Appliance Instruction
Oral equipment can be confusing and feel overwhelming. We're here to help bring comfort to you in using your new appliances.
Instructions for Use
The gear inside of your mouth has an important job.
Use the information below to guide you in using your equipment.
It is important for you to keep your appointments so progress can be made with your SLE. If you must cancel, please call in advance and reschedule.
- Check your appliance regularly and call the office if you need a repair appointment. A tooth can scar or decay under a loose band.
- Brush your teeth and SLE twice a day. You may use wax if the appliance is rubbing a sore.
- If your teeth get sore, take Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods, such as caramel, bubble gum, jolly ranchers, nuts and ice. Do not have popcorn or foods with seeds which may get caught under your appliance.
Spacers are plastic or metal rings designed to make space between teeth for banding or braces (and to make it as comfortable as possible to do).
- Your teeth may be sore after your spacers are placed. Take Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen as a pain reliever.
- No sticky, chewy food, gum, or candy because this will cause your spacers to fall out!
- Brush well, but do not floss between teeth with spacers.
- If you lose a spacer before your next appointment, call the office. It may not need to be replaced if it is the day before.
It is important for you to keep your appointments so progress can be made with your appliance. If you must cancel, please call in advance and reschedule.
- Check your appliance regularly and call the office if you think a band is loose. A tooth can scar or decay under a loose band.
- Brush your teeth and appliance twice a day.
- You may use wax if the appliance is rubbing a sore.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods, such as caramel, laffy taffy, jolly ranchers and bubble gum. Avoid popcorn as the hulls can get stuck around your bands and cause issues.
Headgear helps guide the growth of the face and jaws and helps move upper and lower teeth into a better position.
- You must wear your headgear 12-14 hours daily - more is great but less will just not work.
- Take Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen for soreness as you adjust to the new pressure.
- Do not wear headgear for rough play, sports, running or biking - this can cause serious injury.
- If anyone grabs your headgear, hold onto the facebow to protect yourself.
- Unhook your strap to remove headgear and pull facebow straight out. Bending up or down may loosen bands, and that means another trip to see your friendly orthodontist!
Retainers hold your teeth in their final position. Wearing retainers is essential to your treatment and preserving your new smile.
- Retainers must be worn at nighttime while you sleep for the rest of your life.
- Keep your retainer in the case provided. If you wrap it in anything else, or put it in your pocket, you may lose it or throw it away. Retainers are EXPENSIVE to replace.
- Bring your retainers to all appointments for adjusting and to check the fit.
- Call the office IMMEDIATELY and schedule an appointment if you lose or break your retainer, or if you notice your teeth shifting or moving. There is a charge to replace broken or lost retainers.
- To put your retainer in, push the retainer over your front teeth and then use your fingers to apply equal pressure over the back teeth until the retainer snaps in. DO NOT BITE INTO POSITION.
- To remove the retainer, start on one side at the back and slowly work your way around to the other side. Alternate sides each time you take it in and out. To help prevent damage, avoid unnecessary removal.
- When the retainer is removed, immediately rinse with water, shake off excess water and store in the case.
- Clean your retainers each time they are removed with a soft bristle toothbrush using water.
- You may use denture cleaner if your retainers need to be cleaned, but do not soak them in mouthwash. Avoid using toothpaste.
