Orthodontic FAQ
Have questions for our orthodontist in Orange Park, FL? Be sure to ask them during your next visit at Oakleaf Modern Orthodontics. In the meantime, you can view our list of frequently asked questions below.
What Can I Expect Before and After Orthodontic Treatment?
When patients arrive at our orthodontic practice, our team is ready to greet patients and help complete a few quick forms. Our treatment coordinator will then give them a tour of the office and take a panoramic X-ray. Once the X-ray is done, Dr. Shih will review the X-ray, discuss his treatment recommendation with the patient, and answer any questions they may have.
After treatment is performed, patients should expect to have minimal soreness for a few days while they adjust to braces. Regular adjustment visits will help us monitor the progress and detail as needed.
After treatment, each patient is given a bonded lower metal retainer (which they can opt out of if they don’t want it), along with a clear set of retainers. The retainers are to be worn 24/7 (with the exception of when they eat) for 6 months. After 6 months, they will transition to only wearing the retainers at night to keep their beautiful smile in place.
What Foods Should I Eat and Avoid with Braces?
With traditional braces, avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that can damage your brackets and wires. For example, we recommend avoiding gum, caramel, or jaw breakers.
Clear aligners have no food restrictions due to the convenience of being able to remove them when eating. However, we strongly recommend for patients to brush or rinse with water after they eat before putting the aligners back in.
How Do I Brush My Teeth with Braces?
We recommend that our patients brush their teeth three times a day. However, our goal is for patients to at least brush in the morning and especially at night. An electric toothbrush is highly recommended for better brushing, however a manual toothbrush is also okay.
The ideal is making sure patients brush toward the gumline and around each bracket. We also give each new patient a gift bag that contains floss threaders. If you run out of floss threaders, you may ask for more during your next visit with us. Adding a water flosser to your oral hygiene routine is an added bonus that can help keep everything clean.
You may purchase electric toothbrushes and water flossers at all three of our office locations.
What Should I Do If I Break a Bracket?
If a bracket breaks, please call us so we’re aware. In most cases, a broken bracket is not an emergency. However, it’s important to schedule an appointment with us so we can repair the bracket as soon as possible
What Are Rubber Bands (AKA Elastics)?
Elastics are small rubber bands that help move teeth and align the bite. They connect between specific upper and lower brackets (as directed by Dr. Shih) or on buttons that the aligners have on them. Elastic wear is essential for finishing treatment successfully.
Elastics help align your bite and shift teeth into the correct positions. As such, they play an important part in correcting your smile. Not wearing them as directed can delay treatment. Patients can always ask for more rubber bands at their appointments or come in during our business hours to pick up more if needed.
What Are Hawley Retainers?
A Hawley retainer is a removable appliance that is made with acrylic and metal wire. This retainer helps maintain the placement of your teeth after braces are removed. We have to take impressions beforehand, which are then sent to the lab so they can fabricate the retainer and send it back to us. Typically, the process takes about two weeks.
In general, we give clear retainers to patients after orthodontic treatment. However, we can provide a Hawley retainer upon patient request.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are an alternative to braces and are offered in all three office locations. These aligners are custom made and removable. This gives patients the freedom to continue eating their favorite foods without restriction. It also gives them the ability to brush and floss their teeth as they would normally.
Why Is a Proper Bite Important?
A proper bite allows for efficient chewing, as well as improved speaking and jaw function. not only straightens teeth but also improves the bite, helping to prevent future issues like uneven wear or jaw discomfort.
How Do Expanders Treat Crossbite?
A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. Rapid Palatal Expanders (RPE) are used to gently widen the upper jaw and correct the issue. We typically recommend expanders for growing children or teens since their upper palate bones are still developing and can be guided into a proper position.
What Are Crowded Teeth?
Crowded teeth happen when there isn’t enough space in the mouth for the teeth to align properly. can start as early as 7 years old, gently moving teeth into better alignment and improving both function and appearance.
What Is a Herbst Appliance?
This appliance is used to correct overbites, specifically in growing patients. An overbite occurs when the upper teeth and jaw sit too forward compared to the lower jaw. The Herbst appliance helps guide the lower jaw forward while allowing it to grow into a more balanced position with the upper jaw. This appliance typically stays in for about 12 months.
How Are Braces and Aligners Different?
Braces shift teeth 24/7 through metal or ceramic brackets, as well as arch wires. Since they work continuously, they’re often used for complex treatments. Aligners are clear, removable trays that are replaced every week or few weeks. These clear aligners also depend on patients wearing them as recommended by Dr. Shih in order to work to their fullest potential.
What Is IPR?
IPR is a gentle and safe procedure that involves slightly polishing between teeth to create small spaces for better alignment. IPR is typically done during clear aligner treatment to help teeth move efficiently and improve your smile.
What’s the Difference between Class 1 and Class 2?
- Class 1: The mesial buccal cusp of the upper first molar is aligned with the buccal groove of the lower first molar.
- Class 2: Upper teeth are positioned too far forward compared to the lower teeth.
Book a Consultation with Dr. Shih
Still have orthodontic questions? If you’ve yet to start orthodontic treatment, call Oakleaf Modern Orthodontics at (904) 802-0767 to book a consultation with Dr. Peter Shih. Dr. Shih is proud to serve as your local and trusted , and is currently accepting new patients. If you’re a returning patient, Dr. Shih would be more than happy to answer any questions you have during your next visit.