Spacers
What are spacers?
Spacers are small donut shaped elastic rings. They are placed between your teeth to create sufficient space to properly and comfortably fit your braces.
How will they feel?
As first, they may feel like pieces of food stuck between your teeth. That sensation may go away in a few days.
Will they hurt?
Your teeth may become sensitive. However, this will only last a few days. Any discomfort can be relieved with whatever medication your would take for a headache.
How will I eat?
No problem! You can eat normally. Just be sure to avoid chewy or sticky foods. Also, never remove your spacers once they are in place.
What about brushing?
It's always important to brush your teeth. Even with the spacers in place, you need to continue brushing as usual.
How long will I need them?
You will need them only long enough to create ample space for your braces. Under most conditions, you need them only for a week.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
What are elastics?
Quite simply, elastics are special "rubber bands." They supply the pressure needed to move teeth and jaws into their correct position. Elastics are attached using hooks that are part of the bracket or the bands.
Are they important?
Elastics must be worn to move your teeth and jaw into the proper position. They are the engine that moves the teeth. That's why it's important to wear your elastics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless otherwise instructed.
May I take them off?
If you wear your elastics for several hours, then take them off for awhile, put them back on, etc., you will experience back and forth movement, and your teeth can set up a resistance that slows or stops your progress (OH NO!). Wearing elastics is much like pushing a ball up a hill; if you stop halfway, the ball rolls right back to where you started. Only by constantly wearing your elastics as instructed will you reach your treatment goal. Remove them only to change them or to brush your teeth. They should be in place when you eat a snack, play and sleep.
How will it feel?
They should only bother you for 2-3 days and no more if you wear them continuously. After that you will find that they will not hurt if you wear them all of the time.
Other tips:
- Eat with them in place. It may be difficult at first, but it does get easier and teeth will move even faster!
- If your supply is low, call the office. We can easily mail you some.
- Change the elastics at least every 12 hours - that's twice a day, and it's easiest after brushing.
- If you happen to forget to insert your elastics one day, don't double up the next. Just follow your regular instructions.
Proper wearing of your elastics will help give you the best possible treatment in the shortest amount of time.
Palate Expander
- Your expander should be turned as we demonstrated as many times as your treatment plan indicates.
- You may notice a difference in your speech in the first few days after your appliance is cemented. The more you speak, the faster you will become accustomed to the appliance, and the faster your speech will become normal again.
- You may notice more saliva than normal the first few days. This is also normal and will soon disappear. Eating may be awkward at first. You may want to stay with soft foods for a day or two.
- Your expander is designed to widen your upper arch. As a result, you will notice a large space between your front teeth. Do not be concerned. This space will be present for only a short time.
- In the beginning, the appliance may make your teeth a little sensitive and sore because of the pressure involved. It is also normal to feel brief pressure at the nose and cheeks. If you feel uncomfortable we suggest that you take whatever medication you would normally take for a headache.
- If you have any questions about your expander or treatment, feel free to contact our office at any time.
The Herbst Appliance
Why the Herbst?
This appliance encourages the lower jaw to grow in a forward direction by positioning it forward and holding it there. It also has the ability to push the upper molars backward. We can control the difference.
How will it feel?
At first, it may feel like a mouthful but within a week it will become quite comfortable. It may irritate the inside of your cheeks at first but soon the tissue will toughen up to the appliance and it will not be a problem. Please call us to report any prolonged cheek or tongue irritation.
What about eating?
Chewing will be awkward at first. You may want to stay with softer foods for a day or two. But very soon you will be back to a normal diet (with the exception of sticky and brittle foods, of course).
How long will I wear it?
Normally, the Herbst Appliance is in for a minimum of 12 months.
What is the best way to get used to it?
First, don't play with it with your tongue or fingers. Secondly, don't fight it! Let your jaw go where the Herbst lets it. Don't try to force your jaw where it is difficult to do so.
Can it come apart?
Yes. The most common way is for the rod to slide out of the tube (see illustration). If this happens, simply open wide enough to slide it back in the tube. Another way it can come apart is for the screws to come undone. If this happens, call us right away. Save any parts you can.
Other things to report immediately:- If a rod gets stuck inside a tube limiting movement of your jaw.
- Crowns that come loose from the tooth.
- Any other breakage.
Your Habit Appliance (Graber)
What does it do?
Your Habit Appliance is specifically designed to help remind you to keep your tongue from coming forward when you swallow, and to remind you to keep any fingers or thumbs from entering your mouth.
How will it feel?
At first it will feel like a mouthful, but within a few weeks it will become comfortable.
What about eating?
Chewing may be awkward at first. You may want to stay with soft or even liquid foods for a day or two. But very soon you will be back to a normal diet.
How long will I wear it?
This will depend on the severity of your original problem and how quickly your habit corrects. The faster your habit corrects, the less time the appliance will have to be in your mouth!
Other tips:- Don't play with the appliance with your fingers or flick it with your tongue.
- Don't forget to brush your appliance every day.
- Keep fingers, thumbs, pens and pencils out of your mouth.
- When swallowing, place your tongue behind the metal prongs (against your palate). This helps the tongue assume a more favorable position.
- Keep your lips together as much as possible, especially when swallowing and chewing.
- Breathe through your nose.
Headgear
Why the headgear?
This appliance is one of the best ways of moving upper teeth. When worn well it will greatly reduce your overjet by backing up your upper teeth and jaw. (See Abe.)
How will it feel?
You can expect your upper molars to be sore the first night or two that you wear it.
When do I wear it?
We recommend you wear your Headgear 12-14 hours out of the
24-hour day. (Yes, you can and should wear it more!) When you miss a day it takes three days to get back to where you were. Remember: The more your wear your Headgear, the better the response and the fewer months it will ultimately need to be worn.
Exceptions to wear:
Never wear it during rough play and contact sports.
Always release the strap from the facebow before placing or removing the Headgear.
Always bring your Headgear to each and every appointment so the doctor can adjust it.
Keeping Your Teeth Aligned
Only you can keep your teeth straight after your orthodontic treatment is complete. There is no specific end-point to your retention period. A realistic approach is to view retainer wear as necessary for the indefinite future. Wear the retainers enough to keep them fitting. If they still fit well, the teeth have not moved much. The teeth will move if you don't wear your retainers. If you choose to discontinue use, you must assume responsibility for any tooth movement. If the teeth shift, the only way to recover could be through re-treatment and additional expense. Retainers are like eyeglasses, contact lenses, or any other personal item that is worn daily - they will wear out. There will be a charge to replace worn-out retainers. If you have wisdom teeth, please have your dentist monitor them and treat as necessary.
It has been the experience of the orthodontic profession that in most cases, about 95% of the correction is retained. Your teeth will make minor adaptive changes to function in the manner that is most natural for them. Your retainers will help control these movements. We've worked hard together getting to where you are now. Please wear your retainers so that you can keep a beautiful smile and a healthy bite for years to come.
Space Maintainer
What is a Space Maintainer?
The Space Maintainer is a special appliance recommended to preserve the space when baby teeth have been removed or lost prematurely. The appliance can also serve as an anchor to prevent adult teeth from drifting into space reserved for unerputed or additional teeth.
How will it feel?
You can expect your bite to feel different almost immediately. The molars to which the appliance is attached may get sore for a few days. You may notice it the most when you are eating and therefore you may want softer food for a few days. Any discomfort can be relieved with whatever medication you take for a headache.
Talking should also become normal with just a little practice.
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