Ask Dr. Fulton

What happens when Dr. Fulton places my orthodontic appliances?

Before your orthodontic appliances are placed, Dr. Fulton will thoroughly discuss your treatment plan. Any treatment options you may have will be reviewed. She will talk with you about your cooperation and oral hygiene needs. This is an important time to ask any questions you may have about your orthodontic treatment.

Bracket placement:

Dr. Fulton may use bands on the back molar teeth to provide additional support and to allow for different attachments. The bands are basically metal rings that completely surround the teeth. Since most people's teeth do not have spaces between them, it would be nearly impossible or very difficult to place bands without spaces. It would also likely be painful for the patient. Therefore, one of the first steps in the process of placing braces is the separators, or spacers, appointment. The appointment is scheduled a week prior to placing bands in order to provide room between the teeth.

Separators are small elastics (rubber bands) that are first stretched out with a special separator instrument. Then, they are simply flossed into the contact where space is needed. While the separator is being placed, you may feel slight pressure or a pushing sensation - this is due to the pressure needed to allow the rubber band to squeeze through the contact of the teeth. Sometimes, as the separator begins to touch the gum tissue, you may notice a pinch. This sharp feeling usually goes away within a minute or two.

Separators

Although appliance placement is usually painless, there may be some discomfort until you adjust to the braces. This is typically a short-term problem and Dr. Fulton’s team can explain ways you can deal with the discomfort.

How often must I come in for appointments?

Once all of your orthodontic appliances are in place, they must be adjusted on a regular basis so that your teeth continue to move. Depending on your particular case and the appliances that are being used, the interval between your appointments can be as long as 6 to 8 weeks.

Most people seeking orthodontic treatment have important obligations during the day, whether for work or for school. During active orthodontic treatment we see patients every few weeks, and some of these appointments will conflict with work or school.

In order to be fair to everyone, all patient appointments are scheduled so that they alternate between mornings and afternoons.

We have put much time and effort into designing our scheduling system. Here is what we want it to do: We want to see you on time for your appointment, and we want to have plenty of time during each appointment to do the necessary treatment, to give you information about your treatment and to answer any questions you may have. We also want to work with you to schedule appointments around your school and work hours as much as possible. Therefore, we need both structure and flexibility when scheduling appointments.

Here are some aspects of the system that you will notice:

We schedule longer appointments during school hours and shorter appointments after school. By doing this, we can accommodate as many families as possible for after-school appointments. If you prefer to come to the office during a quieter time, please schedule an appointment during school hours.

Some appointments are blissfully short. During your treatment, there will be times when the adjustments can be done quickly, even when they may be very technical. We have put a lot of thought into designing treatment methods that will cause you the least inconvenience.

Because the schedule is carefully crafted, late arrivals can pose a problem. In fairness to the other scheduled patients, we won't try to jam you into the schedule. Instead, we will probably reschedule you. It might be okay for you to wait for an opening in the schedule, but sometimes that won’t be possible until the end of the day.

If you reschedule an after-school appointment, it will need to be rescheduled during school hours. The same applies to a missed appointment. It’s not a good idea to reschedule an appointment; doing so could adversely affect the treatment process.

How long will my treatment take?

Typically, orthodontic treatment lasts between 18 to 36 months. It can take longer, depending on your age, the severity of your case, how far the teeth have to move, your cooperation and your attention to hygiene. Dr. Fulton and her team will do everything possible to provide you with the briefest and most comfortable treatment possible.

What do you mean by "cooperation" and "hygiene"?

The length of your treatment and the quality of the outcome is directly related to your cooperation with your orthodontic team's instructions. You can’t just sit back and expect your braces to do all the work. For example, your help may be needed to make sure the bite is right. Tooth alignment within each jaw may deteriorate if the teeth of both jaws don’t fit together properly. That's why it's so important for you to follow directions for wearing elastics and functional appliances. Also, it is vital that you see your general dentist at least every six months for check-ups and professional cleanings.

Avoiding food or objects that could break or bend your braces will help to ensure that your treatment remains on schedule. Don’t eat hard, sticky and chewy foods, including ice. Pen and pencil chewing should also be avoided. Cleaning your teeth properly while you are wearing braces is important to prevent cavities, gum disease and permanent scarring of the enamel. Generally speaking, expect to be an active partner in the creation of your new smile.

What else do I need to know about oral hygiene?

There are many important aspects to maintaining good oral hygiene. Click on this link to learn more.

What if something breaks?

Broken orthodontic appliances may or may not need prompt attention. Some problems, such as a loose wire, are not considered emergencies. Other situations call for immediate attention. Click on this link to learn more.