BRACES PROCEDURE
YOUR FIRST VISIT
We are so excited to welcome you to our office! During your first experience with us, we will provide you with an office tour and get you acquainted with the practice. Dr. Ravneet will conduct a free comprehensive exam, which will include x-rays and diagnostics, coupled with a thorough review to determine the best treatment option designed for your needs. We believe each patient’s needs are unique, and we enjoy tailoring treatment in order to meet the needs of all our patients.
We promise to provide you with a memorable and fun experience that will leave you with a radiating smile! We understand the needs of our families, and time is so important. We are often available to begin your treatment on the day of your consultation if you prefer! We are here to answer any questions you may have, so please feel free to contact us. Schedule your first visit today so we can jump-start your journey towards your new and beautiful smile.
Consultation & Record making
Dr. Ravneet will spend time with you to discuss your main concerns and treatment goals, answer any questions you have, and present you with your treatment options. Aspen Orthodontics takes your budget, lifestyle, and needs into account, so everyone has the opportunity to achieve a perfect smile.
Braces Placement
Once you decide on your desired treatment, it’s time to place the braces and let them work their magic. If you are going with either Invisalign or lingual braces, Dr. Ravneet will use a state-of-the-art iTero® scanner to take digital impressions of your teeth. No more gooey mess with taking molds and no need for re-dos! Scans will result in your set of aligners for Invisalign or your customized wires for your lingual braces. The next step is very similar for either lingual or traditional braces: Dr. Ravneet and her team fit the brackets, archwire, and elastics to your teeth. The pain-free process lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.
Adjustments
You’ll come in for periodic appointments mostly once in a month during which the Aspen Orthodontics team will adjust your braces. We’ll take extra care in addressing your concerns throughout treatment and make sure things are progressing smoothly. Each time you visit you’ll be a little closer to your amazing new smile.
Braces Removal/Debonding Day
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the finish line! Dr. Ravneet will remove your braces, which is a painless process, and you’ll finally get to admire your perfectly straight teeth and radiating smile!
Post Braces Care
Retainer Types and Cleaning
After orthodontic treatment, maintaining your teeth in the jaws in the correct position with retainers is critical. After the first few months of full-time retainer wear, most patients will move to night time wear only on their retainers. At Aspen Orthodontics, we offer many different retainer options and often adapt these retainers to your individual needs.
The three most common types of retainers you will be able to choose from are:
1. Removable Hawley wire retainers
Advantages:
1.Last a long time
2.Can be tightened or repaired
3. Allow the bite to "settle" into a more comfortable position over time
Disadvantages:
1. Do not cover the biting surface of the teeth, so do not protect against grinding
2. Allow slight movement of the teeth
3. Are more expensive to replace
4. More noticeable visually as the metal wire can be seen
5. Bulky coverage of the palate is bothersome to some patients
6. Can be lost or broken
2. Removable Clear Plastic Retainers
Advantages:
1. Hold the teeth in the exact position there were moved to
2. Protects the teeth against wear from grinding
3. Almost invisible
4. Are less expensive to replace than other retainer options
5. If slight movement occurs, wearing them full time can help move the teeth back into the proper position.
Disadvantages
1. Don't last as long at the other retainers
2. Are easy to lose because they are so clear
3. Bonded Permanent Retainers
Advantages:
1. Can last for many years if properly maintained
2. Can't be lost as they are permanently glued in
Disadvantages
1. Are much more difficult to clean, brush and floss
2. Care must be taken not to eat things that are too hard
Important information on wearing retainers
1. Wear your retainer at all times, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
2. Take your retainer out when eating, and always put it back in its case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
3. Clean the retainer thoroughly once a day with toothbrush water. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers remove the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but do not take the place of brushing for the clear retainers, but should not be used with metal retainers.
4. When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case. Pets love to chew on them!
5. Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to it faster.
6. Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately.
7. If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
8. Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
9. Retainer replacements are expensive, but with proper care, they can last for years!
10. Remove your retainer when you go swimming.
11. Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
Everyone requires a retainer to maintain the new position of their teeth. The retainer will be uniquely designed to fit your new smile and adjustments will occasionally be necessary to keep your teeth straight post-treatment. Trust us, when you see your smile, you’ll want to protect your investment!