Traditional Metal Braces

Metal braces are still the number one choice for most patients however they have come along way from their initial design. We use high quality metal braces made in the United States. Their small and flat design maximizes comfort while changing the colors each visit gives you something to look forward to!

Clear Braces

Clear braces work in the same manner as metal braces however they are made of ceramic instead of metal. Clear braces offer a more esthetic option for all ages leading to increased confidence while going through treatment. The self-ligating design of Damon® Clear™ braces eliminates the need for elastic ties that often discolor overtime necessary with older types of clear braces.

Brushing your gums IS AS IMPORTANT AS brushing your teeth! Orthodontic appliances accumulate food and plaque which cause tooth decay, white scars, and periodontal disease unless promptly and thoroughly removed. Regular brushing and flossing prevents permanent damage.

Brushing and Flossing

• 3 times a day for 2 minutes each time
• Brush ABOVE, BELOW, and IN BETWEEN BRACES
• Floss nightly before bed with floss threaders or superfloss.
• Waterpiks® can assist in flossing and soothe puffy gums
• Over the counter fluoride rinses offer extra protection against cavities

Bad news

• NO gum
• NO hard foods - do not eat: hard pizza crust, French bread crust, pretzels, bagels, nuts, popcorn, nacho chips, hard tacos, ice, peppermints, Jolly Ranchers®, Lemonheads®
• NO sticky foods/candy like caramels, Starbursts®, taffy, Skittles®, Snickers®, beef jerky
• Biting apples, raw vegetables, corn on the cob, and meat off the bone can be too much pressure on the front teeth and should not be done.
• Soda has sugar and acid which creates a great environment for cavities
• Biting finger nails, pens, and ice can all cause broken brackets

Good news

• Veggies can be cooked or shaved and then eaten
• Apples, bagels, corn on the cob and ribs/chicken can be cut into pieces (off the bone/cob) and then eaten
• Pringles® are soft enough for potato chips
• Pirates Booty® is a soft popped popcorn you can eat
• Chocolates like Hershey® bars and Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cups are soft enough

Braces irritation

Placing a small piece of wax over braces that are causing initial irritation can help the soft tissues get used to them.

Rinsing your mouth with a warm cup of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of salt can aid healing of irritated lips, cheeks, and gums.

Poking wires

Occasionally, as teeth straighten, a wire may slide out the back of the last bracket and cause irritation to your cheek. If this occurs, dry the area with a cotton ball and place a small piece of wax over the wire until you can come into the office for us to adjust the wire.

Sometimes a poking wire can be bent out of the way with the end of a toothbrush or eraser.

If it is very long, you may even try cutting it with a nail clipper.

Please call the office to let us know, even if it is after hours! We always have someone on call to manage concerns although most of the time we can walk you through how to get comfortable over the phone. 

Broken braces

If the last bracket in your mouth becomes lost or loose then the wire can remain long and bother your cheek. Call us to inform us and we will either schedule you as soon as possible to make you comfortable or follow instructions for a poking wire until you can come into the office for us to adjust the wire.

Sometimes you will notice the bracket connected to the wire but sliding back and forth on the wire – it is still broken! A sliding bracket is not an emergency but we need to know so that we can schedule time appropriately to repair it.

Expander

A palatal expander widens the top jaw to fix crossbites and make space for blocked out adult teeth. It is connected to the upper back molars and a key is used to turn the expander in order to widen it. Our team will show you how to adjust the expander when it is placed however is a guide to help at home.

Forsus™

The Forsus™ is an alternative to headgear and corrects excessive overbites by moving upper teeth back and lower teeth forward. The springs are entirely inside the mouth so visibility is minimal. It can promote favorable growth in adolescents and possibly eliminate the need for teeth extractions or even jaw surgery.

Elastics

Elastics improve the fit of upper to lower teeth. They are removable so wear them as instructed to keep your treatment on track and end with the best possible alignment!

Fixed retainers (Permanent)

Fixed retainers are small wires glued behind the front teeth and are encouraged to be kept as long as possible (some people have them over 20 years!). The advantage of this type of retainer is it is always present and preventing the teeth from shifting.  Floss threaders (same threaders as for braces) are required to adequately floss under the wire and between teeth.

Hawley retainers

Hawley retainers are removable and are often recommended when baby teeth are still present however can be used at any time. They have a wire that goes across the front teeth that can be adjusted as adult teeth start to erupt or move.

Invisible retainers

Removable retainers are made of clear plastic and cover all surfaces of the teeth. They are very esthetic and most people will not realize you are even wearing retainers! These hold the teeth exactly in the final position. Initially (you will need to wear these types of retainers full time except eating and brushing. After some time, we will instruct you to wear your retainer only at night. Teeth can be brushed as normally and retainers are cleaned with a toothbrush or retainer tablets.