Once your braces are removed, retainers are required to hold your teeth in their new positions. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected.
Retainers are usually worn throughout the evenings and night-time and should be continued following any orthodontic treatment. If you want to guarantee your teeth will stay exactly in their new position for the rest of your life, then you will need to wear retainers.
After orthodontic treatment with us, you will receive one set of removable clear plastic retainers, included with your treatment*.
Hidden bonded retainers can also be used. This is where a thin metal wire is fitted to the inside of your teeth, so it’s not visible but holds them securely. The advantages of the fixed retainer are, if you do not remember to wear your removable retainers, you have something still holding your teeth in the correct position or if something happens to your removable retainers, you have peace of mind that your teeth will not relapse, if there is a delay in you replacing your clear retainer. An additional fee applies to the fixed retainer. Please contact us for further details.
*We will see you three months after your brace is removed to assess your retention and retainers and then a year after the brace has been removed.
After braces are placed in the mouth it is normal for the teeth to be sore for about 2 or 3 days. Whatever painkillers you would normally take for a headache will help relieve this discomfort.
Some irritation to the cheeks and tongue is also normal, but if you feel anything sharp is poking you or any sores are developing, please call our practice on 01329 284 419.
Orthodontic treatmentsCall 01329 284419 to book your specialist orthodontic consultation
Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:
Push the wire away from the area using the eraser end of a pencil or a pair of eyebrow tweezers. Do not push the wire with your finger. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax, a cotton ball, or a piece of sugarless gum. Call 01329 284 419 as soon as possible to book an emergency appointment to see David Gale.
If the wire has come out of the tube or pipe on your back molar tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of tweezers. If the wire is not sticking, you can place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is sticking out, and wax does not help, call 01329 284 419 to ask for professional assistance.
This is not usually an emergency. No action is required but do try to keep the separators in place as they are necessary. Avoid sticky food which could dislodge the separators.
It usually remains connected to the main wire by a little rubber-coloured ring. Call 01329 284 419 immediately and ask to have the bracket refitted. A loose bracket can allow the treatment to go backward within a few days. It is your responsibility to check your brackets with a finger each day to ensure that they are properly stuck to each tooth. Eyebrow tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation.
Save the piece and immediately call 01329 284 419 to schedule a repair visit.
Remain calm. This will usually go into the stomach and pass out of the body in a bowel movement. However, in the unlikely event that difficulty breathing is experienced, you should seek immediate medical attention. X-rays will be taken to determine the location of the swallowed piece.
Remove the brace from your mouth and bring all the pieces to our practice for professional repair.
Take painkillers but do not exceed the recommended dosage. Children under 16 years of age should not take aspirin. Rinsing your mouth with a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt can also be soothing. If your teeth get sore between visits, give us a call because it is unusual for the teeth to get sore several weeks after your last dental visit.
Call us so we can mail you some more or drop by the practice and pick some up.
Use dental floss, interspace brush or tepe brush to dislodge the food.
Apply finger pressure to the bleeding site for several minutes. If the bleeding won’t clot, call your orthodontist.
Let us help you with our specialised orthodontic care.
Our friendly and welcoming team are waiting to hear from you!
