To successfully complete your orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with Dr. Meehan. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the required appliances as prescribed.

The following paragraphs describe the types of appliances that may be used during your treatment.

Spacers

• Small doughnut shaped elastic rings that are placed between your teeth to create sufficient space to properly and comfortably fit your braces.
• At first, they will feel like pieces of food stuck between your teeth. This sensation will go away in a few days.
• Your teeth may be sensitive for a few days. Any discomfort can be relieved with whatever medication you take for a headache.
• You will be able to eat normally, however, be sure to avoid sticky or chewy foods.
• Never remove the spacers once they are in place.
• You will be able to brush your teeth as usual and floss between the teeth that DO NOT have spacers in them.
• Typically, spacers are worn for one week.
• You should count your spacers everyday to make sure they are still in place.
• If any of your spacers fall out, call our office to see if they need to be replaced.

• There are some foods that you need to avoid. These foods include anything that is sticky, hard, or brittle. Some examples are chewing gum of any kind, caramels, taffy, ice, hard pretzels, and hard candy. Apples and carrots are both fine, but please cut the apples into halves or quarters and the carrots into sticks before eating them.
• Dr. Meehan would like you to turn your appliance once a day. The best time to do this is at night just before going to bed. The turning instructions are as follows:
  • Place the key firmly into the hole in the front of the appliance.
  • Push the key toward the back of the mouth until the key will go no farther and the next hole appears in the front of the appliance.
  • Remove the key by pulling straight down, not forward.
  • If you accidentally remove the key before the next hole appears, you will have to reinsert the key from the back of the appliance and push it farther backwards.
  • If you are not able to find the hole, please call our office.
• You may notice a difference in your speech the first few days after your appliance is cemented. The more you speak, the faster you will become accustomed to the appliance, and the faster your speech will become normal again.
• You may have more saliva than usual for the first few days. This is also normal and will soon disappear.
• Keeping your expander clean is very important. You can brush the appliance when you brush your teeth. Please remember to brush the portion that goes across your palate.
• Your expander is designed to widen your upper arch. As a result, you will notice a space between your two front teeth. Do not be concerned. This is a sign that the appliance is doing what we want it to do. The space will be present for a short time.
• In the beginning, the appliance may make your teeth a little sensitive and sore because of the pressure involved in expanding the palate. If needed, we suggest you take whatever medication you would normally take for a headache to ease any discomfort.
• Your next appointment will be in three weeks, (after you turned your appliance 21 times). If for any reason you are unable to keep this appointment, please stop turning the appliance until you are able to be seen.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office.

Retainer Instructions

• Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
• Take your retainers out when eating... and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
• Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
• When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
• Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
• Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
• Retainer replacement is expensive... with proper care they will last for years!
• Remove retainers when swimming.
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.

Positioners

Positioners complete the final tooth movements in your orthodontic treatment. With your full cooperation, you should only need to wear the positioner appliance for 4-8 weeks.

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wearrubber bands as instructed because the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they are worn as prescribed.

Headgear

Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an “overbite,” (with the uppers forward of the lowers) or an “underbite” (with the lowers forward of the uppers). Headgear gently “pulls” on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw.

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