Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Elastics are used during treatment to produce a force that will move the teeth. Please wear them exactly as you are instructed. Failing to do so can increase your treatment time considerably. If you are unclear on how to wear them, please ask, we're here to help! NOTE: It is not unusual for the teeth to become sore for the first couple of days. Stick with it since it will get better as the teeth get used to the pressure.

• Wear your elastics 24 hours per day unless you are instructed differently. You may take them off to eat and brush your teeth, if you wish. (If you can eat with them in, the teeth will move faster.)
• Replace your elastics with new ones twice a day.
• When an elastic breaks, replace it immediately. Keep a few extra elastics in your pocket in case one breaks.
• Make sure not to run out of elastics. Ask for more when you are running low, or stop by our office to get some. We can even mail them to you if needed.

It takes 10 hours of pressure to slow the blood supply to one side of the tooth, long enough for the cells to release the bone dissolving chemical. If you remove the rubber bands for more than 45 minutes, it takes 10 more hours for the tooth to start moving again. Therefore, be consistent, it will really speed up your treatment. If you have any problems or questions, please do not hesitate to call (715) 421-5255.

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Herbst® Appliance

The Herbst® appliance reduces overjet by encouraging the lower jaw forward and the upper molars backward. This fixed appliance is used mostly for younger, growing patients and is worn for about 9-12 months.

At first, your mouth will feel unusually full and speaking will be awkward. If you practice reading aloud, your ordinary speech will return quickly. You may also notice more saliva than normal, but this will decrease as you become accustomed to the appliance.

Even though the Herbst appliance prevents the lower jaw from moving backward, opening and closing movement still occur easily and patients do not have any problems learning to chew their food with their lower jaw in this new position.

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Palatal Expander

The palatal expander "expands" (widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Dr. O'Leary will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. Typically expansion occurs over one month. The screw is turned each day with the special tool provided by our office widening the upper arch as it expands. When the desired result is achieved, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.

When the adjustment is made, you will feel a slight pressure sensation in the nose area. This feeling lasts for only a short time, or may not even occur for some people. As the arch is expanded, the front teeth will separate and eventually have a space between them. This is also temporary. When the expansion of the appliance is completed, the teeth will naturally slide toward each other reducing the space. This will not reduce the expansion gained in the molar area.

At first, it is possible for food to get caught on the roof of your mouth. This may occur until some expansion is gained. Rinsing vigorously with water or mouthwash and using the proxabrush provided to you are ways to remove any particles.

It will take a day or two to get use to the appliance. It may be slightly harder to talk since your tongue isn't used to the expander. You may have more saliva in your mouth until your mouth becomes accustomed to the expander. Your tongue may have minor soreness from the new appliance. These things are all normal and temporary. Call our office if you experience more than these slight symptoms

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Forsus Appliance

This appliance gets connected to the braces you already have. It is placed on both sides of the mouth and is hooked to the upper and lower wires and braces. This appliance is used to bring the lower jaw forward to correct your bite relationship.

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Retainers

Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. Your Dr. O'Leary 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 regression of your treatment.

Visit the retainers page to learn more on how to care for your retainer »

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Hawley Retainer Instructions

• Wear your retainer full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
• Take your retainer out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
• Clean retainer thoroughly with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but these do not take the place of brushing.
• When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them! Be sure both retainer and case are in a safe place.
• Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to them faster.
• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us on that or the next business day.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
• Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
• Retainer replacement is expensive...with proper care they will last for years!
• Remove retainers when swimming, water activities, sports activities, and gym class.
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.

Visit the retainers page to learn more on how to care for your retainer »

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Essix (Clear) Retainer Instructions

• Wear your retainer every night unless instructed by the doctor to wear full time.
• When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in the retainer case. Pets love to chew on them! Be sure both retainer and case are in a safe place.
• Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
• Clean retainer with a soft bristle tooth brush and liquid soap. Toothpaste is abrasive and will scratch the clear surface. Use warm, but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainer is lost, broken or not fitting well, call us on that or the next business day.
• If you spend a night away from home (occasionally) it is okay to leave it at home.

Visit the retainers page to learn more on how to care for your retainer »

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Bonded "Lingual" Wire Retainers

Wires are often bonded to the back of the upper and lower front teeth following orthodontic treatment. These fixed retention wires are designed to maintain the alignment of the anterior teeth 24 hours a day. This allows for reduced time while wearing removable retainers each day and then usually can be limited to night time only. It is important to floss regularly under the fixed retainer wires and we will show you how to do it. They are not meant to be on for a lifetime, but many patients prefer to leave the wires in place for many years in order to minimize the possibility for any relapse of anterior tooth rotations. The dental hygienist can clean around these fixed lingual retainers much like your teeth were cleaned around your braces. Good oral hygiene is critical while wearing lingual bonded retainer wires.

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Separators or Spacers

1. Separators are little rubber doughnuts that may be placed between your teeth to push them slightly apart.

2. The purpose of using spacers is to gain space to make it easier to fit and cement orthodontic bands on your teeth at your next appointment.

3. The spacers will feel like you have something caught between your teeth such as popcorn or meat. The separators will be removed before we place the bands. The spacers may make the teeth sore and the gum tissue somewhat irritated. Feel free to take whatever you would normally take for this type of discomfort.

4. Avoid sticky foods, such as gum or caramels, and avoid picking or pulling spacers out. It is important that they stay in place until the next appointment in order for the bands to be properly placed on the teeth and making it easier for the patient. Do not use toothpicks!

5. You can brush and eat as usual. However, dental floss can not be used where a spacer has been placed.

6. A soft, plastic bite wafer that we provide for you can be used to alleviate discomfort. You may use it as often as you need. The more you bite into it, or clench on it, the faster your teeth will feel better.

7. If a spacer does come out, please call the office for assistance at (715)421-5255. If you are having a Herbst Appliance placed, please inform our receptionist at this time.

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Medication taken prior to certain orthodontic procedures

Propantheline or Saltropine are tablets our office gives to help control saliva. It is used with some, but not all of the procedures we do.

Propantheline

1. Take 1-2 tablets (Whatever we have given you) 30-45 minutes before your next appointment.
2. Do not chew, may be taken with food or drink.
3. Do not take if you have glaucoma, heart disease or kidney disease.
4. Do not take if pregnant.
5. Patients who wear contacts: Propantheline may dry eyes. (wear glasses or use wetting solution).

Saltropine

1. Take the number of tablets we have given you 1 hour before your next appointment with a full glass of water.
2. Do not chew, may be taken with food or drink.
3. Do not take if you have glaucoma, asthma or allergies being treated with medication.
4. Do not take if pregnant.
5. Saltropine may dry your eyes, if you wear contacts consider wearing glasses or bring wetting solution.