Information for Patients
At the initial consultation, we will provide a comprehensive orthodontic examination and appropriate treatment options.
Let us know your concerns so we can focus on what bothers you. We will let you know what our concerns are and between us we will get it right.
Our practice has a reputation for providing timely, appropriate and affordable treatment. If there is minimal benefit in commencing treatment at the time of the consultation we will explain why and place you on recall.
Th..
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True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur, we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call our office when you experience severe pain, break part of your appliances, or have a problem with an appliance that you can't take care of yourself. Although some discomfort is to be expected immediately after an adjustment, you should not have to suffer!..
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Successful orthodontic treatment is achieved by the patient and the orthodontist in partnership. If the patient cares for the appliances and wears all of the appliances as prescribed, then invariably treatment proceeds to a successful and pleasing conclusion within the anticipated treatment time-frame. The most common reasons for longer than expected treatment times are failure to wear appliances as advised. If you run out of elastics, please phone during working hours and we shall post you anot..
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Although some patients are able to eat or drink almost anything while in braces and have no ill effects, there are certain dietary habits that are known to cause breakage of orthodontic appliances as well as increasing the risk of dental disease. Our aim is to achieve the treatment goals with as few disturbances due to appliance breakage as possible and to minimize the side effects of poor diet choices. Remember, teeth move their best in a healthy environment and in individuals with excellent ov..
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General medical problems can affect orthodontic treatment. You should keep your orthodontist informed of any changes to your medical health or any medication you may take for a health problem...
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For most orthodontic patients the only concerns about teeth that are blocked from erupting or are impacted are the third molars or the wisdom teeth. Usually wisdom teeth are impacted because of insufficient space and this is contributed to by our conservative approach to the extraction of other teeth. Generally assessment of third molars is delayed until growth of the face is slowing at the age of 16 or 17 years. Impacted third molars that remain in place can be associated with infection and pai..
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Some patients suffer problems in the jaw joints, including joint pain, clicking, headaches, or ear problems. These problems may occur with or without orthodontic treatment. Any of the above symptoms should be reported to the orthodontist. Stress is a major contributing factor in joint disorders...
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It is strongly recommended that you obtain a special mouthguard if you play any form of sport that may result in injury to your teeth. Ask your orthodontist to provide the mouthguard as the braces are fitted...
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Your oral hygiene will be monitored at each visit. If it is unsatisfactory for two consecutive appointments, you may be referred back to your dentist for a clean and fluoride.
If the oral hygiene continues to be unsatisfactory, we will need to consider removing the archwires and suspending treatment until it is safe to recommence orthodontic treatment. This will inevitably prolong your time in braces. Continued poor oral hygiene may result in early termination of treatment.
Brushing T..
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Careful and regular toothbrushing with fluoridised toothpaste during treatment is essential. Tooth decay, gum disease and unsightly permanent markings (decalcification) on teeth can occur if patients eat foods containing sugars or acids too frequently or do not brush their teeth adequately. These same problems can occur without orthodontic treatment but the risk is greater when wearing braces. It is very important to continue with regular checkups with your general dentist throughout orthodontic..
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You will need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so that you are able to accurately identify which part is broken, out of place, or causing unusual discomfort. Use the diagrams below to become familiar with the parts of your braces.
Other components you should be aware of:
Coil Spring - a spring that is placed between orthodontic brackets.
Steel Tie- a small metal tie that goes around the bracket instead of a colour tie.
Power Chain- a series of “colo..
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Teeth have a tendency to change their positions after treatment. The faithful wearing of retainers should reduce this tendency. Teeth can, however, move at any time whether or not they have been orthodontically treated.
The most vulnerable teeth are those at the front. Throughout life the bite can change from causes such as eruption of wisdom teeth, growth and maturational changes, mouth breathing and other oral habits...
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If you have not had a complete dental examination and cleaning within three months before your braces come off, please see your regular dentist immediately.
Any time your retainers are not in your mouth, they should be stored in the protective case we have given you.
Here are some general rules to follow:
Never put your retainers in your pocket without the case; this is the number one way in which retainers are broken.
To avoid losing them, never wrap your retainers in a napki..
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Some patients have a susceptibility to shortening of the roots during orthodontic treatment. It is nearly impossible to predict susceptibility. Usually this shortening does not have significant consequences, but on rare occasions it may become a threat to the teeth involved...
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Where a tooth has been injured by a previous accident or contains a large filling, damage to the nerve of the tooth may result. In rare instances, this may lead to loss of tooth vitality and discolouration of the tooth requiring root canal treatment or other dental treatment to restore the colour of the tooth...
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You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems by yourself. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan.
Irritating wires
Poking metal wires can usually be tucked back away against the tooth or under the archwire, a..
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