During your initial visit, we will take photographs of your face and teeth, examine you, and record data concerning your dental health. We will advise you if orthodontic treatment is required and if so, when that should begin. If we recommend that treatment begin at this time, we will then request that you schedule a diagnostic records appointment. If treatment will be needed at a later date, we will place you on an observation program to monitor the development of your occlusion at periodical visits.
Please bring any insurance cards and forms with you so we may assist you in filing for your orthodontic coverage. Also, please bring the health history forms fully filled out for the patient. You can download a form here...
FORM DOWNLOAD
The diagnostic records consist of impressions of the upper and lower teeth for study models and pertinent x-rays so that we can make a complete diagnosis and treatment plan. This appointment normally takes less than an hour and can be completed at your initial exam or scheduled on a separate day. The records will be used by the doctor to aid in diagnosing and planning the course of treatment, as well as for answering any questions you may have about your treatment.
(1) Do Not eat sticky candy
(2) Do Not eat hard candy
(3) Do Not eat suckers
(4) Do Not bite into raw fruit or vegetables (slice into small pieces and chew with back teeth)
(5) Do Not eat corn on the cob
(6) Do Not eat nuts or popcorn kernels
(7) Do Not bite into pizza or hard tacos (cut with a fork and chew with back teeth)
(8) Do Not chew ice or sugary gum
(9) Do Not stick pens or pencils around brackets or wires
(10) Remember: Broken Appliances Delay Treatment!!!!!!!!
(11) Do not drink Mountain Dew, Mello Yello, or Surge (they dissolve the glue causing broken brackets)
(1) Brush after every meal or snack, because food does become trapped in the appliances
(2) Be sure to wedge the bristles of the brush around the brackets and massage the gums
(3) Floss around every tooth a minimum of once every two days
(4) Using a fluoride rinse will give you extra protection against cavities
(5) You may wish to purchase a water pick to aid in the removal of food
(6) Remember: Poor oral hygiene will result in decay and/or gum disease!!!!!!!
If this occurs during office hours call our office immediately, even if you have a regularly scheduled appointment, so that we can plan enough time to repair your appliances when you are seen next. If you should break something after office hours still call our office to leave a message regarding your specific needs and if necessary, you will be directed as to how to reach a doctor on call. If you are unable to reach our office for any reason, you can use wax or sugarless chewing gum temporarily on areas that are sharp or irritating until you can be seen in our office.
Usually the first three days are the most troublesome. Take Advil/Motrin/Ibuprofen for any discomfort you experience. We find it works best for tooth pain. Also, choose a softer food diet during your initiation to braces and use caution when biting into harder foods.
Elastics must be worn 24 hours/day as instructed. Remove when brushing or eating and replace with new elastics as soon as you are finished. If your supply is low or if you are unable to attach them due to a bracket or hook loosening, call our office immediately.
Retainers are to be worn 24 hours a day and only removed when brushing and eating. Clean them by soaking in denture cleaner or brushing with toothpaste. DO NOT wrap them in a napkin or boil them in hot water. They must be kept away from pets. If they are not fitting properly, become broken or lost, or if deeper cleaning is needed, call our office.