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Appointments

Braces

Invisalign

Palate Expanders

Retainers

Tips

Retention

Insurance

A Patient's Questions
  APPOINTMENTS top
Q: Why must some appointments be scheduled during school hours?
A: Consultations, new patient appointments, and appliance placements take 30 to 90 minutes and are therefore scheduled during the school day. We try to save our after school time for short adjustments.
  BRACES top
Q: What should I do if a bracket becomes loose?
A: Let us know at your next visit. There is no need to call before that.

Q: What should I do if I need more rubber bands?
A: Call us, and you can either pick them up or we will mail them to you.
 
Q: What if I have discomfort from a protruding wire?
A: Call us, and someone will tell you when you can come by to have the wire clipped. Temporarily, you can dry the area and place some wax over the poking wire.
 
Q: What if one of my molar bands becomes loose?
A: Please save the band and bring it to your next appointment.
 
Q: What if my child loses a tooth with a bracket attached?
A: The tooth fairy gives a bonus for braced teeth. ; )
 
Q: What do you do if a zing string comes off?
A: Bring it to the doctor’s attention at your next visit.
  INVISALIGN top
Q: What if I lose an aligner?
A: Step back to the previous aligner and call the office. We will order a replacement aligner.
  PALATE EXPANDERS top
Q: What if I am unable to turn my child’s palate expander?
A: Call first. We will be able to help you with this problem in a timely manner.

Q: What if food gets stuck in the palate expander?
A: Swish with water until it loosens.
  RETAINERS top
Q: What should I do if I lose/break my retainer?
A: You will need to arrange an appointment to measure you for a new one.
  TIPS top
What to expect at your first visit:
A short examination followed by a discussion of treatment options and timing. You may wish to begin the process by taking records (x-rays, models, and photographs) at this time. We will attempt to accommodate you.
 
What not to eat:
HARD FOOD - Hard Candy, Ice, Nuts, Hard Pizza Crust, Corn on the Cob
SOFT FOOD – Bubble Gum, Gum, Sticky Candy (like Starbursts, Sugar Daddies, Tootsie Rolls, Gummy Bears, Caramels, Taffy… you get the idea)

Avoid soda pop and drinks that contain sugar.
Don’t chew on hard objects, such as pens and pencils!
Whole fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots should be cooked or cut into small pieces and eaten carefully.
  RETENTION top

CONGRATULATIONS!
Your braces are off, and the final phase of your orthodontic treatment, RETENTION, has begun. You have worked hard for a beautiful smile, and our retention program will help you keep it.

You have two retainers. The removable upper retainer must be worn every minute of every day. It can be removed only when brushing your teeth, cleaning the retainer, and during any contact sport where a mouth guard is required. It must be worn while eating. If these rules are not followed, you can expect your teeth to move. This relapse toward their original position is most likely to occur in the period immediately following appliance removal, so please be especially careful during the next few months. If you lose or break your retainer now, your teeth can move while we are waiting for a new one to be made. The only safe place for a retainer is IN YOUR MOUTH.

The lower retainer is bonded onto your teeth and is not removable. Be sure to brush carefully around the retainer. Biting into apples or other hard fruit can break the bonds, so please cut hard food before you eat it. That is the only care this retainer requires.

Please visit your dentist soon for a checkup and cleaning. You will have regular appointments with me several times in the next year for retainer checks. If you notice any tooth movement between visits, or a retainer becomes loose, please call for an appointment so that it can be evaluated.

Ask for our brochure for more information. I'll miss your monthly visits, but we'll keep in touch. Good luck!
  INSURANCE top
We do not accept third party payments. However, if you have dental insurance that covers orthodontics, we will submit claims on your behalf.
 
If your question has not been answered above, please click here to send us an email. We will respond promptly and if applicable will add your question to this page.
 
 
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