Below is a resource to help our patients who are in active orthodontic treatment or retention during our mandated closure due to the coronavirus. Remember to check our website and social media pages for updates.
We specialize in Orthodontics. Braces are used to assist in aligning and straightening teeth in order to not only improve appearance, but improve a person’s bite. Having braces isn’t just about improving your smile; it’s also about improving your overall dental health. Orthodontics may be used to correct malocclusion, overbite, underbites, cross bites, deep bites, crooked teeth and other flaws of the teeth and jaws. Braces may be used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to help with making corrections to a person’s bite.
Dental technology has improved over the years to include new options to help correct the above issues, and there are a number of techniques and products available that were not available just a few short years ago. The patient experience has improved and today’s options are less conspicuous than the full braces that were common in the past.
Traditional metal braces are still the most popular types of braces as they produce high quality results. Clear Ceramic braces are popular with adults and teenagers who want the results of braces without the look of metal. Your visit will begin with a consultation with the doctor to go over the best alternatives for your orthodontic care. The doctor will address any questions you may have regarding your treatment and will provide a plan for orthodontic therapy.
Clear Aligners (Invisalign & Suresmile)
- Continue to wear and change your aligners as prescribed.
- If you have run out of aligners, do NOT stop wearing them. Switch to nighttime wear (10 hours a day) to hold like a retainer.
- If you lose or break the last aligner, call us ASAP so we can order a replacement.
- Continue using the elastics as prescribed. If you run out let us know so that we can mail you more.
- Brush your teeth and clean your aligners.
Braces
- Be careful with eating (no sticky or hard foods) so as not to break any brackets off during this time.
- If you have a poking wire, trim it using a nail clipper or apply wax for temporary relief.
- If you have a bracket that breaks – it is OK! We will fix it at your next appointment. Put wax on it to prevent the bracket from sliding around.
- Brush your teeth and use floss threaders to keep your gums healthy.
Retainers (Hawley, Essix, or Bonded)
- Continue to wear your retainers as prescribed. Full time for the first 3 months. Second 3 months 12 hours. Bedtime for lifetime after that.
- If you lose or break your retainer let us know ASAP.
- If you have a bonded retainer that has come off, save it. You can place some wax around any irritating areas.
- Make sure to brush your teeth and keep the retainers clean.
Expanders
- Finish doing the last prescribed turns and STOP. Do not do any additional turns at this time.
- We will be contacting you shortly to check-in and have you send us photos of your bite that we can review remotely for the time being.
- Make sure to brush your teeth and keep the appliance clean.
Twin Blocks
- Continue to wear your appliance full-time as much as possible.
- If you were doing turns on the top piece, STOP currently.
- We will be contacting you shortly to check-in & have you send us photos of your bite that we can review remotely.
- If you lose or break the appliance let us know ASAP.
- Make sure to brush your teeth and keep the appliance clean.
Carriere Smile Bars
- Continue to use elastics as prescribed. If you run out let us know so that we can mail you more.
- Keep the lower clear retainer in while wearing your elastics.
- We will be contacting you shortly to check-in and have you send us photos of your bite that we can review remotely for the time being.
- Make sure you continue to brush your teeth and clean your retainer.
At this time, we remain available for emergency visits and virtual consultations. For more information, please call us at 555-555-5555 or click the button below.