If the brace is still attached to the wire, just leave it there, and call the office during regular office hours to schedule an appointment to have it put back on.
If the brace falls off the tooth completely, save the brace and call the office during regular office hours to schedule an appointment to have it put back on. Remember to bring the brace with you when you come in for your appointment!
If you have an appliance that comes loose and it is irritating you so much that you feel that you need to talk to someone from the office, we do have an answering service that can put you in contact with one of the clinicians who may be able to help you alleviate the discomfort until office hours.
Do you have red, puffy gums? Do they bleed when you brush? You can help!!
Red, swollen gums can be a sign of gingivitis. Gingivitis can be caused by the build-up of food debris, plaque and bacteria. The gums swell from this irritation and this is why they bleed when bushing. The brushing irritates the gums, leading to bleeding, which also leads to the tendency not to brush as well!!
What can you do about it? There are simple measures to help gingivitis.
- Keep your teeth and braces clean! Any one of our friendly clinical staff would be glad to help you learn how to do this! Tip- look in the mirror after you brush. Do you see any leftover food and plaque? Plaque is white yucky stuff that cakes around the braces and gum line. If you do see any, try it again! Keep going until you don’t see any more “stuff” on your teeth!
- Flossing helps eliminate the plaque build-up around the gum line. Once again, any of our clinical staff will be glad to help you floss properly!
- It is very important to continue having your teeth cleaned at your general dentist every six months, as we do not clean teeth or check for decay. Regular, professional cleanings will help prevent gingivitis!
Brushing tip when you have braces – hold the brush at an angle, above and below the brace when brushing. This enables the bristles to get under the bracket or band.
Clean teeth are an important part of a beautiful, healthy smile! Show yours!!
 Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common type. They are made of high grade stainless steel. Today's metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more attractive.
In-Ovation Brackets
The In-Ovation bracket utilizes (sliding door) technology known as "
continually active self ligation". This allows treatment without tightening and
allows the wire to slide back and forth within the bracket. No elastic or steel
ties are used with In-Ovation brackets. This technology creates less friction an
d results in greater comfort for the patient. In addition, In-Ovation braces oft
en reduce both treatment time and the number of adjustments that are usually per
formed.
 Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of translucent (clear) material. They are most popular with adult patients, due to their cosmetic appeal. The only drawback to ceramic brackets are that they are more fragile and the elastic ties can discolor between orthodontic visits.
Invisalign
The Invisalign System is a series of clear overlay templates—called aligners—that have been generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. This system is available to adult patients with certain orthodontic bite problems. Ask us if you are a candidate for the Invisalign system.
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