Braces
Traditional Braces are everything but traditional at Jarrell Orthodontics. Dr. Jarrell uses self-ligating brackets, which uses doors rather than elastic ties to hold the wire in place. Benefits of this type of braces include better hygeine, faster adjustment appointments and less frequent appointments - meaning less time out of school or missed work. Other benefits may include faster, more comfortable tooth movement as less force is required to move the teeth due to less friction within the appliance.
We have found that adults and kids both prefer less-visible braces on their teeth. For this reason our standard braces are tooth-colored ceramic on the upper teeth, where they are most noticeable.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are bonded to the tongue side of the teeth. They can be an option to correct mild crowding in a limited treatment approach on the upper or lower front teeth. The lower front teeth particularly are more susceptible to shifting as we get older. Usually treatment with these braces takes about 6 months and is invisible because the braces are on the back side of the teeth.
Retainers
Once you are out of braces and have your beautiful, straight teeth, you will be fitted with upper and lower retainers. Although movement may be slight, your teeth will not stay perfectly straight if you do not wear your retainers as instructed. Even teeth that have not been moved with Orthodontics will move over time from the forces of biting, clenching, grinding, and fillings or crowns, so it is imperative to wear your retainers as instructed upon completing your treatment.
Normally you will receive a set of upper and lower clear retainers a day or so after your braces come off. Dr. Jarrell may also recommend a bonded lower retainer which is a wire glued on the back of the lower six front teeth. Immediately following your treatment you will be asked to wear your retainers full-time, 24/7, only removing them to eat and brush, for a limited period of time. After awhile Dr. Jarrell will tell you that it is acceptable to wear your retainers only at nighttime. Eventually, Dr. Jarrell will gradually limit how often you wear retainers. You will go down to a few nights a week and then over time, just a few nights a month. Retainers are a lifetime commitment. At no point in time should you ever stop wearing your retainers completely! Just remember this, “stop wearing your retainers when you would like to go through treatment again.”
If you lose or break your retainers, you should call the office immediately so we can make arrangements to repair or replace your retainers, before your straight teeth shift. If you wait, your beautiful, straight teeth will become crooked and a retainer may not fix the problem completely without some type of retreatment.
If your teeth have begun to shift and get crooked again, sometimes, we can regain your straight teeth sometimes in just a few months with aligner treatment and sometimes we must use braces for a short time to ensure straight teeth. After Dr. Jarrell sees you, he will be able to determine what is needed to correct the shifting.
Retainer Instructions
•Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
•Take your retainers out when eating… and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
•Clean retainers thoroughly once a day 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 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!
•Initially, you may find they impair speech slightly. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
•Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
•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 retainers to your appointments.
•Retainer replacement is expensive… with proper care they will last for years!
•Remove retainers when swimming.
•Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.