My teeth look straight,
why can't I get my
braces off?
The teeth may look straight quickly but the roots of the teeth may still be well
out of normal position. Without proper root orientation, the teeth will definitely
have a greater tendency to become irregular again.
Will the adhesive from the brackets leave markings on
my teeth?
Poor oral hygiene and leaving plaque on the teeth is what causes markings.
We have been pleased with our current adhesive that has a slow release of
fluoride which kills the plaque bacteria and thus eliminate their production of
acids that etch and destroy tooth enamel. We also prescribe a fluoride gel
that we ask patients to brush on their teeth at night before going to bed.
Some of our most difficult patients have been spared from markings due to these
new materials. However, medications like this are not substitute for
thorough mechanical cleaning of the teeth. Instruction in cleaning the
teeth and diet are given at the time the braces are placed.
Do I have to wear elastics or headgear ("night
brace") with my braces? Every patient
has a different set of conditions and each is treated with exactly the
mechanical means to correct their problem. If elastics or headgear are
needed they will be discussed at the examination appointment or in the case presentation
materials.
Do I have to wear retainers?
Everyone needs time for the teeth to stabilize after completion of orthodontic
treatment. What most people do not realize is that the soft tissues are a
strong relapse force in most corrections. The bone around teeth changes in 25-28 days but the gum
tissues and muscular function of the lips and tongue will adapt very slowly to
the new positions of the teeth and will cause relapse if they are not balanced with retainers.
Both retainers are removable and worn just at night, in most cases, for a period of at
least 2 years.
What can I do to make my teeth move the fastest they
can? Cooperate completely with the directions you are given
with regard to wearing rubber bands (elastics) or headgear. Eat a healthy diet
high in calcium, avoid foods that will break your appliance and keep your teeth
clean. Healthy gums are vital to a fast, minimally uncomfortable treatment.
Avoid breakage by eating according to the guidelines we have given you.
Finally, always make it to your appointments.
Why are there spaces where I never had them
before? Sometimes, it is necessary to first
upright teeth over the root and then close the space afterward. It is an
unpleasant side-effect of some stages of treatment that a space occurs where we
did not expect it. With additional adjustments the spaces are
minimized or eliminated.
Why does just one tooth hurt?
Braces are designed to engage irregularities in the teeth and draw the teeth
toward a neutral position where the wire wants to be. If one tooth is much
more out of position than its neighbors, it will be the most painful for a while
and then a cascading of discomfort will occur as the pressure moves to the next
tooth, etc.
Why do my teeth feel a little loose?
The ligament that holds the teeth in the bone is stretched to about three times
its normal width (but that is still small!) when undergoing orthodontic manipulation. This is what
activates the cells in the membrane to remodel the bone around the teeth as they
move. Teeth regain
their normal firmness in 8-12 weeks after the braces have been removed.
How do you tighten braces?
We do not intentionally "tighten" braces. We change wires or elastic ties to cause certain movements of the
teeth and
the change that we make feels the same to the patient every time...tight!
Why are my gums so swollen?
Usually a big contributor is poor cleaning of the teeth during treatment with
braces. Occasionally, even good brushers have problems with swelling and it is
due to the lack of stimulation the gums. Food
creates a massaging action in the gums stimulating blood flow
through the tissues. With braces on, food stops at the bracket level, so any
stimulation of the gum tissue has to be done artificially with the bristles of
the brush. Massaging with the brush in puffy areas for a few minutes each
day will help. The swelling will almost always completely vanish within
a few weeks of removal of the braces in good hygiene situations.
TM
