|
 |
Before Treatment
Living With Braces
After Treatment
What is an orthodontist?
| An
orthodontist is a dentist who specializes
in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial
irregularities for both
children and adults. Orthodontists have completed Dental
School, but have also had additional
Master's Degree training for an additional 2-3 years. During
specialty training, the orthodontist learns not only about
placing braces but also studies facial structure and development. Because of their
extensive education in the growth and development of the jaws, orthodontists can
determine developing bite problems at very early ages.
The
practice of orthodontics itself requires professional skill in
the design, application and control of corrective appliances
(a.k.a. braces) to properly align teeth, lips and jaws and
achieve facial balance.
Back to Top |
|
Does my child need an
orthodontic exam?
| At the age
of 7, the rapid growth of the teeth and jaws can be a factor in
future bite problems. Visiting an orthodontist early allows for
accurate monitoring of development to decide on the best mode of
treatment for the patient. Here are some early warning signs:
- early or late loss of teeth
- difficulty chewing or biting
- thumb/finger sucking or other oral habits
- mouth breathing
- crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth
- difficulty with speech
- biting the cheek or into the roof of the mouth
- protruding teeth
- teeth that meet in an abnormal manner or don't meet at
all
- jaws that make noise, shift, or are out of proportion to
the face
Back to Top |
|
When should I make an appointment with
an orthodontist?
| According to
the American
Association of Orthodontists, children should be
evaluated by an orthodontist at age 7. Generally, few patients
actually
need treatment at this time, however, we can often improve improper
growth and prevent future problems. Advanced intervention is
oftentimes essential for a good result. If the patient decides
to postpone treatment, our office will continue to monitor
growth and development regularly.
Back to Top |
|
Does orthodontic treatment have a
psychological impact?
| Treatment
may reduce appearance-consciousness during the critical
development years. Appearance can have an effect on social
behaviors, self-expectations, personality style, and self-image. Adults
who undergo orthodontic treatment may see a positive effect on
their career,
social approval, and self-confidence.
Back to Top |
|
Do any adults get braces?
| Adults bearing braces is becoming more
common.
Once they begin treatment, adults discover the ease of wearing
and caring for their appliances. Oftentimes, adults find that
the self-confidence they gain from having an attractive smile
far outweighs the discomfort or care that accompanies wearing
braces.
Back to Top |
|
What are some possible benefits of
orthodontics?
- an eye-catching smile
- eased self-consciousness during critical
development years
- beautiful, more functional teeth
- increase in self-confidence and self-assurance
- more even wear and tear of the
teeth
- directing permanent teeth into a more favorable
arrangement
- preventing future damage of teeth
- advising other advantageous dental treatment
Back to Top |
|
What should I expect from the first
appointment?
| When you
enter Dr. Miller's office, you will immediately sense the
welcoming, pleasant, and professional atmosphere. Our
receptionists Gina and Cheryl are prepared to assist you in any
way or address any of your concerns.
One of our
treatment coordinators will take digital photos of your teeth
and a panoramic x-ray. She may ask you some questions to pass on
to Dr. Miller and he will then do a thorough examination to
assess current or future orthodontic needs. We will discuss
various treatment alternatives, the optimal time for treatment,
and any fees associated with orthodontic treatment. If you are
ready to proceed at your first visit, we may take some
additional x-rays and molds of the teeth in order to get you
started. We will then discuss some of the do's
and don'ts of braces such as what you can and cannot eat.
We generally place separators (one of the first steps
toward getting braces) at this first appointment, but in most
cases the treatment coordinator will call you back in about one
week to schedule the appointments to actually put your braces
on.
Back to Top |
|
What is the treatment investment for
braces?
| Orthodontic
fees vary depending on the complexity of the proposed treatment.
Bites with more complex problems often require additional
treatment time (and additional fees) than a less complicated
one. Some bites may require special appliances and care for
optimal results. Because everyone is different, each case is
assessed
independently. At the first visit — if the patient is ready to
begin treatment— we will estimate the fee and explain the
details of future treatment.
Back to Top |
|
What payment options are offered?
| In an effort
to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest
level of professional care, we have established the following
financial policy.
Payments:
- When full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we
will offer a 5% savings for bookkeeping purposes
- To fit the needs of our patients, a financial
arrangement can be made to extend your payments over a
period of months following an appropriate down payment.
- For your convenience, we offer direct deposit services
from personal bank accounts.
- Outside financing is available with NO initial payment
and longer monthly terms through Orthodontic Fee Plan (www.feeplan.com).
In case of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued,
although we will make every effort to accommodate our patients
who may experience temporary difficulties.
Back to Top |
|
Do you accept my insurance?
How long will I have to wear braces?
| Because each
person is different and has their individual treatment plan, the
length of treatment varies. In cases where limited treatment is
necessary, treatment may be as rapid as 6-12 months. Individuals
requiring more extensive treatment can expect
approximately 18-30 months.
However, Mother Nature isn't the only factor that affects the
length of treatment. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance,
which includes
maintaining excellent oral hygiene, keeping consistent appointments and
regular elastic wear are all important in minimizing treatment
time.
Back to Top |
|
Will just wearing a retainer fix my
bite?
| Retainers
are typically used at the end of treatment to hold the teeth in
their new position. However, retainer-type appliances can sometimes be
used to correct bite problems. Dr. Miller will evaluate your bite
to see if only a retainer is needed.
Back to Top |
|
Do braces have to hurt to work?
| Although
there is some discomfort when braces are placed and after some
adjustments, discomfort usually lasts only one or two days. Many of our patients take Tylenol or Ibuprofen after selective
appointments to ease the soreness. However, most patients are surprised that the
braces do not hurt as much as they expected.
Back to Top |
|
How often are my appointments?
| In the
beginning, it takes several appointments to get treatment in
progress. Once treatment is underway, appointments are usually
8-10 weeks apart. For more extensive cases, appointments may be
4-6 weeks apart.
Back to Top |
|
Living With Braces
Will my braces be
uncomfortable?
|
At first, the braces may feel foreign and "stick out". This is normal. As you
adjust to your braces and tooth alignment improves, this feeling will disappear. Although the brackets are rounded
and somewhat smooth, you may find it helpful to place a small
piece of wax around the bracket that is creating irritation
until the cheek tissues have "toughened". If your supply of wax
runs out, just ask one of our assistants for more!
You will probably notice some discomfort beginning 4-6 hours
after your braces are placed. Usually, front teeth, may be tender and sensitive to pressure,
possibly causing
difficult chewing or putting your teeth together. This soreness
lessens within the week. It is impossible to predict when the
discomfort will end because each patient is different. You may
wish to take Advil or Tylenol or whatever you would normally
take to ease a headache. For maximum effectiveness, it may be
best to take such medications prior to your appointment.
Back to Top |
|
What can I eat with
braces?
| You'll need to protect your
orthodontic appliances when you eat by avoiding hard, crunchy, and chewy foods
(which includes some of your favorites: popcorn and gum). Eating
these types of food can damage braces, which leads to
prolonged orthodontic treatment.
Back to Top |
|
Why do my teeth feel loose?
| Your teeth
may feel loose throughout treatment. Relax! This is normal.
After teeth loosen and move to the desired place, they will
become fixed in their corrected position.
Back to Top |
|
How is brushing affected by my
new braces?
| Despite the
fact that braces are now covering your teeth, you must continue
to brush and floss regularly so that your teeth and gums remain
healthy after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean
may require more frequent visits to the dentist for cleaning.
Always
encouraging patients to brush and floss, Dr. Miller and his
staff grade each patient's brushing and overall oral hygiene,
grade "A" signifying excellent brushing habits.
Back to Top |
|
Should I continue seeing my
dentist during my orthodontic treatment?
| Orthodontic patients should continue seeing
their dentist for regular cleaning and other general dental
work. Consistent visits to the dentist and keeping your teeth
clean and healthy by brushing and flossing can
significantly reduce treatment time and leave you with a
beautiful smile.
Back to Top |
|
What special instructions are
required for a fixed or removable expander?
| Wear your
expander all the time. That means all day, during meals away
from home, and while sleeping. Remove your expander only to
brush your teeth and while eating at home. Brush your expander
at least twice a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
|
|
| Turn your
expansion screw as instructed. Insert the key into the hole and
turn toward the arrow. Hint: always push the upper expander key
as far back as possible, which will make the next turn easier.
If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, stop
turning the expander.
Back to Top |
|
How can I protect my braces
while playing sports?
| Special
precautions must be taken for those patients who play sports. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing
contact sports. Please ask us for a mouth piece. In case of any
accident involving the face, check your mouth for any loose
appliances immediately. If teeth are loose or the appliances are
damaged, phone at once for an appointment. In the meantime,
treat your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.
Back to Top |
|
OUCH! A wire is
poking out!
| Don't worry if a wire becomes loose
or pokes out of the bracket. This happens from time to time. If a
wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (the
back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil) and carefully,
gently push the irritating wire back toward the teeth.
This gets it out of the way. If irritation to your mouth
continues, place wax or wet cotton on the wire. Call Dr. Miller
as soon as possible for an appointment to repair the appliances. If any piece
comes off, save it and bring it to your appointment.
Back to Top |
|
HELP! My bracket or band feels
loose!
| In the
unlikely event that a bracket or band comes loose from a tooth,
you must call Dr. Miller immediately. Do not wait
until your next appointment. There
is a considerable amount of time necessary to repair breakage
and we need to schedule adequately. At your last appointment,
Dr. Miller recorded the plan of action for your next
appointment. He understands how long it takes to perform each
procedure and our office schedules accordingly to stay on time.
That is why we will often reschedule to repair loose braces.
Please notify us in advance if you have a loose brace, even if
the breakage occurs earlier in the day of your appointment.
Remember, when braces are broken, treatment completion may be delayed. Help us give you
a beautiful smile — on time.
Please bring the loose brace in to your emergency appointment.
Back to Top |
|
Advantageous advice on wearing
rubber bands
| Dr. Miller
has prescribed rubber bands to be worn as part of your
orthodontic treatment. Rubber bands are a crucial part of your
treatment if you would like your braces removed on
schedule. Rubber bands move teeth in ways Dr. Miller is unable
to do with different wires. Without proper rubber band wear, it
is unlikely we will obtain the desired results.
At your appointment, Dr. Miller demonstrated and gave you a
sheet showing how to hook up the rubber bands. If there is any
ambiguity concerning how to wear your rubber bands, please call
our office immediately. Waiting
until your next appointment may have adverse effects on your
smile and future progress in your orthodontic treatment.
Rubber bands will likely make your teeth sore. It is often necessary
to wear them
gradually over the first week until you're wearing
them 24 hours per day, seven days per week. If you remove them
before eating, be sure to replace them immediately following your
meals. Because they lose their stretch throughout the day, rubber bands need to be changed approximately three times
each day. It's a good idea to change
your rubber bands after each meal.
Rubber bands must be worn continuously. It's a good idea to
have an extra pack with you at school, work, or anywhere else
away from home. If you run out of rubber bands, call our office
right away, then stop by to pick up more. Again, waiting until your
next appointment can significantly delay treatment.
You have been given a specific type of rubber band to use. Do
not use any other type of rubber band unless otherwise
instructed. Contrary to belief, "doubling up" the rubber
bands will not accelerate your treatment.
Oftentimes when our patients have worn their rubber bands as
instructed, their treatment time is significantly reduced.
Help us achieve our goal: to give you the
best possible smile.
Back to Top |
|
E x p a n d your orthodontic
vocabulary
- Archwire: Wire running between braces
which exerts a force to direct teeth to move in a desired
direction.
- Ball Hook: A part of the bracket used for
attachment of the rubber bands.
- Bracket: A small stainless steel brace
glued to the teeth to hold the arch wire.
- Coil Spring: A small spring placed around
the arch wire to either maintain or increase space between
teeth.
- Crossbite: When the upper teeth are
positioned inside of the lower teeth. Ideally all the teeth
of the upper arch should be positioned slightly outside of
the lower arch.
- Elastics: A rubber band used to move teeth
in a prescribed direction.
- Expansion Appliance: An appliance used to
widen the top jaw.
- Gingiva: The soft tissue around and
between the teeth.
- Orthodontic Band: A stainless steel ring
placed around back teeth to hold the arch wire.
- Overbite: The amount the upper front teeth
overlap the lower front teeth in a vertical direction.
- Overjet: The amount the upper front teeth
protrude out in front of the lower front teeth.
- Rubber Tie: A grey, colored, or clear tie
used to secure the arch wire to the bracket.
- Steel Tie: A small steel wire tied to the
bracket to secure the arch wire to the bracket.
Back to Top |
|
Just Say No!--Foods and other
objects to avoid while wearing braces
Avoid all
hard, sticky or chewy food (in other words, your favorites).
- Ice
- Pizza Crust
- Hard Pretzels
- Doritos, Tacos, Tostitos, Cheetos, Fritos, etc.
- Hard Rolls or Bagels
- Beef Jerky, Slim Jims
- Suckers and Tootsie Pops
- Nuts
- Pencils and Pens
- Popcorn
- Raw Carrots
- Caramel
All of these foods will break brackets and loosen bands.
Sometimes you may not discover something is broken until hours
later.
They also make brushing more difficult.
Back to Top |
|
After Treatment
How do I properly
care for my retainers?
- Wear your retainers full time (except when eating), until Dr.
Miller
instructs otherwise.
- When you take your retainers out to eat, always put
them in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school
lunch rooms or restaurants.)
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush
and toothpaste in warm water. Brushing retainers removes the
plaque, and eliminates odors.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS
be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice
speaking, reading, or singing out loud to adjust to them
faster.
- Retainers are not indistructable, so treat them with care. If
retainers are lost or broken, call us immediately for an
appointment to replace or repair your retainer. Although
there may be a charge for replacement or repair, it is a
relatively inexpensive way to protect the investment you
have made in your fantastic new smile. With proper care,
retainers will last for years.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your
retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Trying
to adjust them yourself could result in catastrophe.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Remove retainers when swimming (and don't forget your
case).
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards,
pockets, Sparky, the washing machine, and napkins.
Back to Top |
|
How long do I have to
wear my retainers?
| The final
observation and retention period of treatment normally spans
approximately 24 months. During this period, appointments are
less frequent. Usually retainers are worn
all day and night for 6 months. As retention continues, the
retainers are generally worn every night for an additional year
and then progressively less as instructed. Each person's
requirements are different and a different
schedule may be recommended by Dr. Miller. In most cases, part-time wear is
recommended indefinitely to maintain the
desired changes that have been achieved. Just remember,
orthodontic retention is a lifetime commitment to
periodic wearing of your retainers.
Back to Top |
|
Will I have to return for more exams?
| After your braces are removed and you begin
wearing your retainers, you will need to return for regular
retainer checks after 8 weeks. If you continue to wear your
retainers as instructed by Dr. Miller, your next appointments
will be about 3-4 months later, which will then progress to an
exam every 6 months. These perpetual check-ups are to ensure the
maintenance of your beautiful new smile you've worked so hard to
achieve.
Back to Top |
|
|
