FAST ORTHODONTICS - GENERAL ADVICE FOR PATIENTS1

Fast OrthodonticsGeneral Advice

STRAIGHT TEETH – AFFORDABLE & INNOVATIVEDo I need to see my regular general dentist?It is important for you to maintain regular dental check-ups during the course of your orthodontic treatment so that your teeth can be checked for decay and gum problems.

Do I have to wear a mouthguard when I play contact sports?Yes. Since it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard, consider having a mouthguard that can be adapted to your teeth, as the position changes during the treatment. Sports stores sell these types of mouthguards. Ask your Fast Orthodontics dentist about this.

How will playing musical instruments be affected?Playing wind or brass instruments may be made more difficult with fixed braces. Talk to your music teacher about this, as well as your Fast Orthodontics dentist.

How are broken braces that occur during treatment best managed?Contact your Fast Orthodontics dentist for an appointment as soon as is reasonably possible. Please be aware that repeated breakages will slow down the treatment and increase the total treatment time. As per your orthodontic treatment agreement, you may have to pay for replacement braces and, if further breakages keep occurring, treatment may have to stop.

What will happen when treatment ends?Generally, teeth that have been moved might move back towards their original positions. To prevent this, you will be fitted with, or given retainers to wear. Your Fast Orthodontics dentist will advise you on how long you will need to wear them.

Can I rely on orthodontic treatment to be successful?Your commitment to treatment will determine how successful your treatment will be. Good results are generally experienced by patients that wear their retainers as advised.

As we age, the position of our teeth can also continue to change; this is a normal consequence of life and of getting older.

Before you decide to go ahead with orthodontic treatment, it is important that you fully understand what is involved in having orthodontics. If you are thinking of having orthodontic treatment, you may have some questions you would like answered first.

What is orthodontic treatment?Orthodontic treatment is dental treatment designed to move teeth into a different position, usually for cosmetic reasons. It usually involves wearing braces or other removable and fixed appliances. In about 20% of orthodontic cases it may involve the extraction of teeth - and very occasionally - jaw surgery. If this is required, you may be

referred to an Orthodontist. Orthodontists are specialist dentists that provide complicated orthodontic treatment which involves surgery.

What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment for me?The benefits of orthodontic treatment are likely to include the following:

• Straightening of your teeth. This will correct dental crowding (crooked teeth).

• Bite correction. This is done so that your front and back teeth align and meet together evenly when biting.

• Lowers the risk of traumatic injury to prominent teeth.

• Improvement in the appearance of your smile, which can improve your self-confidence and make smile more often.

Any other questions you may have should be written down and brought to your next orthodontic visit, to discuss with your Fast Orthodontics dentist.

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The pictures below show the teeth of a patient treated with the Fastbraces®technology.

8 Months before TreatmentUpper and lower crowding of front teeth, treated with Fastbraces technology

8 Months after Treatment

Are there different types of braces?Removable appliances are not braces, but they can be used to realign teeth in some cases; see the example below:

Braces consist of small metal or ceramic brackets that are glued to the teeth; it should be noted that they cannot be removed for teeth cleaning like removable appliances. An example of a fixed brace is shown below:

What is the right time to fit braces?The stage of growth of your face and jaws and the presence of the correct number of adult teeth will determine when braces will be fitted. It is important for you to be practicing good oral hygiene and to be motivated to have the braces treatment.

How long will treatment take?Treatment with Fast Orthodontics can take between 3 - 24 months to complete, depending on your orthodontic problem. Very difficult problems may take longer.

If teeth need to be removed to make room to align other teeth, who will remove them?Your regular dentist will do it, or refer you to an oral surgeon to have it done.

Do braces cause pain?The fitting of braces is not painful. Some patients do experience some level of pain or discomfort for a few days immediately after the braces are fitted. University studies have shown that there is less pain when treated with the new Fastbraces technology, as compared to traditional braces.

How many appointments are needed during treatment?After braces are fitted, your Fast Orthodontics dentist will usually want to see you every 4 weeks until the teeth are straight. These appointments are necessary to ensure that the treatment

is on track and that your tooth cleaning is adequate.

Do I have to modify my diet while wearing braces?Changes to your diet may be necessary so as to prevent damage to both your teeth and the braces. The following is a general guide to foods that you will need to avoid:

• Chewy, sticky or hard foods should be avoided, such as hard sweets, mints and chewing gum.

• Fizzy drinks and large amounts of fruit juice should be limited.

• In-between meal snacking and eating at bedtime must definitely be avoided.

• Foods such as crusty bread, apples and carrots can damage your braces; you will need to avoid eating them, or cut them up into smaller pieces first.

Click on the picture below to watch a video for more information.

If the above link is not working, type the following address into your web browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcLNgm2cqRo

Do braces damage teeth?Damage to your teeth will result if you do not clean your teeth well. A general guide for teeth cleaning involves cleaning your teeth for at least 3 minutes

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at a time - once in the morning, and once before bedtime. The use of a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse is also recommended.

WARNING!Permanent damage can occur to your teeth if you consume sugary snacks/drinks frequently during the day. Improper cleaning of your teeth and braces may also lead to permanent damage, as shown in the picture below.

Improving the appearance of your teeth and smile will be wasted if permanent damage to your teeth occurs. There are other complications which can occur; these are rare so you might want to ask your Fast Orthodontics dentist to explain.

The following links provide some good video instructions for tooth and gum care during orthodontic treatment. Please take the time to watch them and practice the tips given.

Tooth Brushing With BracesIf the above link does not work, copy and paste the following link into your browser: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV0Bny6pdEM&noredirect=1

Oral Irrigation With BracesIf the above link does not work copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjNB20D-wIk

Use of Proxibrush With BracesIf the above link does not work, copy and paste the following link into your browser: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g12O88VvKo

Flossing with BracesIf the above link does not work, copy and paste the following link into your browser: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENfjNRoazMU

Foods to Avoid with BracesIf the above link does not work, copy and paste the following link into your browser: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcLNgm2cqRo

Fast OrthodonticsGeneral Advice for Patients

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