ORTHODONTIC FAQs

Full Case Assessment Information

So what happens next?

• The orthodontist has examined your teeth and jaws and has decided that you will benefit from braces and that you are eligible for NHS orthodontic treatment here at Refine.

Do you want to wear braces?

• Brace treatment takes anything from 18 months to three years to complete.
• Usually you will have a series of two or three appointments a week apart to get your braces fitted. If you need to rearrange these appointments then the whole series of appointments will need to be changed.
• Once the brace is fitted we will need to see you every eight to twelve weeks to adjust them.

Are you happy to travel to Alfreton for your treatment?

• If you feel you may struggle to get to Alfreton for regular appointments you will need to speak to your dentist and they will try refer you somewhere closer to where you live.
• You will still need to see your own dentist for routine check-ups and extractions if you require them.

• Please be aware that we only have a limited number of before and after school appointments. If one is not available for when we request you to come back for a review, you may need to attend a day time appointment.
• Appointments cannot be delayed until there is an out of hour’s appointment available. Should you require a letter for your school, please don’t hesitate to ask.

What happens at my next appointment?

• If you decide you want treatment we will book an appointment for you to come and see us so that we can collect necessary records, these may include moulds of your teeth, x-rays and photographs.

• The orthodontist will use these records to plan your treatment.
• If you require extractions the orthodontist will give you a letter to take to your own dentist to have the teeth removed there. Remember it is easier for everyone if you have your teeth removed before your braces are fitted.
• We will also get a consent form signed and we will book the appointments to get your brace fitted.

Will I need to have teeth taken out?

• This depends entirely upon your teeth and how they fit together. Teeth will only be removed if it is necessary.

How long will treatment take?

• This varies enormously, depending upon what needs to be done. It can take as little as 6 months, or in some cases, a few years.
• Poor cooperation with treatment, not caring for your brace properly and/or failing to turn up to appointments will inevitably prolong treatment.

What are the benefits of treatment?

• Achieving a nice smile, with straight teeth.
• An improved bite
• For some patients: Bringing the front teeth back may reduce the likelihood of damage to them
• Aligning buried teeth may mean that they are less likely to damage the roots of the adjacent teeth, and or cause other problems (e.g. cysts and infections)
• Reducing a deep bite can prevent stripping of the gums away from the teeth
• Orthodontics may be used to localise spaces for e.g. implant placement for those patients who are missing teeth, making it easier to achieve a good occlusion

Please be aware a parent/legal guardian must be present at the first two appointments for consent purposes. 

No treatment planning will be done without consent from a parent/legal guardian.

At your appliance fit appointment, we recommend you buying a Orthodontic starter kit which we sell at the practice for £12.50.  These kits are very useful and have all the products inside to keep your teeth and brace extra clean.

BEFORE TREATMENT

How long will it take to straighten my teeth?

Active Orthodontic treatment takes approximately 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the treatment plan and patient co-operation.  This is followed by a period of retention with a passive appliance to hold teeth in their new positions.

What food should I avoid while wearing braces?

Sugar – Foods high in sugar content encourage germs to build up around the appliance leading to tooth decay.  This can result in formation of permanent unsightly marks on the teeth.

Fizzy drinks - Fizzy drinks and fruit juices are acidic and may also cause marks to develop on the teeth.

Hard or sticky foods – These can damage the appliances and bend the wires, which will stop tooth movement.

How often should I brush my teeth while wearing braces?

Brush your teeth after every meal.  If you have a removable appliance this should be removed for cleaning the teeth then replaced straight after.  Using a fluoride mouthwash during treatment will maintain healthy teeth.

Should I be aware of anything else during my treatment?

Orthodontic treatment may cause tooth root shortening.  This usually causes no long-term problems, however if it is severe treatment, it may need to be stopped early.  Very occasionally teeth may become non vital and may require root treatment.  This is most likely to occur where teeth have been previously traumatized or have very large restorations.

How can I ensure my teeth stay in position after treatment?

Retainers are used to hold teeth in their new positions and may be fixed or removable appliances.  Even following a period of retention, some changes may occur.  You will be provided with one set of retainers but you will be charges for replacement/repair if retainers are lost or broken.

How do my orthodontics appointment work?

You will need to attend regularly to have your appliance adjusted.  Your appointments will need to be in school times, i.e. morning or afternoon.  Missed appointments are disruptive to orthodontic treatment.  Good co-operation will result in your treatment being completed in the shortest time.  If you cannot attend let us know as soon as possible so that your appointment can be reallocated.

What if I break my brace?

If your appliance breaks please contact us as soon as possible to have it repaired in order to prevent unwanted tooth movement.

Do I need to visit the dentist after my braces are removed?

You should continue to see your regular dentist for check ups and dental treatment during orthodontic treatment.

What happens if I don't follow the advice given to me by the Orthodontics specialist?

Failure to comply with any aspects of treatment may result in treatment being discontinued prior to completion.

Are there extras I need to know about?

You may be asked to wear additions to your appliances such as elastics or headgear, do ensure that you follow the instructions as prescribed by the orthodontist.

REMOVABLE BRACES

What should I expect when my braces are fitted?

• Initially the brace may feel “weird” but this will settle down and you will get use to it.
• You may feel that you have a bit more saliva in your mouth again this is normal.
• Your speech may seem strange at the beginning but this will improve with practice.

When do I wear them?

1. These braces are designed to be worn 24 hours a day, day and night, eating and sleeping, unless we instruct you otherwise.

When do I take them out?

• Clean the brace with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Removable braces can also be cleaned in Retainer Brite.

Do I need to avoid anything whilst eating?

• Avoid hard, sticky or chewy foods, these can damage your brace.
• Avoid fizzy drinks, these can damage your teeth.

FIXED BRACES

What should I expect when my braces are fitted?

• Your teeth may be tender for a couple of days after your brace is first fitted. This usually wears off quickly as you get used to your brace. After each adjustment your teeth may become tender again. Painkillers should be taken for a couple of days but if the pain persists, please contact us.
• Occasionally your cheeks and lips may be sore or ulcerated due to the brace being in place and due to it feeling unusual in the mouth. Wax or silicone can be used as a cushion as a temporary measure. Dry the area and mould the wax to the bracket or wire. Contact us for an emergency appointment.
• Speech is not usually affected with fixed braces, however if you have a holding arch fitted, speech may be a little different for a couple of days.

How do I clean them?

• Brush your teeth and braces after every meal and before bed.
• Use a brush with a small/medium head and fluoride toothpaste. Brush all surfaces of the teeth especially the area between the brace and your gum.
• Use a small interspace brush or spiral brush between the wire and the tooth ensuring you brush right up the brackets.
• Use a Fluoride mouthwash daily.
• Disclosing tablets should be used regularly to ensure effective tooth brushing. We sell maintenance kits which have everything discussed above in them, these can be purchased from reception on the day your brace is fitted.

Do I need to avoid anything whilst eating?

• Avoid hard, sticky or chewy foods, these can damage your brace and bend the wires which, stops tooth movement.
• Avoid foods high in sugar content, these encourage germs to build up around the appliance leading to tooth decay.
• This can result in formation of permanent unsightly marks on the teeth.
• Avoid fizzy drinks and fruit juices, these are acidic and may cause marks to develop on the teeth.
• Stopping any habits (e.g. thumb sucking, nail biting, pencil chewing) that could damage the teeth and/or or break the brace

What should I do if my brace is digging in?

• Use wax or silicone as a temporary measure and contact us as soon as possible and arrange an emergency appointment.

Can I play contact sports with my fixed braces?

• Yes. But you should wear a mouth guard. When you are wearing braces mouth guards that are mouldable in hot water can be adapted as your teeth move. When your braces are removed a custom made mouth guard can be used. We sell mouldable orthodontic mouth guards at the practice, please ask a member of staff if you wish to purchase one.

What should I do if I break my brace?

• Check each band and bracket every day and report any breakages to us.
• Please bring all the broken parts of your brace with you as often they can be repaired.
• Contact us as soon as possible and arrange an emergency appointment.

What happens once the treatment is complete?

• Once treatment is complete then retainers must be worn.
• These will be worn for 6 weeks full-time, then every evening and night for one year, followed by 1-2 nights/week indefinitely.
• If retainers are not worn and/or are discontinued there is a high likelihood that the teeth will move and the results of treatment will be lost. There will be a charge to replace lost/broken retainers.
• Please be aware, retainers are for life! You will always need to wear them to keep your teeth perfectly positioned.

Wearing Elastics

The brace will straighten your upper and lower teeth, however, wearing elastics will correct the way you bite and make your upper and lower teeth fit together correctly. A good bite is important for healthy teeth and jaws and will also maintain the appearance of your orthodontic results once your brace work has finished.

• Elastics should be worn all the time, day and night, and only to be taken out whilst you clean your teeth.
• Elastics need to be changed once a day. The best time for this is after you have brushed your teeth. Always follow the instructions on how to place the elastics, they must always be worn the same way.
• If you fail to wear the elastics or only wear them occasionally, the brace will not work properly and this will then make treatment last a lot longer.
• If you are running low on elastics, please contact the practice and we will be more than happy to send you some more.

• If you are unsure about how to wear your elastics, please ask a member of staff, wearing your elastics wrong can prolong treatment.
• If one of your elastics snaps or comes off, please replace both elastics so the force on both sides of the mouth is equal.

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RETAINER INFORMATION

Why do I need to wear retainers?

• Retainers are designed to prevent teeth moving back after braces.
• Initially after braces your teeth may try to move back to their starting positions, later normal age changes may cause your teeth to move.
• Most retainers are removable, but if you do not wear your retainers your teeth will move.
• Keeping your teeth straight is up to you.

When do I wear them?

• For the first six weeks wear your retainers full time, day and night except eating, drinking, contact sports and swimming.
• After the first six weeks wear your retainers at night time only.
• If your retainers feel tight when you put them in, your teeth may be moving. Go back to wearing them full time to reposition your teeth.
• After a year gradually reduce wearing them to one or two nights per week.

What should I do if my retainer doesn’t feel right?

• Wear your retainer full time and contact us as soon as possible and arrange an emergency appointment.

How do I clean them?

• Clear retainers are best cleaned in Retainer brite, tooth brushes and toothpaste may scratch them.
• Do not use hot water it will distort them and they will not for properly.
• Retainers that look like removable braces can be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

What should I do if I damage/lose my retainer?

• Contact us as soon as possible and arrange an emergency appointment. Remember if you are not wearing a retainer your teeth will move.
• If you lose your retainer, break it or fail to wear it as instructed there are charges for replacements.

Discharge Information

I have worn braces and retainers what happens next?

• After braces your braces are removed we will review you and your retainers for one year then we will discharge you.
• Although we will not see you again it is important to continue wearing your retainers.
• Remember your retainers are designed to prevent teeth moving back after braces.
• Keeping your teeth straight is up to you.

How long do I need to continue wearing retainers?

• You will need to wear retainers for as long as you want to keep your teeth straight. Ultimately this is up to you.
• For the first year you should wear your retainers every night.
• Over the next year you should be able to reduce that to one or two nights a week.
• Do not throw your retainers out. If your teeth move a little after braces you may be able to use your retainers to reposition them.

What should I do if I need a new retainer?

• Contact us or your own dentist for an appointment to make a new retainer. There are charges for replacement retainers.