Important Tips About Your Appliance

Removable appliances are designed to move or hold your teeth, so it is important to wear them as instructed to ensure you receive optimum results.  Rhode Island Orthodontic Group does understand that caring for your appliance can be a bit confusing at first, so we decided to make it a little easier for you. Below you will find some handy tips about your appliance.

Important Tips About Your Appliance

• Wear your appliance at all times, even when sleeping. The only time your appliance should be removed is while you're eating, brushing your teeth, swimming or playing vigorous activities.
• After you first receive your appliance, it will take a few days for you to adjust to speaking with it.
• You may also experience some soreness for the first few days, but this will also subside. If the discomfort continues or if you have a sore spot in your gums, contact our office.
• It is important to avoid flipping your appliance with your tongue as this can cause damage to not only your appliance, but your teeth as well.
• Clean your appliance daily with toothpaste or denture cleanser.
• Never wrap your appliance in a napkin or tissue and set it on the table.
• Don't store your appliance in your pocket.
• Your appliance should always be stored in its plastic container.
• Keep your appliance away from pets as they like to chew on them.
• Do not try to sterilize your appliance in boiling water. Just bring it to our office to be disinfected if needed.
• Do not soak your retainer in mouthwash.

Please bring your appliance to all of your appointments, and keep in mind that additional charges may be applied for broken appliances. If you have any questions, or need more help, contact us today!

Are you new to the world of braces?

Are you new to the world of braces? If you answered yes, this blog is for you.  We have noticed that several of our new patients are curious about their treatment and the appliances we use to help them achieve the smile of their dreams. For that reason, we've decided to share the definitions of the appliances, or parts, that make up braces.

Check out these 6 parts of braces and learn more about how they create perfect smiles.

Bands
Bands are a ring of metal that fit around the molars and sometimes premolars. The bands are selected from a range of sizes in order to find the tightest-fitting band. The bands are sealed in position using dental cement that contains fluoride to prevent any decalcification during treatment.

Brackets
The brackets hold the archwire against each tooth. The archwire fits into a slot in the bracket. Brackets may be attached directly to each tooth or to a band.

Archwire
The main wires, or archwires, are shaped specifically to fit around the arch into the bracket slots. Teeth move from the pressure that is applied by the braces. That pressure comes from the archwire, which guides the direction of the movement.

Elastics
An elastic is the tiny rubber ring that ties the archwire into the bracket.

Hooks
Hooks are small attachments on the brackets used to attach elastics (rubber bands).

Coil Spring
The coil spring fits between brackets and over the archwire.

Rhode Island Orthodontic Group is a unique practice offering its patients 7 convenient locations throughout the West Bay area. If you have any further questions regarding your braces, please contact us today!

It Pays To Share A Smile

Do you know about our referral program?  At #RiOrtho when you refer a friend, you will receive $100 off your account when they begin treatment!  We have had such great referrals we decided it is time to start rewarding you for being so kind to us!

If you have someone in mind, just print out the card below and have your friend or family member turn it in at their first appointment. When they begin treatment, we will take off $100 from your account with us! It's easy, free, and saves you money!

Learn More About Jaw Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery treats and corrects abnormalities of the facial bones, specifically the jaws and the teeth. Often, these abnormalities cause difficulty associated with chewing, talking, sleeping and other routine activities. Orthognathic surgery corrects these problems and, in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, will improve the overall appearance of the facial profile.

Using the latest in digital imaging technology, we will demonstrate the overall functional and aesthetic benefits of orthognathic surgery. Computerized treatment planning minimizes treatment times, recovery periods and the overall efficacy of your surgery. State-of-the-art materials, such as titanium plates and miniature screws, provide stability, strength and predictability to your treatment. These advances in technology, procedures and equipment reduce post-surgical recovery time, thus allowing patients to return to their normal routines soon after the surgery.

Orthognathic surgery may be unnecessary if orthodontic treatment can correct the problem. With the latest advances in orthodontics, this is sometimes the case. #RiOrtho will determine if orthognathic surgery is the correct treatment option for you.