Types of Appliances

elastics (rubber bands)

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Play an important role in your orthodontic treatment
Supply the pressure needed to move teeth into their correct position
Failure to wear your elastics as prescribed will prolong your treatment

Instructions - FULL TIME

Remove them only when you eat and brush your teeth (after every meal), and then put them back on immediately
Discard old elastics after 24 hours of wear; always put fresh, new elastics on each morning
Carry a few extra elastics with you so that if one side breaks you can replace BOTH sides with new elastics right away
If your supply is low, you can call the office to pick up some elastics at the front desk (pls indicate the type of elastics or color of the elastic bag)

NIGHT TIME

Always put fresh, new elastics on each night

REMINDERS:

If you happen to forget to wear your elastics one day, do not double up the next day – just follow your regular instructions
Elastics may cause your teeth to be somewhat sensitive at first, but this usually lasts only a few days
Not wearing your elastics as instructed will only make the soreness last longer
With elastics breaking frequently, a wire, band or bracket loosening, or if a hook breaks off, call the office immediately
If you accidentally swallow a few elastics, don’t worry – they will pass through your system naturally within a day or two.

NOTE: The elastics are made from latex material. Latex allergies are rare but do occur. Please inform us immediately if you become aware that you have a latex allergy.

Face Mask

Rests on your forehead and chin
Designed to enhance the growth of your upper jaw and to allow it to catch up with your lower jaw
It is to be attached to the hooks of your “RPE” with elastics that you will place yourself

Helpful tips:

Never try to remove the face mask until both elastics have been disconnected.
Never wear a face mask while running or playing sports.
Never allow anyone to grab or pull on your face mask.
Call us if you need more elastics. It can be picked up at the front desk. (pls indicate the type of elastics)
The jaw may be tender for the first few days, but this tenderness will disappear. If the jaw continues to be uncomfortable, please call our office.
Regular wear of your face mask achieves the best results.
If you do not wear your face mask properly or if you are not careful when you put it on or remove it, you could injure your mouth or face.

Note:

If you notice any problems with your appliance, please call our office immediately and explain that you are wearing an “RPE” and “face mask”. If you notice that your “RPE” is loose on one side only and it is during the weekend or a time when our office is closed, leave a message on our answering machine, and we will contact you as soon as possible. During this time, do not wear your “face mask” and make sure you are extra careful when you are eating and brushing. If you require immediate attention you may wish to contact your family dentist, an emergency dental clinic, or your hospital. Please bear in mind that you may be charged for these emergency appointments.

headgear

Headgear

Your headgear has been specially prepared for you. Its purpose is to achieve the best possible correction of your orthodontic problem by creating special forces that guide the development and relationship of your jaws and teeth.

Regular wear of your headgear achieves the best results. It is important to follow the instructions given to you on how and when to wear it. Forgetting to wear it will prolong your treatment and may affect the final result.

Your teeth may be tender or even slightly loose for the first few days. This tenderness will disappear. If your teeth continue to be uncomfortable, call the office. If the bands irritate your cheeks at first, just use a small ball of wax from the package we have given you. You will find that in a short while your cheeks will adjust to your bands.

Although all of our headgears are equipped with release mechanisms, if you do not wear your headgear properly or if you are not careful when you put it on and remove it, you could injure your mouth or face.

Never try to remove the headgear until the strap has been disconnected.
Never try to lift the headgear over your face.
Never wear the headgear while running or playing sports.
Never allow anyone to grab or pull on your headgear.

When you remove your headgear, carefully wash the metal bow that has been in your mouth. When you are not wearing your headgear, store it in the case you were provided with and put it in a safe place where it will not get lost or broken. If it breaks, becomes bent or distorted, does not fit properly, if the metal bow begins to rub or push on your teeth or brackets, or if a band becomes loose call the office immediately and explain that you are wearing a "headgear"

Always bring your headgear with you to your appointments so it can be checked and adjusted. Remember that the length of your treatment time will depend upon how faithfully you wear your headgear.

herbst appliance

Lip Bumper

It allows the muscles of the tongue and lips to be in better harmony
It prevents the lower lip from pushing the lower front teeth back and allows the lower front teeth to begin straightening out on their own
It also acts as a space maintainer for the lower molar teeth
The appliance consists of 'bands' or rings that have been fitted and secured on the molar teeth, and a bar called a 'lip bumper', that fits into special tubes in the bands

Important Reminders:

It must be worn at all times except when brushing the teeth, playing contact sports or swimming, and eating
The cheeks, lips, and tongue may take a couple of days to get used to the feel of the lip bumper
Use orthodontic wax to cover the bands if the cheek or tongue gets irritated because of the bands
Spend a few extra minutes brushing the teeth, especially around the bands on the back molars
Clean and rinse the lip bumper before re-inserting it

Foods to avoid:

Sticky foods such as chewing gum, gummy bears, caramels, jujubes
Hard foods such as nuts, peanut brittle, and ice cubes
It's a good idea to cut up all other foods into bite-sized pieces and chew them with your back teeth

If you notice that a "band" does become loose, or the lip bumper is pinching or does not fit properly, call our office right away and explain what the problem is so that we can arrange the appropriate appointment to repair or adjust it for you. Please tell the receptionist that you are wearing a "lip bumper" appliance.

SHAMY - REMOVABLE APPLIANCE

Designed to align the back teeth, it must be worn at all times except when brushing the teeth, playing contact sports or swimming, and eating. You may notice extra saliva in your mouth, and speech may be slightly affected for the first few days. The back teeth will not touch at the beginning due to the thickness of the plastic at the front

Important Reminders

It is very important that the molar springs fit comfortably between the teeth at all times
Be sure to inform us if any spring doesn't fit securely
Always remove the appliance before brushing your teeth
Carefully and thoroughly brush both teeth and appliances after every meal and before bedtime
Put some water in the sink or a towel on the counter, and brush the appliance over the water or the towel to cushion the appliance if it drops during cleaning
To brush the appliance, hold the plastic part and brush everywhere both top and bottom
Take care not to bend or distort the wires
Thoroughly rinse the appliance and place it back in the mouth
Do not use hot or boiling water to clean the appliance — use warm or cool water only
Without proper care, the appliance will collect debris and bacteria which can lead to irritated, swollen gums, the possible improper fit of the appliance, as well as an unpleasant odor
If a toothbrush is simply not available, remove the appliance, rinse the mouth with water, and rinse all loose food debris from the appliance before replacing it
Never wrap it in a tissue or place it in the pocket
Do not play with it or flip it with the tongue
Remove it only by the clasps at the sides of the appliance as instructed

If you lose or break your appliance, or if it does not fit properly, call the office immediately and let us know that you are wearing a "SHAMY appliance". If a problem occurs over a weekend, or a time when our office is closed, continue to wear your appliance if you are able to, leave a message on our answering machine and we will contact you as soon as possible. If you require immediate attention you may wish to contact your family dentist, an emergency dental clinic or your hospital. Please bear in mind that you may be charged for these emergency appointments.

Twin Block Appliance

A two-part appliance that is highly specialized, custom-made device designed to improve jaw growth for function, and facial balance for appearance. It must be worn at all times except when eating, brushing your teeth, swimming, or playing contact sports

When the appliance is not in your mouth, it must be kept only in the case provided
Never wrap them in a tissue or put the appliances in your pocket or knapsack, as they could easily get lost or broken
At first your mouth will feel quite full, and you will have more saliva than usual
Speech will be slightly affected for the first few days

When you are wearing your appliances remember:

Always keep your lower jaw forward so that the plastic ramps (pads) in the lower appliance slide in front of the plastic ramps (pads) on the upper appliance.
When you are not talking, bite in the forward position, keep your lips together and concentrate on breathing through your nose. You will find that after a few days of really working at it, this will become automatic.
HINT: Reading aloud is a good way to get used to speaking while wearing your Twin Block. Try to read slowly and clearly.

Important Reminders:

Without proper care, your appliances will begin to collect debris and bacteria which can lead to irritated, swollen gums, a possible improper fit of the appliances, as well as an unpleasant odor
Always remove your appliances before you brush your teeth
Thoroughly brush all parts of your appliances as well as your teeth, gums, and the roof of your mouth after every meal and before bed
Put some water in the sink or a towel on the counter, and brush the appliances over the water or the towel. This will cushion the appliance if it drops during cleaning.
Do not use hot water to clean your appliances — use warm or cool water only
Should you need to disinfect the appliances, soak them with a retainer or denture-cleaning tablets

If you lose or break one or both of your appliances or if they are uncomfortable, please call our office immediately and let us know that you are wearing a "Twin Block" appliance. If you lose or break one part of your "Twin Block", do not wear the other part of the appliance. If a problem occurs over a weekend, or a time when our office is closed, continue to wear your appliance if you are able. Leave a message on our answering machine and we will contact you as soon as possible. If you require immediate attention you may wish to contact your family dentist, an emergency dental clinic or your hospital. Please bear in mind that you may be charged for these emergency appointments.

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Separators or Spacers

Successful orthodontics depends upon cooperation and teamwork. As a patient, your participation will help to ensure more rapid and pleasing results. We cannot overemphasize this need for cooperation in several areas: proper wearing of and caring for your appliances, whether they are attached to your teeth or removable, maintaining good oral hygiene, and keeping your scheduled appointments. Parental involvement, if applicable, is always encouraged and sometimes necessary to monitor and assist in accomplishing these tasks. For our part at Braceland, we will do everything possible to help you achieve your orthodontic goals.

Separators are small elastic separating rings that are gently placed between your teeth which will create spaces to fit orthodontic bands onto your molar teeth. These slowly, over a few days, move these teeth slightly apart. This can cause temporary mild soreness, but usually, this goes away within a day or two. Occasionally, elastic rings cannot be placed properly, and it may be necessary to use metal springs.

Avoid:

Sticky foods such as chewing gum and sticky candy
Using toothpicks or dental floss in the areas where your separators are placed

If you lose a separator, or if you see or feel that it is being pushed into your gums, call the office immediately. Let us know exactly what the problem is so that we can assess when and how to help you.

Separators are meant to be in your mouth for a short term only. Be sure to keep your next appointment as scheduled. The separators will be removed and your new braces will be inserted.