At Smile Elements Orthodontics we are committed to excellence in Orthodontics, to enhance the quality of life for those who choose to come to our office for their orthodontic care.
- What to Expect?:
- What To Expect?
- Orthodontic Treatment
- Frequently Asked Questions
What To Expect?
Active orthodontic treatment proceeds in stages and requires consistent monitoring by our doctors. Appointments vary in length depending upon the stage of your treatment and the amount of adjustments your appliance requires. It is inevitable that some of your office visits will conflict with either school or work; therefore your cooperation and flexibility will be appreciated. Orthodontic appointments generally consist of the following:
- An overall assessment of your oral health and the condition of your braces.
- Performing necessary adjustments or wire changes (15 – 45 minutes).
- Addressing questions of concerns and discuss treatment progress.
- Planning and scheduling your next visit.
Top 10 Questions
- Do Braces Hurt?
- Orthodontic treatment uses appliances (braces) to straighten teeth with gentle pressure. When braces are placed, or when adjustments to your braces are made, your teeth and gums may feel tender initially. The amount of discomfort varies from patient to patient, but usually does not last for more than three days. Because your braces project slightly from your teeth, your lips and cheeks will rub on them and may become sore. Our staff will provide you with soft wax that can alleviate the scratching and allow these sore spots to heal. This scratching sensation will subside after you have adjusted to your braces (within 3 – 4 days), and it is unlikely that these sores will return throughout the remainder of your orthodontic treatment.
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- Dislodged or Broken Braces
- The risk of dislodging or breaking your braces is increased when sticky/crunchy foods are eaten. Our staff will inform you of foods that can cause such risks and provide suggestions on how to prepare meals. Continuous breakage and repair to your braces will actually slow down your orthodontic treatment and increase the length of time you will be in braces.
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- Brushing
- When your braces are placed, our staff will review with you how to brush your teeth and take care of your new appliances. You will discover that braces provide many hiding places for food and bacteria, therefore extra care will be required in order to keep your teeth clean. You will be issued an orthodontic oral hygiene kit that will include:
- Sulcus brush
- Inter-proximal brush
- Soft bristled toothbrush
- Disclosing tablets
- Floss threaders and floss
- Orthodontic wax
- Your toothbrush will require replacement more often as the bristles tend to wear down faster from the components of your braces. Flossing is possible and very important for the health of your gums during orthodontic treatment. It may seem a little tricky at first, but after some practice, you will be able to floss your teeth around your braces quickly and efficiently. We also strongly recommend that you maintain your dental checkups and cleaning appointments with your family dentist.
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- Mouth Guards
- Many of our patients are actively involved in contact sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer or hockey. The risk of appliance breakage and oral injury can be reduced by wearing a mouth guard. Some store models of mouth guards are made specifically for orthodontic patient’s; however, it is best to check with our dental assistants at the time your braces are placed for their advice on the type of mouth guard that will best suit your needs. Please inform us if you engage in any form of contact sports and we will be happy to provide you with a suitable mouth guard.
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- Elastics
- Your appliances use forces (pressure) to align your teeth. These forces often require supplementation by additional components such as orthodontic elastics. At some point of your treatment, you will be called upon to use elastics that will attach to specific parts of your braces. When elastic wear is required, we will instruct you with regard to their placement and duration necessary for specific tooth movement.
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- Root Movement
- As a generality, when you look at your teeth, you see only 1/3 of their length. The other 2/3’s of the teeth are the roots, which are embedded within the bone of your upper and lower jaws. Tooth roots also require alignment in order to improve long term stability of your orthodontic treatment. Root movements are one of the last stages of your braces.
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- Relapse (IMPORTANT!)
- Relapse refers to the movement of the teeth back toward their original positions after your braces have been removed. Ideally, your teeth should remain stable after the retention period; however, there are many factors beyond our control why your teeth will move. Periodontal (gum) disease, mouth breathing, and harmful tongue or oral habits are a few of the reasons. Improper wear of the retainer can also cause relapse.
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- Retainers (IMPORTANT!)
- When your braces are removed, you will enter the “Retention” stage of your treatment. This is the “holding stage”of your treatment and is more important than the “active” or braces stage of your treatment. Retainers are designed to retain or hold your teeth in their corrected position. Your Upper Retainer is a removable appliance that should be worn full time for 6 months after your braces are removed. As your teeth gradually settle into their new position, we will decrease you to night-time retainer wear. A commitment to wearing your retainer faithfully from this point forward is up to you. With respect to upper retainer usage; we recommend indefinite night-time retainer wear. Your lower retainer will be a small wire that is bonded to the inside surface of your lower front teeth. We recommend that your lower retainer remain in place indefinitely; since these teeth are susceptible to movement long term.
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- What Will Be Expected Of You?
- Your cooperation is essential in all aspects of your orthodontic treatment. Excellent orthodontic treatment results can only be obtained with cooperative and informed patients. Successful treatment is a team effort, therefore in order to obtain the best results please adhere to the following:
- Keep regularly scheduled appointments.
- Practice good oral hygiene.
- Take care of your appliances.
- Wear elastics and retainers as instructed.
- Call our office should you experience loose or broken appliances.
- Eat a well balanced diet.
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- Surviving The First Few Days
- Learning to adapt to your braces is tricky, but not impossible, so here are some helpful hints to prepare you for the first few days of wearing braces:
- Modify your diet accordingly. Select soft food items such as soups, pasta, milkshakes, bananas, yogurt nd mashed potatoes.
- Use Advil or ibuprofen to reduce any discomfort created by your braces.
- Use soft wax to protect the inside of your lips and cheeks from the abrasive sensation of your appliances.
- Maintain meticulous oral hygiene to reduce the likelihood of gum infections or tooth decay.
- Use Chapstick or lip balm to moisten your lips during treatment. You may find yourself mouth breathing more frequently in order to minimize scratching of your lips. Such mouth breathing will cause your lips to become dry and chapped.
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Top 10 Questions
- Do Braces Hurt?
- Dislodged or Broken Braces
- Brushing
- Mouth Guards
- Elastics
- Root Movement
- Relapse (IMPORTANT!)
- Retainers (IMPORTANT!)
- What Will Be Expected Of You?
- Surviving The First Few Days
call us today:
403.730.6400
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
#140 – 12024 Symons Valley Rd, NW
Calgary, AB T3P 0A3
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Calgary, Alberta, Canada. All Rights Reserved.
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