One day in the not-too-distant future, your braces will come off. In a few moments, you’ll be free of bands and brackets, able to eat what you want and run your tongue over smooth, clean teeth. But, even on this happy occasion, please remember that you’re not quite done with orthodontic treatment yet: The next phase, called retention, is just beginning.

Retention is a critical follow-through stage that typically involves wearing an orthodontic appliance called a retainer. Several different kinds of retainers are available, all of which are custom-made just for you. We will recommend the type (or types) that will work best in your situation, and we’ll tell you exactly when and how long you need to wear them.

But if your teeth are straight now, why do you need a retainer at all? Simply put, it’s because if you don’t wear one, your teeth will start moving right back to where they were!

Teeth aren’t set rigidly in the jawbone — instead, they’re held in place by a network of fibers called the periodontal ligaments. After they have been moved, it takes several months (or even years) for the periodontal ligament to adjust to the new position. So, if you want to keep that new smile — and not waste all the time, effort, and money it took to get it — it’s essential to wear your retainer as directed.

Being fitted for a retainer usually happens on the same day your braces are removed. They take approximately 45 minutes to make so you may be asked to come back the same day in the afternoon to receive your retainer.

A Period of Adjustment

After a short time, most people adjust quite well to wearing a retainer. Some may find that they produce more saliva than usual for a day or so after first wearing any type of retainer — a normal reaction to a foreign object in the mouth. You may also find it a little harder to talk normally at first, but that problem will soon disappear. Of course, removable retainers should always be taken out when you eat or brush your teeth — a big change from braces!

You will wear your removable retainers every night for at least TWO YEARS following treatment. After the initial two years, you may be able to reduce your retainer wear to every-other night or even more sporadic. As a general rule, if your retainer feels tight when you put it in, you need to wear it more. If that is not the case, you might get away with wearing it a bit less, but it’s never recommended you go more than a week without wearing the retainer.

Maintaining and Retaining Your Retainer

To stay fresh and germ-free, all retainers need proper cleaning. Soap and water, denture cleaners, as well as special retainer cleaners, can be used to clean most removable retainers.

Finally, remember to always carry — and use — a retainer case. You’d be surprised how many retainers end up folded in a napkin and accidentally discarded! Also, don’t expose your retainer to excess heat by washing it in very hot water or leaving it in a hot car: That can cause the retainer to warp and make it unusable. With proper care and conscientious use, a retainer can help you transition from braces to a permanent, healthy smile.

A – First Visit (Consultation Appointment)- Anticipate 1 hour

At Silver Smiles Orthodontics, our mission is to help every patient achieve the smile of their dreams. Our doctors and expert team of orthodontic specialists take the time to treat patients as individuals, getting to know them personally and designing specialized treatment plans to perfectly suit their unique orthodontic needs. At our office, you are our number one priority from your very first visit!

Your Initial Orthodontic Appointment

We hope you’re as excited as we are for your first visit with us! It’s an exciting time, and it’s a chance for us to get acquainted, to take stock of your current orthodontic health, and to explore the treatment options that might be right for you.

For your first visit, we ask that you plan to spend at least an hour in the office – while we may not use all of that time, this ensures that there’s no rush and that we have ample time to answer all of your questions. When you first walk in, you’ll meet with one of our receptionists or patient coordinators and go through some initial paperwork which will get you into our system. Once you’re through with that, we’ll start with diagnostic work and your exam.

Measuring for Success

We’ll start by taking photographs and x-rays, allowing us to fully understand both the alignment of the teeth and what’s happening under the gums – the positioning and orientation of your teeth, jaws, bones, and joints, as well as any teeth that may still be below the gum line.

The Initial Exam

Next, we’ll perform a careful, thorough examination of your teeth, jaws, mouth, and bite. This will be a lot of looking around your mouth, checking for noise when you open and close your jaws, and asking if you’re encountering any problems when you chew, swallow, or perform other everyday functions. We’ll use the information we gather here to make a diagnosis and decide on the best treatment option.

Planning for a Beautiful Smile

Consider this your chance to ask any and every question you want. We put a lot of value on helping our patients understand their treatments, so we’ll give you ample time to ask and discuss anything you don’t understand or are curious about. We’ll go over all your potential treatment alternatives, how your orthodontics will work, and other major topics like:

• How will orthodontics help?
• What procedures would be best?
• Should we start treatment now or wait?
• Will we need to extract teeth?
• What will it cost? What are my financial options?
• How long will it take?

Financial Information and Insurance

After the doctor has gone over the photographs, x-ray and treatment plan, a treatment coordinator will go over the various treatment options, as well as the cost of treatment. She will also explain how any insurance benefits are applied and will arrange a variety of payment plan options. In most cases, treatment can begin the same day, if the patient/parent are desires to begin orthodontic treatment.

When Can We Start?

In most cases, treatment can begin the same day, if the patient/parent are desires to begin orthodontic treatment.

Contact Your Local Braces & Invisalign Experts

Overall, your first visit will be the beginning step in your journey towards a gorgeous new smile that’ll last you a lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? Feel free to call us. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we look forward to starting you on the path towards a beautiful, healthy smile!

B – Developmental Supervision Appointments – Anticipate 15-20 minutes

Developmental supervision is a program at Silver Smiles that allows us to follow a child through his/her dental and skeletal growth, prior to beginning orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic records are taken which give us a baseline of the patient’s orthodontic issues. There is a one-time charge for the orthodontic records, and the patient is not charged for the developmental supervision appointments. The records charge is deducted from comprehensive treatment, once treatment begins. Typically, patients are seen for developmental supervision appointments between 6-9 month intervals. During the developmental supervision appointments, the doctor is documenting dental changes and recommendations may be made during that time concerning removal of certain baby teeth, or if any early intervention is needed. We do not charge additional fees if additional x-rays or photographs are needed prior to or after treatment begins.  In most cases, we monitor the dental and skeletal growth until most or all of the baby teeth are lost and the patient is ready to begin full comprehensive orthodontic treatment. At the proper time, the doctor will recommend and additional consultation to go over the orthodontic treatment plan.

C – Adjustment Appointments – Anticipate 20-30 minutes

At a typical adjustment appointment, the doctor will examine the patient and give the assistant instructions as to what changes should be made. Elastic ties (“colors”) or power chains are changed at most appointments. Wires may also be changed and additional brackets can be added. Instructions may be given concerning elastic wear, as well as feedback on oral hygiene.  If the patient has broken appliances, the adjustment appointment may take longer. We do try to make all repairs during the scheduled adjustment appointments, but if there is excessive breakage, a longer appointment may need to be scheduled.

D – Bonding Appointments (When you get your braces or Invisalign) – Anticipate 1-1.5 hours

The bonding appointments typically do not cause any discomfort. We routinely bond all brackets to the facial surface of the teeth, eliminating the need for orthodontic bands.  A lip retractor will be inserted into to patients mouth to keep the lips away from the teeth. The teeth are prepared for the braces with a series of etchants and primes. Then the brackets or attachments are placed on the teeth and cured with an ultra violet (blue) light. Once the brackets are on every tooth, wires are placed and elastic ties or power chains are attached to the brackets, which hold the wires in place.  The wires are heat activated nickel titanium wires which work in conjunction with the body temperature. As the wires warm, they exert gentle pressures which begin moving the teeth.

Several hours after the braces are placed, the patient may experience pressure and some soreness as the teeth begin to move. One way to aid this discomfort is by drinking ice water. The cold water will “relax” the wires and help the patient get through the initial adjustment period. Softer foods are also advised, as well as ibuprofen or Tylenol, as needed.

E – Removal Appointments – Anticipate 1-1.5 hours

Removal appointments are typically scheduled during the morning hours. This is a longer appointment, which usually lasts an hour. At this appointment, the brackets are “popped off” the teeth and any residual cement is removed from the teeth. Impressions are made for retainers, which will hold the teeth in the new position. We typically we take new photographs, as well as a panoramic x-ray, the day the braces are removed. Retainers require time to be made and it may be necessary to come for a second appointment to pick up the retainers. The retainer delivery appointments are usually made for the same day as the removal appointment, but in the afternoon.

At Silver Smiles Orthodontics, we strive to provide the highest quality orthodontic care while maintaining a fun, friendly, and relaxed office environment. Our doctors work hard to design specialized treatments for every patient we see, and we’re proud to serve the communities of Atlanta and Snellville, GA with expert orthodontic care. For many people, though, it can be hard to know when they should come into our office.

A Myriad of Signals

There are a few answers to this, but the simplest is that you should come and see us anytime you have questions about the alignment of your teeth or the health and function of your bite. While this is sometimes obvious in cases where there’s a clear problem in the alignment of teeth or the jaws don’t meet correctly, other times, it may be more subtle – but just as serious. Conditions like mouth breathing, clenching or grinding of teeth, or an inability to comfortably close your lips are all signs that you may need treatment, and even things as subtle as your jaws frequently shifting position can indicate a problem.