Introduction
Check your braces daily for anything loose or bent. If a bracket or band comes loose or you break a wire, please call our office to arrange an appointment long enough to repair it. Try to explain what has happened by using the diagram provided. Be as specific as possible with the receptionist. Even if something breaks the day of an existing appointment, please call to let us know prior to your appointment so we can schedule enough time to make the repair and continue with the adjustment. If sufficient time is not set aside, we may only be able to do the repair and will need to reschedule the adjustment.
Separators (Spacers)
A separator creates space between teeth prior to having a brace (band) fitted around the teeth. Separators feel like food caught between your teeth and can make the teeth slightly tender. Avoid gum, sticky or chewy foods, flossing, and picking at the separators, which will cause them to come out prematurely.
Separators may become loose and fall out once space has been created which is not a problem. Spacers do not require replacement unless your appointment is a week or more away. Please call our office if you have any questions.
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Elastics
Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force thus creating the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for elastics to be effective at fixing your bite, you must wear them according to Dr. Carcara’s instructions. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:
Tips for Wearing Your Elastics
- Make sure you wear your elastics as instructed. Remove them only when brushing your teeth and put them back on immediately.
- Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks you can replace it immediately. If your supply is low or you lose your elastics, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics or you can stop by to pick up more.
- If you forget to insert your elastics one day, DO NOT double up the next day — just follow your regular instructions.
- Elastics become worn out. When they lose their elasticity, they don't provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. It is very important to change them as directed, even when they are not broken.
- Call our office immediately if your elastics break frequently, a wire or band loosens, or a hook breaks off. Don't wait until your next appointment. These problems need to be corrected as soon as possible!
Removable Appliances
Removable appliances are carefully designed to move your teeth (i.e. Bionator, Biteplate, Schwartz)or to hold your teeth in position (i.e. retainers). It is important to wear the appliance according to the doctor’s instructions and to bring it to each appointment.
Wear your appliance as instructed by Dr. Carcara. It may be removed while eating, swimming, brushing, or playing vigorous sports activities. In two or three days your speech will return to normal with the appliance in place. Avoid flipping your appliance with your tongue. This can cause damage to your teeth or breakage of your appliance.
Your new appliance may make your teeth sore for a day or two, especially after an adjustment. However, if you have a sore spot on your gums call our office so that we can adjust the appliance.
Your new appliance may make you have extra saliva in your mouth, but this should return to normal within a few days. Clean your appliance by brushing it daily with toothpaste. If you are wearing a bonded wire retainer behind your front teeth, be extra careful to clean the wire and the area around it. Flossing should be performed every day with a bonded wire retainer and a floss threader to prevent cavities and/or periodontal problems.
Never wrap your appliance in a paper napkin or tissue and set it down on the table. You or someone else may throw it away. Don't put it in your pocket when playing as you may break or lose it. Whenever it is not in your mouth it should be in the plastic appliance case provided you.
Keep your appliance away from dogs or cats as they love to chew on them. Avoid storing them near any source of heat. Do not boil your retainer to sterilize it! If needed, bring it to the office and we will be happy to disinfect it for you.
If your appliance ever becomes loose or does not fit, please call our office to schedule an appointment to have it checked. An additional charge will be incurred for lost or broken appliances (fixed or removable).
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