1. What is an Orthodontist?
An Orthodontist is a Certified Specialist in the correction of maligned teeth and jaw irregularities.
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2. What do braces, bands and wires do?
The Orthodontic Appliance (commonly called braces) helps the Orthodontist control and move the teeth with maximum accuracy and efficiency.
Rubber Bands provide a force which helps teeth move. This is usually done by applying pressure of one group of teeth against the other. Unless otherwise instructed, rubber bands must be worn 24 hours per day. Failure to do so would cause the teeth not to move properly.
Arch Wires are the guide or track for the teeth to be moved. The arch wire is adjusted every time you visit the orthodontist. Each time it is moved, the tooth is closer to being where it should be.
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3. Can Habits Affect Your Smile?
Your teeth can be moved with very slight pressure in the right or wrong direction. Bad habits such as thumb or finger sucking, fingernail biting, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing can move teeth in the wrong direction and affect jaw growth. Some orthodontic braces and therapies can help you stop these bad habits.
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4. What do I do in an emergency?
Please notify the office right away if an emergency should arise. Often we may be able to instruct you over the phone so that you can take care of a problem at home. We Need To Know RIGHT AWAY if you are in pain from a poking wire or other problem. If you call and we're not in the office, follow the instructions left on the recording or leave a message. We'll return your call as soon as possible.
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5. What are bad eating habits?
- HARD FOODS STICKY AND/OR CHEWY FOODS
- FOODS HIGH IN SUGAR CONTENT
- HARD FOODS may do damage by bending wires, loosening cement under the bands or breaking the little brackets and tubes which are attached.
- STICKY AND/OR CHEWY FOODS damage braces by bending wires and pulling cement loose.
- FOOD HIGH IN SUGAR CONTENT should be avoided whenever possible. If you eat any of them, brush your teeth immediately. If it's not convenient to brush, always rinse your mouth with clear water after eating very sweet food such as cake or pie.
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6. What should I avoid eating?
- Popcorn, Nuts, Peanut Brittle.
- Ice (not even if you're careful).
- Lemons (pure lemon juice can hurt your tooth enamel)
- Corn-on-the-cob (cut it off the cob).
- Corn chips, crisp taco shells, corn nuts, sunflower seeds in the shell.
- Taffy, Caramels, Starburst, Now-N-Later
- Jolly Ranchers, fruit chews, beef jerky. etc.
- Bubble Gum - a thousand times NO!
- Pizza Crust (the hard outer edge)
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7.Maybe with Extreme Care
- Carrot Sticks (only if you cut into carrot curls that are thin).
- Apples (only if cut into thin wedges; don't bite).
- Hard French Bread (only if you take small pieces and are very careful).
- Diet Drinks.
- Sugarless gum (not bubble) if in small amounts. Check with your doctor for approval.
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8. Glossary of terms
Archwire
A removable wire that fits around the arch into the bracket slot.
Band
A ring of metal that is cemented around a tooth.
Bite
Another name for the way your teeth fit together when you bring them into a normal chewing position.
Bond
The seal created by orthodontic cement to hold appliances in place.
Bracket
The appliance cemented to the tooth that holds the archwire.
Crossbite
When a lower tooth slips to the outside of an upper tooth. (Your upper teeth should fit slightly on the outside of your lower teeth.)
Deband
The occasion of having your braces removed and transitioning into the retention phase of treatment.
Elastics
Small rubber band that are hooked from one tooth to another, to serve as an activating force to move teeth.
Headgear
This is the means by which we use a strap around the back of the neck or the top of the head to pull from the outside to move the teeth.
Headgear Band
A band on the upper molars where inner bow of headgear fits into a small tube.
Headplate
This is a "cephalometric" x-ray that we take of your head, from side to side, and sometimes from the front. This allows us to measure the growth of your face. Small plastic rods rest in your ears as we take the picture to help us hold your head in the exact position we need.
Hooks
A small wire loop used to attach elastics (rubber bands). Some brackets have built-in hooks.
Impressions
We use a soft clay-like material, which is placed in a small tray that fits over your teeth. In just a few minutes, your teeth leave a print in this material. This creates a mold for us to use.
Ligature Wire
The tiny wire that ties archwires into brackets.
Loose Band or Bracket- The bond has been broken between the band and the tooth. This is an emergency situation. See the section on "Emergencies".
Malocclusion
The technical term for crooked teeth or an improper bite.
Models
Models are the white plaster records of your teeth which come from the impressions. We pour the white plaster into the mold. When the plaster hardens we can use it as a model to make your removable appliances and have an initial record for the progress of your treatment.
Neckstrap
The part of your headgear that fits around your neck.
Overbite or Underbite- The term to describe the upper teeth biting too far over or behind the lower teeth causing severe problems and facial changes.
Panorex
This is a "panoramic" x-ray that allows us to view the upper and lower jaw, all the teeth, supporting bone, sinuses and a non-detailed look at the jaw joint. The Panorex machine will move in a circle around your head. It is very important that you do not move while it is in operation.
Separator
Small component that is placed between your teeth to make room for band placement. See the page on "Separators".
Ties and Chain
Rubber modules that tie the archwires into the brackets
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