Central Orthodontics

Removable Braces


	There are two basic types of removable brace:
	Functional Appliances		Simple Removable Appliances
	This is a picture of the brace in place. Note how the plastic blocks at the side hold the bottom teeth forwards. This is what makes it difficult to eat at the beginning but soon the plastic blocks work like teeth and you are able to chew again.			This shows a removable appliance. These can come in many different shapes and each one is made to fit your mouth exactly.
	change the bite to make it fit properly used during the teenage growth spurt can change the bite and allow teeth to fit well enough to avoid extractions must be worn all the time Roll the mouse over these teeth to see a great result! Your new FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCE (the one shown is a twin block and is one of the most commonly used) has been carefully made to fit your mouth exactly and to straighten your teeth as quickly as possible. FAQ'S When do I wear it? How do I get used to it? What about eating? What food should I avoid? How do I clean it? I have a problem with it, what should I do? I've lost it! What do I do? I missed my appointment, what do I do? WHEN TO WEAR You must wear your twin block at all times especially during meal times. This will make the treatment finish more quickly. The brace only works when it is worn. When you leave it out the teeth slip back. The only way to make progress is to wear it day & night. top GETTING USED TO YOUR TWIN-BLOCK At first your brace will feel very big in your mouth and will make speaking and eating more difficult. Do not give up! For the first couple of hours there will be more saliva in your mouth and swallowing will seem awkward. Your mouth will soon adjust to the new brace. top EATING will be difficult also for a day or two. Cut your food into smaller pieces and choose easier foods to eat and swallow. You will become used to the brace soon and be able to eat most of the things you did before. top AVOID sticky and hard foods, especially toffee, boiled sweets and chewing gum as these damage the brace. Sugar, in sweets and drinks should be avoided as well. Sugar causes decay and with a brace in your mouth decay is more likely to happen. top CLEANING Keep your teeth clean to prevent tooth decay and gum disease by using a fluoride toothpaste. Take out your brace after meals to clean your teeth and gums. The brace can be cleaned with your toothbrush and toothpaste as well. This should be done under running water. RETAINER BRITE, a proprietary cleaning agent is available at reception. The brace can be steeped in this two or three times a week to freshen it up PROBLEMS….. ? Broken brace: If the brace is broken or is hurting, telephone the practice as quickly as possible during normal surgery hours. You will receive advice about what to do. Sometimes it is possible to continue wearing if it is only cracked but do not put broken pieces in your mouth. ? Ulcers: If the brace causes ulcers by rubbing on your gum leave it out for a day or two to allow them to heal. If it rubs and causes them again then 'phone the practice for advice. top LOST BRACES If you loose your brace a charge will be made for its replacement. This is a NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE charge and is currently £70. The practice cannot remake your brace unless this money is paid in full. You may receive a full or partial refund from Forth Valley Health Board. This is entirely at their discretion. More information here. MISSED APPOINTMENTS It is very frustrating and wastes our time if you simply fail to attend for an appointment. Your brace needs to be adjusted and checked regularly, please contact the surgery as early as possible if you are unable to attend. The receptionist will happily rebook an appointment if it is inconvenient. A charge will be made for missed appointments or appointments cancelled at less than 24hrs notice. top			simple braces move only one or two teeth at a time may be used to correct an early problem cannot manage complex treatment often fixed appliances are required later to make the teeth straight and fit together A REMOVABLE APPLIANCE (BRACE) is good for certain tooth movements like this. The top front teeth were trapped behind the bottom front teeth and, roll the mouse over to see how they can be corrected. Your brace has been made to be as comfortable as possible. It will be awkward at first but will settle in soon. Please wear it all the time and your teeth will move quickly. FAQ'S When do I wear it? How long will it take to get used to it? What about eating? Will I be able to talk? What about cleaning it? What food should I avoid? I have a problem with my brace, what do I do? It's broken! I've lost it! When should I WEAR it? You must wear your brace at all times including meals, when out with friends and at night; the treatment will finish more quickly this way. HOW LONG will it take to get used to it? At first your brace will feel big in your mouth and make eating and speaking more difficult. This should only last for a few days IF you wear it all the time. You may need to swallow more often for the first couple of hours as extra saliva is produced. top Only EAT easy things at the beginning. Chop them up into small pieces. You will soon become used to the brace and be able to eat most of the foods you ate before. Will my SPEECH be affected? Some words will be more difficult to pronounce at first. The letter "S" is awkward. Practice and you will improve in 2 or 3 days. top HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY TEETH? Morning and night and after meals - take out your brace and clean it with your toothbrush. Brush your teeth and gums then put it back into your mouth. After Meals when you do not have a toothbrush with you - take your brace out and rinse it under running water. This will at least clean the brace and allow you to rinse your mouth as well. You should brush your teeth as soon as you get home. top HOW DO I CLEAN the brace and my teeth? Keep your teeth clean to prevent tooth decay and gum disease by using fluoride toothpaste. To clean your brace rinse with water and brush all over with your toothbrush. Be careful around the delicate wires. How can I clean my brace even more? A proprietary cleaning agent RETAINER BRITE is available at reception. If the brace is steeped in this occasionally, after cleaning, it will freshen it up. top WHAT FOOD SHOULD I AVOID? Avoid sticky foods, especially toffee and chewing gum, as these can become stuck to the brace and difficult to remove. Hard food may damage the brace so please cut it into small pieces. At the beginning you will find it difficult to eat and so choose soft foods and cut them up so that they are easier to chew. You will soon manage to eat most things you did before. What should I do if I have any PROBLEMS with the brace? DISCOMFORT: If the brace is digging in and causing some discomfort try leaving it out for a few hours and then wear it again. If the problem persists then telephone the practice for advice. top BROKEN: If the brace is broken then please telephone the practice for advice. LOST: If you have lost your brace The NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE will charge for its replacement. This is entirely at the discretion of Forth Valley Health Board and a claim form must be submitted to them. This will be organised when you attend for your next appointment. More information here. Currently the replacement cost is approximately £60. top