkups with the family dentist. You
should brush your teeth immediately after eating, using
the proper techniques for brushing with braces. If
brushing right away is not possible, vigorously rinsing
with several mouthfuls of water is helpful. Excellent
oral hygiene and plaque removal are musts. Remember
to avoid sugar, carbonated beverages and between meal
snacks.
Check for
loose bands or brackets daily. If any part of your
orthodontic appliances become loose, call the office
immediately to schedule an appointment. A loose band or
bracket greatly increases your chance of getting
cavities. When you miss appointments and are not seen
regularly by your orthodontist, loose bands can go
undetected and may result in tooth damage.
FAQ's
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