Successive Visits
Once all orthodontic hardware is installed, periodic visits are an important part of 
orthodontic treatment. Generally, we like to see our patients every 6-10 weeks to check progress and make adjustments to the braces. During this time, it will be necessary to keep appointments, follow instructions, as well as practice good oral hygiene and proper nutrition. Also continue to visit your family dentist for regular checkups. Once braces are removed, retainers are utilized to hold the teeth in their new positions until the bone, gums, and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions.
Length of Treatment
Most treatments times in our office will last between 12-24 months. Treatment time will vary based on many factors including age, patient cooperation, and severity of the problem.
Oral Hygiene
You will notice that it requires more time to keep your teeth clean with braces. Food tends to get stuck in the brackets and between your teeth, and can only be removed by brushing and flossing. Floss every day. In order to get the floss under your wires, use floss threaders. If plaque remains on the teeth for any length of time, it will leave a permanent white scar on the surface. Brushing after meals should become part of your daily schedule. Make sure to use the special fluoride rinse prescribed by Dr. Katzen every evening before bedtime. It will not only prevent cavities, but also help prevent permanent enamel stains from forming around the brackets of your braces.
Elastics
Elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed once a day. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:
- You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces between appointments. Make sure to wear them as instructed. Remove them only when brushing your teeth, gums and braces after meals. Then put your elastics back on immediately.
- Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics. If you forget to insert your elastics one day, do not double up the next day - just follow your regular instructions.
- Elastics become worn out. When they lose their elasticity, they do not provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. It is very important to change them as directed, even when they are not broken.
- If your elastics break frequently, a wire or band loosens, or a hook breaks off, call our office immediately. Do not wait until your next appointment. These problems need to be corrected as soon as possible.
The Patient’s Responsibility
For best results, please follow these instructions and keep your appointments.
- See your dentist every 6 months.
- Brush your teeth after every meal.
- AVOID eating sweets between meals unless the teeth can be cleaned immediately thereafter.
- AVOID chewing ice, hard or sticky candy, gum, and popcorn, playing with, or dislodging appliances.
- AVOID rough play where you could receive a blow to the face or could catch the appliances upon your clothing and dislodging or breaking them.
- Please notify the office IMMEDIATELY if the appliances are loose, lost or broken.