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Before & After Results
Your First Visit
Cooperation
Diagram of Your Braces (parts explained)
Orthodontic Appliances
Living With Braces
Brushing & Flossing With Braces
Foods to Avoid
Before
& After Results
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Your
First Visit
Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry, which
deals with the re-alignment of jaws and teeth to achieve an optimum
bite (occlusion), smile and facial balance. Dentists who specialize
in orthodontics must have a two to three year residency at an accredited
university following dental school. They must limit their practice
to orthodontics alone to be certified by the American Board of Orthodontics.
The first step is to get to know
you, to find out more about you and what your concerns and expectations
are. Then, we tell you about us.
Then we will take x-rays, dental
impressions and photographs, an customize a treatment plan based on
a complete diagnosis of your case, and explain what to expect during
the course of your treatment.
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Cooperation
How would you like to get your braces off as
soon as possible? Together you and Dr. Shagam can make this happen
as quickly as possible, so let's make a deal...
My Job (Dr. Shagam):
To be a good engineer, a coach, and an understanding doctor who tries
to make treatment as comfortable for you as possible.
Your Job:
Keep all appointments with us. Stop eating sticky, hard, and/or chewy
foods; this will prevent loose bands, brackets, and broken archwires
(which could even be swallowed). Should breakage occur, phone immediately
for an appointment. If you're in retainers, wear them as directed.
Follow all of our instructions, and always bush and floss regularly!
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Diagram
of Your Braces (parts explained)
#1 - Band:
A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented into
place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets and wires to
the tooth.
#2 - Brackets:
Small attachments that hold the archwire in place. Most often
brackets are cemented directly onto the tooth's surface. This practice
eliminates the need for a band.
#3 - Archwire:
Main wire that acts as a track
to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment,
as teeth move to their new positions.
# 4 - Tie Wires
Fine wires that are twisted around
each bracket to hold the archwire in place.
#5 - Elastic Ligatures
Tiny rubber bands used like tie
wires to hold the archwires in the brackets.
#6 - Elastics
Small rubber bands of various sizes
that are hooked between different points on the appliance to provide
pressure to move the teeth.
#7 - Headgear Tubes
Round, hollow attachments on the
back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into them (we seldom
use them).
#8 - Buccal Tubes
Hollow attachments, also on back
bands, which hold the archwires in place.
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Orthodontic
Appliances
Orthodontics has come a long way since the days of "heavy metal"
treatment. New technology and new materials means treatment that is
more comfortable, and more efficient than ever.
We use only the highest quality new orthodontic brackets that have
been polished to a smooth rounded surface with the smallest possible
dimensions. We offer the most popular types of stainless steel braces.
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Living
with Braces
Regular Dental Checkups - Although you are having your braces checked
regularly, it is very important to continue to see your family dentist
at least every six months for a thorough examination and cleaning
of your teeth. If you experience difficulty with good oral hygiene,
you might need to see your dentist more frequently.
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Brushing/Flossing
With Braces (click -here-
for guide)
Brushing and flossing are just as important with braces as they are
without them. Click above for a quick-reference guide on brushing
and flossing with your braces.
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Foods
to Avoid (click -here-
for a list)
Although patients are able to eat or drink many foods while in orthodontic
treatment, there are certain food culprits that can damage orthodontic
appliances and braces.
Eating the wrong foods can bend
and distort wires, causing treatment delays and extra visits for repairs.
In general, hard, brittle, crunchy and sticky foods should NOT be
eaten during orthodontic treatment—hard crunchy foods can bend
and break the braces and wires, while sticky foods may loosen them.
Certain foods may be eaten if
they are prepared in a special way. Whole fruits and vegetables or
any raw foods such as apples, celery and carrots should be sliced
and eaten carefully. Hard crusty breads should be broken and eaten
in small pieces. Corn may be eaten if sliced off the cob.
Do not suck on lemons or limes
(citric acid in juice can dissolve tooth enamel) and especially do
not suck or chew ice cubes. Chewing ice cubes can be very destructive
to your appliances and teeth.
Limit foods with a high sugar
content
The best time to eat carbohydrates or other sugary foods is during
a meal. The mouth produces more saliva during a meal which, in turn,
helps to neutralize acid production and rinse food from the mouth.
If possible, brush immediately after eating. If it is not possible
to do so, rinsing with clear water will help.
Keep fingernails, pencils and
other objects out of your mouth. Do not put anything in your mouth
that may tend to bend, break, pry, pull or knock off the braces.
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Dr.
Shagam