Braces
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      Braces Treatment Process

      STAGE 1: ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATION: Oral examination for treatment planning includes:

      • Comprehensive dental examination and explanation of findings
      • Soft tissue and gum check
      • Oral cancer check
      • Bite analysis
      • A series of dental photographs
      • An opportunity to ask a dentist any question you may have about our treatments
      • A personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs
      • A discussion about your dental concerns, goals and desires

      If the patient agrees to go ahead with braces, it is required to take two 2-D X-rays - Cephalometric and Panoramic X-ray to serve as a record and additional reference for treatment planning.

       

      STAGE 2: BRACES BONDING: This stage involves the placement of the brackets. The surface of the teeth needs to be cleaned and the brackets and bands will be cemented on. Arch wires will be cut to the desired length and attached to the brackets. If required, elastics and metal ties will be placed. The dentist will give the patient instructions on how to use interdental brushes, orthodontic wax and elastics if necessary.

       

      How to care for your teeth with braces:

      1. Right after adjustments, patients tend to feel sore or develop headaches for a few days. This is normal and due to the tension created from teeth realignment. The discomfort will go away on its own. Painkillers may help relieve the symptoms. If it persists, please contact us for assistance.
      2. It will take a few days to get used to having brackets and wires on your teeth. You may develop some ulcers and feel soreness in the area. If this happens, place a small ball of orthodontic wax directly on the part of the bracket or wire that is poking.
      3. Brackets may dislodge from chewing hard food such as ice, crabs, nuts and meats with bones. Maintain a soft diet and if one of your brackets dislodge, contact us for an appointment to see the dentist.
      4. You are required to have a full scaling and polishing done at least every six months. This will ensure good oral health especially because braces make it more difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth and make flossing almost impossible. Patients must use Interdental Brushes daily to clean in between the wires and teeth. It is recommended to use a fluoride toothpaste with a small round toothbrush to clean the surface of the teeth and the gumline. The use of fluoride mouth rinse is also helpful for patients with higher risk of decay.

       

      STAGE 3: REGULAR ADJUSTMENTS: Every 4 to 8 weeks, the dentist needs to adjust or "tighten" your braces. The dentist will take some time to look at your teeth and evaluate their progress. He or she will want to determine if they are moving at the right rate, direction, and angle. This is also when they will make sure you are properly caring for both your teeth and your braces between visits.

      The orthodontist may remove and then put an arch wire back onto your braces (this may either be the old one or a new one if it is needed You will also get new elastics - rubber bands that apply pressure to the arch wire and keep it attached to the brackets - placed on each bracket, along with any other new options, such as power chains (elastic chains made from a continuous band to bring your teeth together more quickly) if they are deemed necessary.

       

      STAGE 4: REMOVING THE BRACES: Once both the patient and the dentist are happy with the teeth position, it is now time to remove your braces. The dentist will carefully remove the brackets and any traces of cement and will also clean the surface of the teeth. Photos of the teeth will be taken as records. The last step will be to scan your teeth digitally to fabricate your retainers which will be given to you a week later.

       

      OCCLUSAL ADJUSTMENT: During this stage, occlusal adjustment may be done. This involves modification of the biting surfaces of a tooth, or teeth, to improve function or morphology. by grinding and shaping of selected tooth surfaces to improve contact patterns and is performed to remove tiny interferences that keep teeth from coming together properly.

       

      STAGE 5: RETAINER WEAR: After the braces treatment, you will need to wear your retainers long term for optimal teeth alignment. Most dentists recommend you wear your retainers full time for the first 4-6 months after treatment is completed then every night indefinitely to maintain your beautiful smile. If you do not wear your retainers for even a few days or weeks, your teeth position may start to shift. The longer you leave your teeth without retainers, the more risk of your retainers no longer fitting. If your retainer is broken or lost, please contact us immediately for replacement (additional charges will be incurred If teeth have shifted after completion of orthodontic treatment, additional charges apply for further orthodontic realignment.

       

      Taking care of your Clear retainers

      1. Remove your retainers when eating or drinking anything aside from water. Plastic may stain due to colored drinks or may be deformed from strong bite forces or hot water.
      2. Always place it in a retainer box when not in use. Do not wrap it in tissue. This is the most common way of losing your retainers.
      3. Make sure you clean your retainer as soon as you remove it from your mouth, while it's still wet. This will make it easier to clean off any debris before it hardens. Brush out your retainer with lukewarm water after each meal. It's a good idea to brush your teeth at this time as well.
      4. For a deeper clean, mix lukewarm water with mild dish soap (toothpastes are abrasive and can scratch the retainer's surface Use a soft toothbrush or denture brush to gently scrub away plaque and other debris. You may also soak it in a cup of lukewarm water with one tablet of cleaner.