It is important to have a beautiful smile and a healthy mouth that can last a lifetime. Whether you are considering braces to correct teeth, jaw or gum problems, or just to have a nicer smile, there are important things to understand before making a decision.
We have compiled the top 5 frequently asked questions about braces from our offices in Hanover, New London, and Clarement, New Hampshire. Our Certified Orthodontist Assistant answered the 5 questions and provided links to more resources for you and your family.
After you have read through these answers, click on the blue button to learn how to make a doctors appointment online.
1. When will I get my braces on?
Most patients think they will get braces put on during their first visit to the orthodontist. In fact, most orthodontists wait until after the third visit to begin treatment.
The first consultation is to conduct a thorough history of dental experience. This exam usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. An orthodontist will need to examine the soft and hard tissues in your mouth, make observations about your parents teeth and jaws because most oral traits are inherited, and have an open conversation about braces and other treatment methods and appliances available.
The second and third visit will be used for creating diagnostic orthopedic records, or complete records of your teeth and jaw joints. This means your doctor may take x-rays, dental casts (impressions), and digital photographs of the face to determine what type of bite you have. Documenting a long-term plan will take about 1 hour. All the information gathered will help the doctor give you the most accurate diagnosis to help you make a well informed decision on the best treatment option for you.
2. When will my braces come off?
As a general rule, your braces could come off between 24 to 30 months. An approximate time frame will be given at your first office visit, but there are a variety of factors that can determine the length of treatment.
The most important tip we can provide is to follow your doctor's instructions. Because your doctor cares about your mouth, he will give special instructions on how to brush and floss with braces multiple times a day to maintain good oral hygiene.
You will have to avoid popcorn, caramel, bubble gum or other hard or sticky foods. The wrong foods can cause the braces to become loose or break. The more appointments you need to correct brackets or wires, the longer you will have to wear the braces.
The doctor will encourage you to maintain a nutritional diet. Enjoying lots of dairy products as well as soft fruits and vegetables may help keep you on schedule.
3. How long will my appointment be?
The average time spent during the first consultation is about 20 to 30 minutes. The second and/or third follow up appointments usually take 1 hour to collect the necessary diagnostic records. A full placement of bands and brackets with instructions for care is roughly 1 hour. Periodic appointment check-ups will be approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Most orthodontics offices run on time, but there are elements that delay appointment times. For example, if a patient is late for their scheduled appointment, it can delay everyone after them. Sometimes a scheduled routine appointment turns into an unscheduled repair or an impression needs to be taken, which can require additional time.
The important thing to realize is that most doctors are going to do their best to spend equally valuable time with you and their other patients. Our recommendation is try to be on time or early for your own visit.
4. Why do my braces fall off?
Braces are specially designed oral appliances developed to move and gently align the teeth into their proper positions. They consist of brackets or bands and wires. The brackets are bonded to the teeth by adhesives, and the wires are what connect the brackets and move the teeth.
The way each bracket is bonded to the teeth prevents them from "falling off", but they have the potential to get knocked off by food or an oral habit. There are certain foods that are big culprits in knocking off fixed appliances, such as gummy, chewy, or hard foods.
Avoid
chewing gum, hard candy, ice cubes, corn on the cob, or apples. Habits like chewing on pencil erasers or fingernails or using tooth picks should be avoided.
If a wire gets loose or is poking you, try to tuck it back in place with a pencil eraser. If you can't nudge it back, cover it with a piece of dental wax the orthodontist provided you. Then call your orthodontist right away to make an appointment.
5. How long do I have to wear my removable appliance?
Most of the time, patients refer to all removable appliances as "retainers". A retainer is the last appliance delivered when the teeth look the way the parent and/or patient wants the teeth to look and function. Retainers are meant to hold your teeth in place once your braces come off. You should wear your retainer as often as your orthodontist tells you. If you don't, your teeth may start to shift back to where they were.
There are quite a few different kinds of removable appliances designed to correct specific problem areas. You may get an appliance before you get braces, or you may wear an appliance along with your braces, too. The timing all depends on your specific oral needs.
Space maintainers are used to hold on to the existing room that a patient may have while losing primary (baby) teeth. Sometimes these need to be continuously worn until the permanent teeth have erupted. Keep in mind, the size of the permanent teeth are twice the size as the primary (baby) teeth they are replacing.
Headgear is an appropriate additional appliance for some patients to correct their bite. Headgear puts pressure on your upper jaw and teeth, which moves or holds them so they can align with your lower jaw and teeth. Typically, headgear is worn at home and while you are sleeping, and you should wear it each day for as long as your doctor recommends. There are many alternatives to headgear, so ask your orthodontist about all your options.
An accidental hit to the mouth with or without braces can result in unhappy lips and gums. Some orthodontists may recommend a mouthguard to protect your teeth and braces during certain activities and contact sports.
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If you have additional questions, schedule an appointment to talk to an orthodontist in your area!
