My Appointments

PURPOSE: This appointment is required to separate the back teeth to create sufficient space to fit the bands. Tiny rubber rings fit snugly between each tooth to help move the teeth slightly apart. They usually stay in place for five to ten days before the bands are fitted.
DISCOMFORT: The back teeth are often uncomfortable for a few days. Softer foods make it easier to eat. Treat any discomfort as you would for a headache.
CLEANING: Tooth brushing should be carried out as usual, but care should be taken to avoid dislodging the separating elastics.
LOSS OF ELASTICS: Usually the loss of one or two elastics is of no consequence. If you do lose a spacer, find out if it has done its job by slipping some dental floss between the two teeth. If the floss gets stuck, the spacer should be replaced before your banding appointment. If many separators are lost, please call our office for advice.

TIME: This appointment may extend over approximately two to three hours. This appointment is scheduled during non-peak hours, in the morning.
BANDS AND BRACKETS: Bands and brackets are bonded and cemented at this appointment.
ARCHWIRES: A light wire will be placed at this appointment to minimize discomfort and allow the patient to adjust as comfortably as possible to his or her new appliances.
ELASTIC LIGATURE: Colored elastic or metal ligatures will be used to attach the archwire to the brackets.

TIME: The patient will be seen on a regular basis for adjustment of appliances. These are usually scheduled every 4-6 weeks on the average. The length of adjustment appointments varies from 25 to 45 minutes with the average time being 35 minutes.
REPAIR: Please call us to notify our office of breakage, as more time may be required to fix the problem. Repair of broken appliances requires more time than a regular adjustment appointment.