John G. Plummer & Associates

Orthodontics

The correction of the position of your child's teeth is desirable not only to improve their appearance but also to ensure the health of the teeth and gums.

ORTHODONTIC / ORTHOPEDIC
Appliances are used to correct the position of the teeth / jaws. This treatment is desirable not only to improve the general facial appearance, but also to ensure the health of the teeth and gums. Orthodontic treatment is rarely very simple or quick. The usual outcome of orthodontic treatment is one of considerable improvement on the original situation.

APPLIANCES
Treatment will probably involve the wearing of an orthodontic appliance (brace) in the mouth. Some of these types may be removed by the patient, while others are fixed to the teeth. It is important to carry out all instructions concerning cleaning of the teeth and gums.

             Removeable Brace                                Fixed Brace



THE APPLIANCE MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED
The appliance may cause some inconvenience at first and a little perseverance will be necessary. If it causes lasting pain contact the surgery as soon as possible.

DURATION OF TREATMENT
It is often necessary to correct the position of the back teeth before we can start correcting the front ones. It is quite possible, therefore that you may not notice the changes at the early stages of the treatment. The time taken for orthodontic treatment is variable and it is possible to give a rough estimate of between one and two years. During this time the patient will usually be required to attend about once a month. Naturally this will involve some time from school or work, but we will try to make these appointments as convenient for you as possible. It is desirable to discuss arrangements for leave of absence from school or work before treatment is commenced.

SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT
The success of your treatment depends on enthusiastic co-operation from the patient with support from their parents. Failure to carry out instructions will compromise the final result.

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE TREATMENT
Will accept you as a National Health Service patient for this orthodontic treatment. This means there is no charge for the treatment, if you are under eighteen years of age at the commencement. However under NHS regulations you will be charged a statutory NHS fee for replacement if the appliance is lost or broken beyond repair.

GENERAL DENTAL TREATMENT
If you have been referred by another dental surgeon for this orthodontic treatment, it is essential that you continue to attend your usual Dentist for regular inspections.

Extraction of Permanent Teeth
It may be necessary for certain permanent teeth to be extracted as part of the treatment. This is usually because the jaws are not large enough for all the teeth and the space obtained by their loss is required for the remaining ones.

Orthodontic Treatment with Removable Appliances

Your new brace has been carefully made to fit your mouth exactly and straighten your teeth as quickly as possible. You can do a lot to help by following these simple rules:

WEARING
Wear your brace at all times including meals and sleeping times, unless you have been specifically instructed otherwise. The treatment will be finished more quickly this way.

GETTING USED TO YOUR BRACE
At first your brace may be uncomfortable and make eating and speaking difficult. This will only last for a few days as you will soon get used to it.

CLEANING
Keep your brace and teeth clean to prevent tooth decay (a fluoride toothpaste is best). After breakfast and last thing at night - take your brace out and clean it with your toothbrush, brush your teeth and gums and then put your brace back in your mouth. After all meals if possible rinse your brace and brush your teeth and gums. Never put your brace in hot water.

PUTTING YOUR BRACE IN
This will be easier if you can see what you are doing in a mirror. Check that all springs are in their correct positions.

TAKING IT OUT
Always pull on the clips around the back teeth.

THINGS TO AVOID
Sticky foods, especially toffee and chewing gum as these damage the appliance. Also avoid flipping or playing with the appliance with your tongue.

GAMES
Sometimes you will be instructed to remove your brace for games. When not in your mouth keep your brace in a suitable protective container to avoid damage.

TROUBLES
If the brace is broken, continue to wear it if at all possible and contact the surgery as soon as you can. This should also be done if the brace hurts. Do not bother your own dentist if at all possible.

REMEMBER
Lost or broken appliances occur only out of the mouth. Your brace belongs in your mouth. Please keep it there as instructed.

LOST APPLIANCES
We have accepted you as a National Health Service patient and there is no charge for orthodontic treatment, providing you are under 18 years at the commencement. However under NHS regulations, you will be charged a statutory NHS fee if the brace is lost or broken beyond repair. The charge for a replacement.

Orthodontic Treatment with Fixed Braces Success in your treatment depends very much on your co-operation. Please read and follow these instructions carefully :-
 

FIXED APPLIANCES
You are wearing an appliance that is fixed to your teeth and is not to be removed by the patient.

THE FIRST FEW DAYS
During the first two or three days your teeth may feel tender. This should soon pass off and you will quickly get used to the appliance. If discomfort persists or if the teeth become increasingly painful at any time during treatment, please phone the surgery.

BRUSHING
It is essential that youe teeth, gums and appliance should be kept perfectly clean. After every meal and before going to bed for the night, brush your teeth and gums carefully using a toothbrush and toothpaste. A special "Orthodontic Brsuh" is available to help with this.

Dental Decay and Gum disease as result of poor oral hygiene when wearing a brace.
 

YOU MUST AVOID
You must avoid all sticky foods, especially chewing and bubble gum, toffees and also very hard foods, as these will damage the appliance. Think about what and how you chew - consider cutting apples etc. into small pieces before chewing.

BREAKAGES
Treat the appliance carefully as breakages prolong the treatment time. If you should break your appliance or if it becomes loose, keep any pieces and contact the surgery as soon as possible. Do not wait for the next appointment.

ELASTIC BANDS
The use of elastic bands is a very important part of some appliance treatments. If you are instructed to wear elastics, make sure you know their size, understand thier position in the mouth and the frequency of changing to fresh elastics, especially before a holiday. Report immediately if there are any difficulties.

IF YOU FORGET AN APPOINTMENT
If you forget an appointment or are unable to attend, let the surgery know immediately. Active appliances must never be worn for long periods without supervision.
 

GENERAL DENTAL TREATMENT
If you have been referred by another dental surgeon for this orthodontic treatment, it is essential that you continue to attend your usual dentist for regular inspections. The appliance you have been given is known as a headgear. It offers great advantages in improving and speeding up your treatment. The headgear pulls from the back of your head and may feel strange at first, but you will quickly become accustomed to it.
Additional Notes: Expansion Screws
If your appliance has an expansion screw, please adhere to the following instructions. Using the key provided, turn each screw one fill turn every Sunday and Thursday. Be sure to turn the key in the direction of the arrow. The appliance will feel a little tight after it has been turned but this will quickly wear off. Always ensure the appliance is fully seated in the mouth after you turn the key. Failure to do this will stop the appliance working properly. If for some reason you have not been wearing the appliance, turning the key may well mean that the appliance will not seat properly. In this case try half a turn instead of a full turn. In addition to these notes, please follow all the instructions in the "Looking After Your Brace" leaflet.
You are wearing a "functional orthodontic appliance". It will not only move your teeth but if properly worn will greatly improve your whole facial profile. Your lower teeth and jaw will move forwards and your upper teeth will move backwards. Initially these appliances will feel incredibly bulky and will make it very difficult for you to speak. You will overcome this. You must learn to push your lower jaw forwards, so that the lower appliance bites in front of the upper one. By doing this you will be able to get your jaws closer together.

The aim is to be able to wear the appliances all the time including EATING. This will not be possible at first as it will take time for you to become accustomed to it. However, we would like you to be eating with the appliance in by the time you come to see us again. Eating with the appliance in greatly reduces the treatment time and you will be able to discard the appliance much sooner.

EXCEPTIONS - remove the Twin Blocs for games and perhaps lessons like French where you may be expected to pronounce words distinctly. When not in your mouth keep your appliance in the container provided.