Types of Braces
Fixed braces
Most orthodontic treatment is carried out using fixed braces, sometimes known as ‘train track’ braces. This system uses a combination of metal brackets and flexible wires to gently move your teeth. Most orthodontists believe this is the most effective and precise way to move your teeth. The metal brackets we use are very small – smaller than the ones that many people remember from 10 or 20 years ago. Colours can be placed on the brackets for younger patients.
Ceramic fixed braces
These are very similar to the traditional metal fixed braces, but the brackets are made of tooth-coloured ceramic instead of metal, making them less visible. These are popular with adults. (Please note that food colourings can sometimes stain these appliances).
Lingual braces
These braces are also made of metal, but are fitted on the inside (back) of your teeth instead of the front. They are virtually invisible, but can be more uncomfortable than conventional metal braces, and are only suited to certain types of cases.
Invisalign® and Clearstep
These two systems consist of a series of removable and virtually clear aligners which are created from 3D computer images of your teeth and mouth. Each aligner is replaced every 2-3 weeks. As you progress through each aligner, your teeth move little by little, week by week. Aligners are removed for eating and drinking, and for cleaning your teeth. Invisalign® and Clearstep are only suitable for minor corrections
Life with Braces
Eating with Braces
What can you eat? Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat! For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. But you'll need to be careful with your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.
Foods to Avoid
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, liquorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, crisps
- Sticky foods: toffees, gum
- Hard foods: nuts, sweets
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
- Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.
General Soreness
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We'll show you how!
Loosening of Teeth
This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new – corrected – positions.
Loose Wire or Band
Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens occasionally. If wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (back of spoon or the eraser end of a pencil) and carefully, gently push the irritating wire under the archwire. Simply get it out of the way. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance. Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair the appliances. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.
Care of Appliances
To successfully complete the treatment plan, the patient must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands, headgear or other appliances as prescribed. Damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time.
Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush regularly when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.
Please Note: If you do not adhere to our prescribed oral hygiene routine and keep your sugar intake to a minimum, you could permanently damage your teeth.
Emergency Care
True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office if you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We'll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.
You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with our office. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you are able to identify what part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan.
Poking Wire
Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.
Loose Bracket or Band
If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.
Loose Wire
Using tweezers, try to place your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax does not help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.
Loose Appliance
If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.
