When will my braces go on?

Once we have completed our examination of the records we have taken, we will review them with you (and your parents) to discuss your specific needs. We will talk about what we hope to be able to improve with orthodontic treatment as well as your other treatment options and answer any questions you have.

How long will treatment take?

For most patients, treatment takes about two years. However, many factors can lead to increase or decreased treatment times. Teeth move in response to the forces (pushing, pulling, twisting) that the braces apply. We have to allow the bone that supports the teeth to react to our adjustments. Unlike the way the laws of physics work in the rest of the universe, pushing harder doesn’t mean moving faster. Once we’re pushing hard enough, the teeth will move at their own speed. Pushing any harder doesn’t make them go faster. We try to use the lightest pressures that will efficiently move the teeth and also minimize how much tightness you feel. Of course, the simple answer is, they’ll come off when we’ve completed doing the best we can for you.

What are the steps in putting braces on?

Everyone is different, so there are no hard and fast rules to the order that we put braces on your teeth. Usually you can expect the following sequence of appointments:

1. Separators - Normally, this is a short appointment (less than 10 minutes) where we put small spacers between the back teeth that help make the spaces needed to fit the bands or rings around your molars.
2. Banding and Bracketing - This is a longer appointment, usually about one hour. We fit the bands around the first permanent molars; then we secure them with orthodontic cement. After the bands, we place the brackets on the other teeth in front of the molars.
3. Wire placement - The wire is what applies the forces to the teeth. We fit the wire to the brackets and tie it into the brackets we’ve just placed.
4. Your instructions - You’re not done yet! With all these new things in your mouth, it may feel quite odd. We will go over home care, including what to expect over the next several days, how to care for the braces, how to brush your teeth with braces, what foods to avoid, and how to deal with simple problems that might come up. We’ll also let you ask any questions. Remember, no question is too simple.

Does it hurt to put braces on?

No, placing the braces is very easy, fitting the bands is the hardest part. We’ll be asking you to help and bite down on a “bite stick” to fit the bands around your teeth. Everyone’s unique, so we may be trying a few sizes to find the bands that fit you best.

Why do the long appointments need to be in the morning?

We perform the long appointments in the morning to be sure we’re able to spend the time needed getting the braces placed to the best of our ability. Getting the braces on properly goes a long way toward making treatment proceed well. Once the braces are on, most of the future adjustments can be done quickly. We try to keep these appointments short and in the afternoon/after school hours. Everyone has busy schedules these days and we respect the value of your time.

What happens at appointments when my braces are tightened?

When you come in for regular adjustment appointments, we check the progress of treatment and will typically do one of a few things. If everything is going well and the wire that is in place is still working, we may simply re-tie the wire and let it continue to work. We may replace the wire with one that is slightly stronger because the wire you had has done its job or has become distorted. We may switch to different dimension wires to change the type of pressure we’re using to move the teeth. We might reposition a bracket or two to improve their ability to straighten the teeth.

How often do I come for appointments?

In most cases, we see patients every four to six weeks between visits. Remember, the braces are working whether you see us or not. To keep treatment going steadily, regular checks and adjustments are needed.

Can I get colored braces?

Yes, every time you come in, we can change the colors of the ties (you might hear us call them "rubber duckies").

Do I need a retainer? For how long?

Yes, retention is a key part of orthodontic treatment. We use both removable and fixed (retainers that are permanently attached to the inside surface of your teeth) depending on your individual needs. The human body changes with age, the teeth are no different. The lower front teeth are the most likely to change over the long term. In fact whether you had braces or not, most people have more crookedness to their lower teeth as an adult than they had as a teenager. To keep teeth straight some people choose to keep a retainer forever.

How do braces work?

There are three main parts to the braces: (1) the brackets/bands which are attached to the teeth, (2) the wire, and (3) the ties that hold them together. The brackets are basically fancy handles that allow us to hold onto the tooth with the wire to move it. The wires are springs that provide the pressures that cause the movement or rails along which the teeth are guided in movement. The ties are small elastic rings or steel wires that hold the wire in the bracket. Sometimes the elastic rings are chained together to provide a way to pull the teeth along the wires.

How do I keep braces clean?

Keeping your teeth clean is very important during orthodontic treatment. Getting the brush between the braces and the gumline is the most important area. We will instruct you how to brush with the braces on and show you ways to clean under the braces and between the teeth.

How often should I brush my teeth?

Brushing after every meal is ideal, however, brushing at least twice a day can be effective enough.

Do I have to see my dentist while I have braces?

YES! Keep your regular dental check-ups, at least every six months. Your dentist needs to be sure that your teeth and mouth stay healthy.

What foods do I need to avoid?

In general hard, crunchy foods and sticky, gooey foods cause problems with braces .We will go over a list of the types of food that you need to be careful about eating.

Why do some patients get braces so young?

The kinds of problems one can have with their bite come in many shapes and sizes. Some of these problems are best treated when a patient has a lot of growth left or still has many primary (“baby”) teeth. Other problems can wait until a patient is older and has only permanent teeth.

What’s "two-phase" orthodontic treatment?

Two phase orthodontic treatment includes having a short period of care early when there are many primary teeth present followed by a second period of treatment in the permanent dentition. The early phase is usually limited to fixing specific problems related to the child’s stage of growth and development or aimed at intercepting developing problems that could get worse in the future. This is usually between the ages of seven and eleven years old. Most early phase treatments take about one year. Also, most patients receiving an early phase of treatment will benefit from a final phase when the adult teeth erupt.

The second phase of treatment usually starts when the adult teeth are in or are coming into the mouth. This is normally at about twelve years old. Even though there has already been some treatment, the second phase may still take two years depending on the specific problems being addressed.

Is anyone too old to get braces?

No, as long as the teeth have healthy support of the bones and gums, it is possible to have successful orthodontic treatment.

We look forward to caring for you and we are happy to answer any of your questions about orthodontic treatment. Remember, the only silly questions are the ones that aren’t asked!