Care & Use
Retention | Separators
Palatal Expander | Invisalign®
Retention
When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts a lifetime. Retainers will be worn full time for the first 12 months, and only at night thereafter. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far.
Through the first two years of the retention phase, patients will be seen in our office periodically. Any time after that, patients should call our office if there is a problem with their retainers.
To help maintain your new and improved smile, it is important you wear your retainer(s) as prescribed. Take extra precautions to ensure your retainer is not lost, damaged or broken. If you do happen to lose or break your retainer, please call our office to schedule an appointment for repair or replacement. Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth.
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Separators
Separators, or spacers, are typically small rubber doughnuts placed in between two teeth to create room for orthodontic bands. Separators are usually placed one to three weeks prior to the banding appointment. To prevent the spacers from coming out, avoid sticky or chewy foods, and don't floss around them. If a separator should come out, you can contact our office for further instructions.
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Palatal Expander
The Palatal Expander is typically used during early interceptive orthodontic treatment, but it can also be used in conjunction with comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Attached to the upper molars by cemented bands, the Palatal Expander is an orthodontic device used to create a wider space in the upper jaw. It is typically used when the upper jaw is too narrow for the lower jaw or when the upper teeth are crowded or blocked out of the dental arch.
When patients are still growing, their bone and connective tissue between the left and right halves of their upper jaw are very responsive to expansion. By simply activating the expander through turning a screw in the center of the palatal expander, with a special key we provide, gradual outward pressure is placed on the left and right halves of the upper jaw. This pressure causes an increased amount of bone to grow between the right and left halves of the jaw, ultimately resulting in an increased width.
When you brush your teeth, it is important to remember to use a Proxabrush in addition to your regular toothbrush. Brush as usual and use warm water to flush under the expander.
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Invisalign®
After receiving your set of custom-made aligners, be sure to follow the wearing instructions provided to you. Generally, each set of aligners will be worn for about two weeks. You should remove them only to eat, drink, brush and floss. As your teeth gradually move each week, you will visit us every 4-6 weeks. Total treatment time with Invisalign® usually takes 6-15 months.
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