Treatment Specific Guidelines
Dr. Douglas and Dr. Salimi have prepared these Instructions for our patients in active treatment. As always, you can contact us through the office if you feel you need further guidance.
If you are in BRACES
Bracket(s) have come OFF:
– Currently, brackets cannot be re-glued due to the COVID-19 crisis and the increased risk of spreading aerosols. Keep your bracket(s) until we see you next.
– If a bracket is broken off the tooth but still on the wire, this is not an emergency. The bracket will remain secure on the wire.
POKEY WIRE:
– To alleviate discomfort due to a pokey wire – please obtain a wire cutter and cut the wire behind the last brace that is secure on a tooth.
ELASTICS: BRACES OR INVISALIGN
– If you have been wearing full time elastics for two (2) months since your last appointment please switch to elastic wear for 12
hours per day (i.e. over night)
– If you are in Invisalign aligners and a button for elastics comes off there are two possibilities:
– If you have another button on a tooth on the same side continue elastic wear (on both sides)
– If you only have one button, STOP elastic wear on BOTH sides.
INVISALIGN:
– If you are awaiting your next set of aligners AND are currently in your last aligner that you were instructed to wear – please reduce the amount of wear of that aligner to 12 hours per day (i.e. overnight).
– To keep your aligners fresh use a solution of baking soda and warm water to clean
REMOVABLE UPPER OR LOWER EXPANDER:
– If it has been two (2) months since your last appointment – please STOP turning the screw and continue to wear the expander full time.
UPPER EXPANDER – Glued In
– If it has been two (2) months since your last appointment – please STOP turning the screw.
– If it has come loose on one side – push it back into place. If it is stable, we will re-glue it at your future appointment.
– If it is not stable – please try to remove the appliance by pulling the ring around the back tooth on the other side (the more stable side).
– If it has come loose on both sides – please remove the appliance.
– If the metal arm on a glued-in expander breaks off and the appliance is secure in the mouth, it is safe for the expander to remain in place at this time.
