Dear Patient,
Congratulations! You are now at a point in your treatment when your orthodontic result can be expected to be stable without continued observation by our office. It is critical to the stability of your result that you continue to wear your retainer two nights a week (Monday and Thursday). There are always forces present in your mouth (such as muscular forces generated by chewing, eating, and talking) that have the potential to move teeth. Your retainers are designed to counteract these forces.
Should you ever lose or break your retainers, be sure to contact our office for a replacement. Should your retainers ever become tight or loose, please contact our office for an adjustment.
As we discussed when your treatment began, included in your treatment fee were your initial treatment records, your braces, one set of retainers, and two years of retainer observation. Any adjustment appointments scheduled from the point will be subject to a nominal office visit fee.
Again, congratulations - and keep smiling!
AND...
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us!
George H. Nahas, D.D.S.
Paul J. Adams, DMD
Specifically, you should ESPECIALLY avoid the following:
• Gum
• Caramels
• Taffy
• Chewy Candy Bars
• Hard Cookies and Breads
• Popcorn Kernels
• Ice Chewing
• Spare Ribs
• Hard Pretzels
• Chicken Bones
• Bagels
• Pizza Crust
• Soda (or other sugary drinks)
• Biting ice
• Chewing pencils/pens
*Apple, pears, raw vegetables, and corn on the cob can be eaten if cut up into small pieces and chewed slowly and carefully.Remember to use common sense when choosing what and how to eat. Your appliances have been placed with adhesives which are designed to fracture when force levels placed upon them approach those levels which will result in damage to your teeth. Avoiding those excessive forces which are created when you eat hard, sticky, or chewy foods is key.
Remember, successful treatment depends heavily upon you!
AND...
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us!
George H. Nahas, D.D.S.
Paul J. Adams, DMD
Your headgear has been prescribed for any of the following reasons:
• To hold or move back the upper teeth and upper jaw
• To hold or move up or down the upper teeth or upper jaw
• To allow and enhance development of the lower jaw and to encourage it to grow properly
What Does it Look Like?
There are many different types of headgear, but all have the following in common: A heavy wire called the headgear bow, which attaches to the tubes of the molar teeth bands. The headgear bow has both an inner and outer part, the inner which rests inside the mouth, and the outer, which rests outside the moth. A neck or head strap which rests against the next or head to provide the elastic force necessary to move the teeth.
Click here to read about the types of Headgear.
Wearing Your Headgear
You should wear your headgear precisely as instructed, beginning at one hour a day and increasing wearing time for an additional hour each day. When you have reached 3 hours of daily wear, you are ready to wear the headgear through the night. Ideally, you can’t wear your headgear too much, but your headgear should be worn for a minimum of 12 to 14 hours daily (awake + sleeping time), unless specifically instructed to do otherwise. The longer and more consistently you wear your headgear, the faster the goals it will accomplish will be achieved - it’s up to you!
Click here to read more about Headgear Treatment.
Some Things to Expect
Like anything new, a period of adjustment is natural and to be expected. Your teeth, neck, cheeks, and lips may all initially experience some soreness and irritation. Sleeping with your headgear may also be frustrating at first, and an extra pillow often helps. However, after a few days of adjustment, you can expect to feel 100 percent better! Some of our patients even tell us that, after a while, they have trouble sleeping without using their headgear!
AND...
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us!
George H. Nahas, D.D.S.
Paul J. Adams, DMD
What Does it Do?
Your palatal expander acts to gently expand and increase the width of your upper arch.
What Does it Look Like?
Although palatal expanders can have many different forms, they all have certain elements in common. Palatal expanders may be either removable or fixed in place. All expanders are connected to the upper teeth by either clasps or bands. All expanders have an expansion screw or coil incorporated into the appliance. It is this screw or coil that generates the gentle forces necessary to achieve the needed expansion.
Taking Care of Your Palatal Expander
In general, there are two major areas of concern now that you have been fitted with your palatal expansion appliance: eating habits and keeping your appliance clean. You should avoid any hard, sticky, or chewy foods which have the potential to distort, crack, or loosen the appliance. You should brush your appliance in addition to your teeth with cool water and toothpaste immediately after eating. If your expansion appliance is removable, never place your appliance into anything that is hotter than you would put your hands in, as your appliance will be distorted from the heat and no longer fit properly. Denture cleaners (Polident/Efferdent) may also be used occasionally, in addition to brushing if necessary. Never soak your appliance in any solution which is caustic or soapy, as the appliance will absorb a small amount of the solution resulting in the appliance acquiring the taste and smell of the solution and possibly resulting in tissue irritation. Should you feel the need to disinfect your appliance, you may soak it for several minutes in Listerine. Should your expansion appliance ever become loose or broken, contact us immediately, so that arrangements can be made to have it repaired.
Some Things to Expect
Like anything new, a period of adjustment is natural and to be expected. As your arch expands, your teeth may be sore for a few days. You may also notice a small space open between your front teeth as a consequence of the expansion, this is normal and to be expected. This space will close naturally within a few weeks as the elastic fibers present in your gums contract to bring the teeth back into contact. Some bruising or discoloration between the front teeth can also occur as the gum tissue in that region is stretched. This, too, is natural and will return to normal in a few days. Remember, after a few days, you can expect to feel 100% better - so keep smiling!
AND...
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us!
George H. Nahas, D.D.S.
Paul J. Adams, DMD
What Do They Do?
• Elastics are used for any of the following reasons:
• To move individual teeth
• To move groups of teeth
• To help your teeth settle and fit together
What Do They Look Like?
Elastics look much like tiny rubber bands, and are made from non-toxic, biocompatible latex rubber. Elastics come in many different sizes, with the size determining the amount of force that will be generated when the elastics are in place.
Wearing Your Elastics
Your elastics should be worn precisely as instructed. Always be sure to attach your elastics to the proper teeth. Never change the number of elastics, their sizes, or attach them to teeth other than as instructed - these changes will make the elastics less efficient and decrease their effectiveness. Your elastics should be worn 24 hours a day except when eating and brushing your teeth, unless instructed otherwise. After removing your elastics, always be sure to replace your elastics with new ones. Should you lose your elastics, call us immediately and we’ll make arrangements to give you more - we can even mail them! If you lose the hook that your elastics attach to, attempt to wear your elastics from the bracket itself. If you can’t, call us to make arrangements to have the hook replaced.
Some Things to Expect
Like anything new, a period of adjustment is natural and to be expected. It is normal for you to experience some soreness in your teeth for the first few days. After two to three days, you can expect to feel 100% better. Remember, the more consistently you wear your elastics, the quicker they will move your teeth - it’s up to you!
AND...
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us!
George H. Nahas, D.D.S.
Paul J. Adams, DMD
What Do They Do?
Retainers are as important a part of your orthodontic treatment as brackets, bands, and wires. Due to the physiologic forces that are always present in your mouth, teeth have a tendency to move. Your retainers are the only thing that stand between your orthodontic result and the return of your teeth to their original uncorrected positions. Retainers are to hold your teeth until the bone and soft tissue surrounding your teeth have a chance to adapt to the new positions of your teeth.
What Do They Look Like?
Retainers come in many different forms. Your particular retainers have been chosen specifically for your individual needs. During the course of your active retention period, we will monitor your teeth regularly to insure that they remain in their positions. As time goes on, your retention needs may change, and we may change your retainers accordingly.
Wearing Your Retainers
Your retainers should be worn exactly as instructed. When you initially receive your retainers, they should be worn 24 hours a day, except when eating and brushing your teeth, unless instructed otherwise. Wearing time may be reduced throughout the the active treatment period as your individual retention needs dictate. Your retainers should be cleaned daily; and every time you brush your teeth, you should also brush your retainers, using toothpaste or mouthwash. Denture cleaners (Polident/Efferdent) may also be used occasionally, in addition to brushing if necessary. Your retainers should never be placed into anything hotter that you would put your hands into. Never place your retainers into any solution that is soapy or any other chemicals, as the retainers will absorb a small amount of solution, resulting in the retainers acquiring the taste and smell of the solution and possibly resulting in tissue irritation. Should your retainers ever become lost or broken, please contact us immediately so that arrangements can be made to have them replaced or repaired.
Some Things to Expect
Like anything new, a period of adjustment is natural and to be expected. It is normal for you to experience some soreness in your teeth for the first few days. however, the more consistently you wear your retainers, the sooner you can expect to adjust to them. In a few days, you won’t even know you are wearing them!
Replacement
Your treatment fee includes one set of retainers and 24 months of post-treatment retention observation. Your retainers have been designed to last, with good care, for many years. There is a fee for the replacement of retainers either lost or broken due to negligence on the part of the patient.
Now that you have your braces removed, the responsibility of maintaining your beautiful smile is yours. Remember, your retainers are the tools you need to keep your teeth straight - wear them and keep smiling!!! We recommend that you visit your dentist regularly -- at least twice a year -- to maintain good dental health. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us!
Click here to read more about why you need retainers.
AND...
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us!
George H. Nahas, D.D.S.
Paul J. Adams, DMD
What Do They Do?
Separators act to gently separate your teeth very slightly to allow enough space for the placement of your orthodontic bands.
What Do They Look Like?
Separators are made of biocompatible latex rubber and are shaped like tiny rings. The separators are placed between the teeth which are to be banded.
Taking Care of Your Separators
It is important that your separators remain between your teeth to allow for adequate separation. You should avoid any sticky, chewy foods or candy (especially gum and caramels) to prevent dislodging the separators. You should brush your teeth as usual, buy avoid flossing between the teeth that are separated.
Some Things to Expect
Like anything new, a period of adjustment is natural and to be expected. Even though your teeth will be moved by the separators just a tiny amount, you may still experience some tenderness in the teeth being separated. Because tooth movement is a new experience for you, it may take you a day or two to get used to the new sensation. Our patients usually tell us that the separators don’t “hurt”, they just “feel weird”. After two or three days, any discomfort which may have been present should be resolved, and you can expect to feel 100% better.
Should your separators fall out at any time before your banding appointment, contact our office immediately so that arrangements can be made to have the separators replaced.
AND...
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us!
George H. Nahas, D.D.S.
Paul J. Adams, DMD
Now that you have your orthodontic appliances, remember to keep the following in mind:
1. Use wax to cover any edge or surface of your appliance that may irritate your lips, cheeks, or tongue.
2. Use Tylenol, Aspirin, or Advil (whatever you would usually take for headaches) in the usual dosage to control any discomfort that may occur. A period of discomfort lasting 24 to 48 hours after your appliance adjustments is normal and to be expected. The level of discomfort varies from individual to individual, however, you can expect the discomfort to be the approximate level of an average headache.
3. Cut your food into small pieces and chew carefully to avoid breaking, bending, or loosening your mouth appliances.
Click here to read more about eating habits.
4. Regularity in keeping your appointments is essential. Failed or broken appointments increase both treatment time and affect the quality of your orthodontic result.
5. Careful and thorough brushing after each meal and before bedtime is absolutely a must! Be sure to brush each tooth, and especially brush around your gum lines. In addition to brushing, be sure to use a fluoride rinse as prescribed.
Click here to read tooth brushing tips
6. Broken, loose, or lost appliances should be reported to the office immediately, so that arrangements can be made to replace or repair them.
7. Believe it or not, how well your follow the instructions given to you regarding the wearing of your orthodontic appliances when outside the office is just as important as your actual orthodontic appointment adjustments. The better you wear your appliances prescribed, the faster you can expect the treatment goals necessary for you to finish.
Click here to read more about appliance parts.
8. Pay special attention to what you eat, and how you eat it! Don’t eat or chew anything that you think may bend, break, or loosen your appliances. This includes such things as gum, chewy or hard candy, hard cookies or breads, bagels, nuts, apples, raw vegetables, corn on the cob, or any tough, hard, or stringy food. You may have cookies and cake if they’re not excessively chewy. Soft drinks may also be taken in moderation. Ice cream (without nuts or chewy candies inside) is also allowed. Remember to always brush after every snack and at bedtime!
9. Certain habits such as finger or thumb sucking, finger nail biting, or chewing on pen or pencil ends can cause a great deal of damage to your appliances and teeth, and compromise your treatment result. In the interest of your quality result and your overall dental health, any such habits must be avoided.
Click here to read about rubber bands.
AND...
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us!
George H. Nahas, D.D.S.
Paul J. Adams, DMD
There is a myth that orthodontic treatment is not important until all the baby teeth have fallen out, and all the adult teeth have grown in -- this is simply not the case. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children get an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.
Click here to read more about the right time for an orthodontic check-up.
The Klearway™ Oral Appliance is a product of today’s most thorough research on the treatment of snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea.
Click here for a booklet on everything you need to know about your Klearway® Appliance.
