A Guide to what to expect after your braces are fitted

This leaflet is for patients (and for parents of young patients) who are about to start a course of orthodontic treatment. It aims to give you an idea of what to expect immediately after the braces are placed; issues to expect during treatment, and what will be expected of you as a patient and parent.

Intra- operative pain

Most definitely NOT. No pain or discomfort is experienced when the brackets are placed.

Post–operative pain?

Pain generally sets in after about 4-6 hours after placement of braces. This is simply because the wires are exerting a low grade force/pressure on the teeth.  The pain generally lasts for about 5 days. It is suggested that you use Panados or any painkiller that you are generally accustomed to. To relieve the intensity of the pressure/force on the teeth, you may eat soft ice cream, suck on a sucker ice lollie or an ice block; remembering NOT to bite it. Over this period you will feel mild mobility of all the teeth.

You will also experience the following:

1. excessive saliva in your mouth
2. defective speech
3. you will sound funny

As the teeth move, you may experience the archwire extruding through the last molar tubes and thus poking your cheeks. Please inform us immediately in order to snip the excess wire.

Bite Turbos?

The purpose of the turbo is simply to prop open your bite; i.e. to disclude your jaws, thereby preventing you biting on opposing brackets which could result in unnecessary breakages. If any of the brackets debonds/breaks off, please keep it and bring it to your next appointment. If you do NOT return them, you will be charged for new ones.

Oral Hygiene: How to care for your braces? 

The onus rests upon you to keep your oral hygiene up to an acceptable standard. The following is advised:

1. Brushing 3-5 times per day
2. use of normal toothpaste
3. use of interdental brushes
4. use of floss- being very careful not to dislodge the wires or the brackets
5. daily use of Fluoride mouth rinse such as Colgate
6. regular use of disclosing tablets
7. visiting your hygienist or dentist for regular 6 monthly check ups

What to eat and what not to eat? 

Eat soft foods; eat small portions; chew slowly & be conscious of biting/chewing

Avoid the following:

1. biltong
2. hard-boiled sweets
3. chewing on sweets
4. chewing gum

Wax Relief:

You will experience different degrees of discomfort, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. If the wire extends through the last tube, this occurs when the teeth are moving hence excess wire extends out of the buccal tube, notify us to snip it.

You may experience dryness of the inner cheeks and lips, hence the brackets or wires will rub up on the soft tissue. There is no need to visit us in this instance. In the event of discomfort of this nature we have supplied you with a pouch of wax. Simply break a small piece off, mold it and heat it between your fingers. Remove excess saliva from brackets by vigorously sucking in air through your mouth, then apply a small ball of wax over the bracket whilst molding it to secure it.

Yes, the wax will come off if drinking hot liquids and eating. Simply add more once it comes off.

Breakages of your appliance:

Please ensure that if anything breaks off, keep it and hand it over to the orthodontist at your next visit.

Do you need to call us if anything breaks off?  Most definitely YES!!!

The orthodontist will determine if you need to be seen immediately or not.

By not informing the orthodontist you may just be delaying or extending your treatment!!

If you fail to return broken components you may be charged for replacement components. A breakage fee of R100 is applicable for each bracket.

Follow up appointments:

The success of treatment depends largely upon patient cooperation. Scheduled appointments are essential to monitor, adjust or amend the treatment. Failure to attend will only delay treatment.

Treatment times

Most orthodontic treatment extends between 18-24 months, however, your individual treatment plan will estimate the length of your treatment.  Active treatment is then followed by a period of retention, in which a retainer appliance will need to be worn for varying amounts on a long-term basis to maintain the teeth in their new position. Once again missed appointments and breakages to the appliances will prolong the treatment time.

Patient co-operation

Orthodontic treatment is a big commitment. Your treatment may take 2 years or more with regular appointments during school and work times. Any missed appointments or breakages of your brace will increase the length of your treatment.

If you do not wear your appliances as directed, this will also increase your treatment time and could lead to a change in treatment type.

You may be asked to wear elastics as part of your treatment and if these are not worn as directed, the success rate of your treatment will be reduced.

Your teeth are at risk from trauma if you play contact sports such as rugby, hockey, boxing. We strongly advise all our patients to wear a mouthguard when playing these sports to protect their teeth and braces.

Changes to the treatment plan may be necessary in some circumstances; for example, poor compliance, unfavourable growth of the facial bones.

Elastics

If you are instructed to wear elastic to rectify or amend the jaw relationship, ownership rests solely on you to comply. You will be instructed how to fit them as each case differs.