Getting Your Braces
Getting your braces on can be a significant milestone in anyone's life, and it's a big step towards achieving a beautiful, healthy smile. Whether you're getting braces as a teenager or an adult, the process can seem daunting and overwhelming. Here we'll take a closer look at what to expect when getting started with your braces and some tips to make the process more comfortable.
After your Records have been collected, our orthodontists review them to plan your personalized treatment. At Leap, one size does not fit all. You will get a custom treatment plan and one-on-one care with your doctor at every visit.
Learning to clean your braces well helps avoid white spots during treatment
You will be able to change your colored ties every visit - change them with the seasons!
While getting braces can be a bit uncomfortable at first, it's important to remember that they're an investment in your oral health and your overall confidence. With a little bit of patience and with a positive attitude, it can also be an exciting and fun adventure. Encourage your child to embrace their braces and take good care of their teeth and gums, and they'll be on their way to a beautiful, confident smile in no time.
Once you've decided on the type of braces – metal or clear – you want, it's time to get started. The first step is to thoroughly clean your teeth with a gritty toothpaste, so they are ready for the bonding. Next, the orthodontist will apply a bonding agent to each tooth along with a sealer to protect your teeth. The worst thing about the two liquids we use is that they taste very sour! We then attach the brackets with tooth-colored composite. The brackets are designed to hold the archwire in place. At Leap, all bonding procedures are done by Dr. Schmahl, Dr. Powers, or Dr. Xofylli.
Once the brackets are bonded, our amazing assistants take over to place the archwires and secure them with elastics bands, called o-ties. These bands come in a variety of colors, so you can choose the ones that best match your personality. If you want to go as low profile as possible, you can select silver or clear o-ties.
Getting your braces on can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the treatment. During this time, we always go over all care instructions to keep your teeth perfectly clean throughout treatment. We also go over the foods to avoid breaking brackets, including hard, sticky, or chewy foods. All this information can also be found here in the Blog or on our website!
After the braces are on, you may experience some discomfort or pressure as the teeth are starting to move. This is completely normal and should subside within a few days. This soreness can be addressed with Tylenol or Advil, and we always prescribe lots and lots of ice cream! Ice cream is the BEST way to get used to your new braces!
When you get your braces on, we make sure Mom and Dad know that ice cream is a must have!