To successfully complete your treatment plan, patients must work together with the Doctors. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the elastics (rubber bands), appliances as prescribed, and avoids breaking braces.

Elastics

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

Separators

Separators are little rubber doughnuts that may be placed between your teeth to push them apart so that orthodontic bands may be placed during your next appointment, or to help new teeth come in. The separators will be removed before we place the bands. Separators do not mix well with sticky foods or with toothpicks and floss. If they fall out after a few weeks, usually their job is done.

Expanders

Sometimes, we have to grow the upper jaw to fit properly with the lower one. We have a special device that you will have to turn as prescribed - we will show you how. Sometimes a space will develop between the top front teeth, but this will not be permanent.

Retainers

We offer the new, thin, clear retainers for most finished smiles. Please handle them with care as they are very fragile. Other retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. We will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent your teeth from moving back to their old places.