3 Fixed Appliances Word - 3_Fixed Appliances.docx Created Date 20171204060236Z

PatientInformationLeafletNo:3

FIXEDAPPLIANCES

Afixedbracecanbeusedtostraightencrookedteethlikethese:

Nowthatyouhaveafixedbraceyoumayhavesomequestionsyouwouldlikeanswered.

Will it be painful? It is likely to be uncomfortable for about 3 - 5 days each time the brace is adjusted. Ifnecessary, painkillers such as the ones youwould normally take for a headachemay help (please read theinstructiononthepacket).Ifthebracerubsyourlipsorcheeks,youwillbegivensomewaxtohelpwiththis.CanIremovethebrace?Thebraceyouarenowwearingisfixedtotheteethforthewholeofyourtreatment.Youshouldnottrytoremoveit,asyoumaydamageyourteethandthetreatmentwillnotwork.CanIeatnormally?Yesyoushouldbeabletoeatnormally,however,fororthodontictreatmenttoworkwellandintheshortestpossibletimeit is importantyoutakecareofyourteethandbrace. Inordertopreventdamagetoboth,youshouldavoid:

• Eatingtoffees,boiledsweets,chewinggum,chocolatebars,etc.• Fizzydrinks(includingdietdrinksandwater)andexcessiveamountoffruitjuice.• Takecarewheneatinghardfoodswhichmightdamagethebracesuchascrunchyapples,crustybread

–foodsuchastheseshouldbecutupfirst.

What about tooth brushing? It is important you brush your teethwell, three times per day using fluoridetoothpaste.Ifpossiblecarryabrushwithyouforuseafterlunch.Payparticularattentiontobrushwherethegumsmeet the teeth.Brushingwill takea little longerwhenyouhavea fixedbrace.Adaily fluoridemouthrinse should also be used daily preferably last thing at night after brushing, to further protect the teeth.Failuretokeepyourteethandbracecleanwillleadtopermanentmarkingontheteeth,asshowninpicturebelow.

How long will treatment take? It usually takes 12 - 24 months for orthodontic treatment but will varydependingonhowsevereyourcaseis.Failedandcancelledappointmentsorrepeatedbreakagesofthebracewilladdtimetotheoveralltreatmenttime.

| Email: mail@belurorthodontics.co.uk | Website: http://belurorthodontics.co.uk

WillIneedtowearanythinginadditiontothefixedbrace?Itmaybenecessaryforyouatsomestageduringyour treatment to wear headgear and/or elastics. Headgear is usually worn in the evenings and at night.Elasticsareworninsidethemouthallthetime,includingmealtimes.Yourorthodontistwilldiscusstheneedforwearingtheseduringyourtreatment.

WillIneedtowearanotherbraceoncemytreatmenthasfinished?Oncetheactivephase(fixedbraces)hasbeenfinished,itwillbenecessarytoweararetainingbrace.Thismayberemovableoritmaybefixedbehindyourfrontteeth.Thelengthoftimethishastobeworncanvary.

HowoftenwillIneedanappointment?Youwillneedregularappointmentsduringtreatmentforthebracetobe adjusted. Appointments are normally every 4 - 12 weeks depending on the treatment required. Yourorthodontistwilladvisewhenyournextappointmentisrequired.

DoIstillneedtoseemyregulardentist/hygienist?Yes,itisveryimportanttohaveregularcheck-upswithyourregulardentistthroughoutyourorthodontictreatmentsothatyourteethcanbecheckedfordecayandyourhygienistforregularscale&polishtomaintaingoodoralhealth.

CanIstillplaycontactsportswhilewearingfixedbraces?Yesbutitisrecommendedyouwearagumshieldspeciallydesignedforpatientswith fixedorthodonticbraces.Theseareavailable fromourreception.Pleaseaskyourorthodontistwhichsizewouldbesuitable.

What if I play amusical instrument?If you play a wind instrument, then a fixed bracemaymake itmoredifficult.Youwillneedtodiscussthiswithyourmusicteacherandorthodontist.Pleaseaskforourseparateadvicesheetformoreguidance.

WhatdoIdoifmybracebreaks?Ringupforadviceassoonasreasonablypossible.Triagewillbeofferedandasuitableappointmentwillbeoffered.

Daytimetelephonenumbertocallforadvice:01189775121.

RemovableRetainers

FixedRetainer