Dental Appliances

It is usual for chewing, swallowing, and talking to seem awkward for the first few days. If there is any discomfort, Tylenol, Advil, etc., are fine to take, although rarely needed.

You may notice a space that opens between your front teeth as your expander is turned. This is typical while expanding.

You can eat most of your favorite foods, but you’ll want to be careful with STICKY and CHEWY food.

We recommend avoiding hard foods as they are sometimes difficult to eat.

Please brush your expander as you would your normal teeth, paying special attention to the roof of your mouth.You can use a Waterpik.

It is usual for chewing, swallowing, and talking to seem awkward for the first few days. If there is any discomfort, Tylenol, Advil, etc., are fine to take, although rarely needed.

This appliance is placed to maintain space while we wait for your adult teeth to grow in.

You can eat most of your favorite foods, but you’ll want to be careful with STICKY and CHEWY food.

We recommend avoiding hard foods as they are sometimes difficult to eat.

Please brush your appliance as you would your normal teeth, paying special attention to the inside of your lower teeth.You can use a Waterpik.

It is usual for chewing, swallowing, and talking to seem awkward for the first few days. If there is any discomfort, Tylenol, Advil, etc., are fine to take, although rarely needed.

This appliance is placed to maintain space while we wait for your adult teeth to grow in.

You can eat most of your favorite foods, but you’ll want to be careful with STICKY and CHEWY food.

We recommend avoiding hard foods as they are sometimes difficult to eat.

Please brush your appliance as you would your normal teeth, paying special attention to the roof of your mouth.You can use a Waterpik.

It is usual for chewing, swallowing, and talking to seem awkward for the first few days. If there is any discomfort, Tylenol, Advil, etc., are fine to take, although rarely needed.

This appliance is placed to maintain space while we wait for your adult teeth to grow in.

You can eat most of your favorite foods, but you’ll want to be careful with STICKY and CHEWY food.

We recommend avoiding hard foods as they are sometimes difficult to eat.

Please brush your appliance as you would your normal teeth, paying special attention to the roof of your mouth.You can use a Waterpik.

Separators are small rubber bands placed between your teeth to create space for bands or appliances.

• Avoid eating anything chewy or sticky.
• You may continue to brush regularly, but do not floss between the teeth being separated.
• Be sure to check your separators every night after you brush your teeth.
• If a separator comes out, please call the office to schedule an appointment to get your separators replaced 1-2 days before you get your appliance.
• If necessary, Tylenol or Motrin can be taken to relieve minor discomfort.

The Carriere Motion Appliance is used to correct your bite. Rubber bands, connected between the Carriere and a single button on the opposing arch, provide the force necessary to correct the bite coordination.

A clear retainer is also worn on the opposing jaw’s teeth to prevent them from shifting as the bite is aligned.You also received an Essix retainer to hold your lower teeth in place.Please wear your retainer any time you are wearing your elastics.

Overall, treatment with the Carriere Motion Appliance offers patients an aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-manage option to correct a compromised bite early in treatment.Most patients can expect to achieve this bite correction in 4–6 months.This also allows less time in braces or aligners and decreases the need for full-time rubber band wear toward the end of treatment.

TO ENSURE THE MOVEMENT OF BITE, YOU MUST WEAR ELASTICS 24/7 UNLESS EATING OR BRUSHING.

The Carriere Motion Appliance is used to correct your bite. Rubber bands, connected between the Carriere and a single button on the opposing arch, provide the force necessary to correct the bite coordination.A clear retainer is also worn on the opposing jaw’s teeth to prevent them from shifting as the bite is aligned.You also received an Essix retainer to hold your lower teeth in place.Please wear your retainer any time you are wearing your elastics.

Overall, treatment with the Carriere Motion Appliance offers patients an aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-manage option to correct a compromised bite early in treatment.Most patients can expect to achieve this bite correction in 4–6 months.This also allows less time in braces or aligners and decreases the need for full-time rubber band wear toward the end of treatment.

TO ENSURE THE MOVEMENT OF BITE, YOU MUST WEAR ELASTICS 24/7 UNLESS EATING OR BRUSHING.

A Herbst is a fixed orthodontic appliance. It is “fixed” in place and cannot be removed by the patient.This orthodontic appliance moves the patient’s lower jaw forward to meet the top and bottom teeth.

Your Herbst is ready to help fix your jaw position.At first, it may feel awkward to hold your jaw forward while eating.Your teeth will not fit together well, and you will not chew perfectly. This will improve after a few weeks.

Start eating soft foods after your Herbst appliance has been put in place.

Soft foods will be easier to chew and more comfortable during the first few weeks.

Do not bang or chew on your appliance, or it will break and come loose.

Most patients are cautious and last the entire time without breaking their Herbst.

A CS3 Spring is a fixed orthodontic appliance. It is “fixed” in place and cannot be removed by the patient.This orthodontic appliance moves the patient’s lower jaw to meet the top and bottom teeth.

Your Springs are ready to help fix your jaw position. At first, it may feel awkward to hold your jaw forward while eating.Your teeth will not fit together well, and you will not chew perfectly. This will improve after a few weeks.

Start eating soft foods after your appliance has been put in place.Soft foods will be easier to chew and more comfortable during the first few weeks.

• Do not bang or chew on your appliance, or it will break and come loose.
• Try not to open it too wide or it might break.
• Most patients are cautious and last the entire time without breaking their Springs.
• If your appliance feels loose, please give the office a call!

Elastics are removable rubber bands.Elastics move the patient’s jaw to meet the top and bottom teeth.

Your elastics are ready to help fix your jaw position. At first, it may feel awkward to hold your jaw forward.Your teeth will not fit together well, and you will not chew perfectly. This will improve after a few weeks.

Soreness is normal. The more you wear your elastics, the better it will feel.Wear your elastics all the time, except for when eating or brushing.

“TAD” stands for “temporary anchorage device,” and they work by placing biocompatible titanium alloy mini screws into specific places in the mouth to serve as a fixed point that can be used to direct and shift teeth.TADs have shown themselves to be a safe, predictable, and effective approach to orthodontic care.In many cases, TADs have corrected problems that would typically require corrective and/or extensive dental procedures.

There will be some discomfort associated with the device for three to four hours after the insertion. You may feel tightness or pressure related to TAD.We recommend taking Tylenol or Advil 30 minutes before your appointment. Additional doses of pain medication every two to four hours afterward for up to 24 hours will be beneficial.A TAD can be cleaned the same way you clean your braces by brushing your teeth at least three times a day. When your TAD is placed, we will also provide you with an antimicrobial mouthwash that you must use twice daily by dabbing with a Q-tip.

The time the TAD remains in your mouth depends on the movement we are trying to accomplish, the placement, and the overall case.

• Wear your aligners 22 hours per day.
• When not in your mouth, they are not working, affecting your treatment time.
• Relapse can occur if not worn as directed.
• You may have a little trouble speaking, but that is temporary.
• Only take your aligner out to eat, drink, and brush your teeth.

• ALWAYS brush your aligner when you brush your teeth.
• Clean your aligner before each insertion. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with water. Never use toothpaste to clean your aligner. Brushing the aligner with mild soap or mouthwash is okay.
• Avoid using hot water when cleaning your aligner. It can melt.

• NEVER leave your aligner in the heat. Do not leave the aligner in your hot car. Heat can distort the plastic and ruin the aligner.
• You do not need to remove your aligner to drink cool water.
• Keep your aligner away from pets. They love your aligner as much as they love you! (They will chew it up).
• When not in your mouth, please keep your aligner in your case. Do not wrap your aligner in a napkin. There is a good chance it will end up in the garbage.

Please bring your aligners with you to every appointment. The doctor will check them and make sure they are tracking properly.

You may have a little trouble speaking, but that is temporary. Only take your retainer out to eat, drink, and brush your teeth.

• ALWAYS brush your retainer when you brush your teeth.
• Clean your retainer before each insertion. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with water. Never use toothpaste to clean your retainer. Brushing the retainer with mild soap or mouthwash is okay.
• Avoid using hot water when cleaning your retainer. It can melt.

• Please keep your retainer in your case. Do not wrap your retainer in a napkin. There is a good chance it will end up in the garbage. Keep your retainer away from pets. They love your retainer as much as they love you! (They will chew it up).
• NEVER leave your retainer in the heat. Do not leave the retainer in your hot car. Heat can distort the plastic and ruin the retainer.
• You do not need to remove your retainers to drink cool water.

Please bring your retainer with you to every appointment.The Dr. will check them, make sure they fit properly, and make any necessary adjustments at that time.

You may have a little trouble speaking, but that is temporary. Only take your retainer out to eat, drink, and brush your teeth.

• ALWAYS brush your retainer when you brush your teeth.
• Clean your retainer before each insertion. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with water. Never use toothpaste to clean your retainer. Brushing the retainer with mild soap or mouthwash is okay.
• Avoid using hot water when cleaning your retainer. It can distort.

• Please keep your retainer in your case. Do not wrap your retainer in a napkin. There is a good chance it will end up in the garbage. Keep your retainer away from pets. They love your retainer as much as they love you! (They will chew it up).
• NEVER leave your retainer in the heat. Do not leave the retainer in your hot car. Heat can distort the plastic and ruin the retainer.
• You do not need to remove your retainers to drink cool water.

Please bring your retainer with you to every appointment.The Dr. will check them, make sure they fit properly, and make any necessary adjustments at that time.

You may have a little trouble speaking, but that is temporary. This retainer will relieve any tension or TMJ in your jaw.

• ALWAYS brush your retainer when you brush your teeth.
• Clean your retainer before each insertion. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with water. Never use toothpaste to clean your retainer. Brushing the retainer with mild soap or mouthwash is okay.
• Avoid using hot water when cleaning your retainer. It can distort.

• Please keep your retainer in your case. Do not wrap your retainer in a napkin. There is a good chance it will end up in the garbage. Keep your retainer away from pets. They love your retainer as much as they love you! (They will chew it up).
• NEVER leave your retainer in the heat. Do not leave the retainer in your hot car. Heat can distort the plastic and ruin the retainer.
• You do not need to remove your retainers to drink cool water.

Please bring your retainer with you to every appointment.The Dr. will check them, make sure they fit properly, and make any necessary adjustments at that time.

Your appliance is worn 24/7. You will wear your appliance while you are eating and drinking. Your appliance will only be out of your mouth while you are brushingyour teeth.You may have a little trouble speaking and eating, but that is temporary.

• ALWAYS brush your appliance when you brush your teeth.
• Clean your appliance before each insertion. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with water. Never use toothpaste to clean your appliance. Brushing the appliance with mild soap or mouthwash is okay.
• NEVER place your appliance in hot water. Heat can distort the plastic and ruin the appliance.

You must manage to eat with this appliance in your mouth to get your top braces on!Avoid using hot water when cleaning your appliance. It can distort. Keep your appliance away from pets. They love your appliance as much as they love you! (They will chew it up).

Please bring your appliance with you to every appointment.The Dr. will check them, make sure they fit properly, and make any necessary adjustments at that time.

Your bonded retainer is a custom designed wire that will be placed on the back of your six lower front teeth.You may have a little trouble speaking, but that is temporary.

You can eat most of your favorite foods, but you’ll want to be careful with STICKY and CHEWY food.

We recommend avoiding hard foods as they sometimes pop off your retainer.

• ALWAYS brush your retainer when you brush your teeth.
• Clean your retainer with the floss threader provided or a Waterpik.

Please remember that your retainer is bonded to your teeth; if something feels loose or comes off, please give the office a call. If this happens, do not rip it out. We may not be able to reuse a deformed wire.You will need to continue to wear your Essix retainer on top of your bonded lingual retainer to prevent shifting your beautiful smile. Remember to bring your Essix retainer to each appointment so we can check the fit.