A Phase I appliance aimed at habit cessation. Examples are Tongue thrust or finger/thumb sucking.

Phase I appliances offered by Invisalign to correct a range of early treatment goals.

A range of Phase I appliances that are removable options to correct bite issues.

Sometimes recommended in conjunction with or prior to starting Orthodontic treatment. Sometimes aimed at habit cessation, tongue thrust or posture, lisp, proper sound formation.

Often used in Phase I treatment to re-distribute space to create room for anterior permanent teeth that are lacking space, or to correct anterior crossbite of specific teeth.

Orthopedic Appliances designed to help with growth modification to aid in improving the bite relationship.

A Phase I appliance that is used to widen or develop the upper arch shape, creating space for adult teeth. Also used to correct posterior cross bite.

A Phase I appliance aimed at correcting the bite relationship.

Phase I appliances that are designed to maintain space when primary or permanent teeth are missing or impacted

Pain, bleeding, sharp poking wires that cannot be managed from home with a clipper or wax. Inability to function normally. Brackets off, missing or broken elastics are NOT an emergency but please let us know.

Elastics that are prescribed in a specific pattern to aid with tooth movement and bite alignment. Sometimes patients will wear these full time, sometimes only at night, and the pattern and frequency of wear will be prescribed by the Doctor during treatment.

Avoiding foods that are hard, sticky, crunchy aimed at avoiding the breakage of brackets free of the glue that holds them to the teeth. Frequent breakages can slow down your treatment, resulting in longer overall treatment time. Specific food examples: wine gums, jujubes, popcorn, hard caramels, full apples (please cut in slices), Carrots (please cut thin or steam). Please see document below for more info:

Info about floss threaders, waterpik/water-flossers/power toothbrushes. Brush or at least rinse well after meals and snacks. Outline areas frequently missed with brushing (cervical 3rd of tooth structure between bracket and gum tissue).

If you lose your current tray, please go back to your most recently completed tray as a retainer, call or email us, and we will advise you of the steps ahead. Sometimes we will advise you to move ahead a tray without hesitation, other times we may recommend holding in the last completed tray while we order you a replacement for the lost tray.

Micro-spaces sometimes required to allow adequate space for teeth to align. Thin diamond encrusted dental floss to polish the contact between teeth. This is not expected to be painful.

Invisalign is designed to be worn an average of 22 hours a day 7 days a week. Trays are to be removed from the mouth for all food, as well as beverages other than water. Even carbonated plain water is not advised. After each meal or snack, brush or rinse your mouth vigorously to remove any debris and replace your trays to your teeth. Trays are to be brushed with warm soapy water daily, inside and out, and stored in the carrying case provided when they are not on your teeth.

Sometimes glued to the teeth to aid in elastic wear, often silver.

Tooth colored bumps added to your teeth to aid in tooth movement and tray retention. These will be polished away at the end of treatment.

Elastics that are prescribed in a specific pattern to aid with tooth movement and bite alignment. Sometimes patients will wear these full time, sometimes only at night, and the pattern and frequency of wear will be prescribed by the Doctor during treatment.

Clear plastic retainers. These are regarded as more esthetically accepted, but are not expected to last as long term as a Hawley retainer. Clean these retainers with warm soapy water and a toothbrush daily. Never subject them to boiling water, dishwasher or microwave to avoid damage or warping.

Acrylic and Metal retainers that are durable and longer lasting than other retainer options. Clean these retainers with warm soapy water and a toothbrush daily. Never subject them to boiling water, dishwasher or microwave to avoid damage or warping.

In specific situations the Orthodontist may prescribe a bonded or fixed wire retainer. Often these are used in patients that have a high chance of relapse due to pre orthodontic tooth positions. These retainers do pose extra considerations for hygiene, access challenges for flossing, and are expected to require maintenance at times to to breakage with normal wear and tear. These retainers are NOT a replacement for their removable retainer counterparts. If the Orthodontist recommends a bonded or fixed retainer for you, you will also be provided with a removable retainer that fits overtop, and it will come with the same wear expectations.

Literature shows that lack of retainer wear results in relapse and tooth movement. The guidelines are to wear your retainers full time (22 hrs a day) for the first 6 months after your active treatment ends, then moving to night time wear (12 hrs) indefinitely is the only way to maintain your results over a lifetime. Failing to wear the retainers as prescribed will result in loss of alignment and tooth movement and can require additional orthodontic treatments to correct.

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