Why did my bracket pop off ? I was just eating yogurt. ^

Sometimes braces don't break off immediately after they are loosened. Often, that bagel, hard candy or pizza crust weakens the bonding material but not enough for it to pop off. It can break loose when you are sitting in front of the TV or when you are eating mashed potatoes or yogurt. The important thing to remember is to call us ASAP to let us know. If you wait until the day of your appointment to tell us, we may not have enough time in the schedule to fix it. If we know ahead of time, we can make arrangements. So, call us even if it is after office hours. You can always leave a message on the recorder.

How long will my teeth be sore? ^

You can expect that the teeth will be tender the first few days after your adjustment appointments. The teeth will probably bother you only when you eat. The sooner you start chewing, the faster you will adjust.

Will the inside of my lips be sore all the time? ^

We provide guidelines for remedies if the braces irritate the tissues in your mouth. Use the wax or silicone that we gave you in your homecare kit. Form a little ball with a small piece of the wax or silicone, making sure that area is as dry as possible. Then cover the area of the braces that is causing the abrasion.

When my teeth feel loose, I'm afraid they are going to fall out. Is that possible? ^

Unless it is a baby tooth, you don't need to be concerned about your teeth falling out. We want them to get loose so we can move them around. If they get too loose, we will let you know, but it is usually the result of some form of trauma to the mouth such as being hit by an elbow or injury to the mouth during a bad fall from a bicycle.

Is this new space between my teeth permanent? ^

No. Some of your straight teeth may be temporarily pulled out of alignment when we are straightening the most crooked teeth so it is possible that you could see a space between your teeth that was never there before. The teeth will move in different directions as the teeth are straightening out, Please be patient and things will start to improve. The spaces will close and your teeth will line up.

When can I get my braces off? ^

The time we told you is a rough estimate. A lot of what happens depends on you. If you continuously break braces or if you like to chew gum, or if you do not wear the elastics, plan to add some time .If you go away on vacation, plan to add time . Even if all goes smoothly it could take awhile longer because no two people have teeth that move the same way at the same rate. We want the final result to be the best it can be so we certainly don't want to rush the final result. We appreciate your full cooperation so that your orthodontic experience will be positive as well as successful.

Do I still have to see my dentist for cleanings and check-ups? ^

Yes. Regular cleanings and checks are considered an essential part of your orthodontic treatment. If you coordinate your cleanings with an orthodontic visit, we'll be happy to remove and replace your wires before and after your trip to your dentist.