Health Updates - Many medical problems can
affect your progress with braces. Tell us about all medications,
allergies, and changes to your health. Some patients are allergic
to the materials in the braces and rubber bands. If an allergic
reactions occurs, braces may need to be stopped. Usually, special
braces and rubber bands can be used to avoid an allergic reaction.
Treatment Time - Your time in braces is
only an estimate. The actual time in braces may be shorter or longer.
Excessive
or deficient bone growth, poor cooperation, broken appliances, and
missed appointments are all important factors that can lengthen
treatment and affect the quality of the results.
Abnormal Jaw Growth - Occasionally,
unexpected or abnormal changes in growth of the jaws may limit our
ability to achieve the desired result. If your teeth and jaws do
not grow as expected, your bite will change. If you have braces
when this happens, you might need to be in braces longer or have
jaw surgery. If abnormal tooth or jaw growth happens after you get
your braces off, you may need to have braces again. Abnormal
growth is something we cannot predict or control.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD or TMJ)
- Problems can occur in the jaw joints making it hard to open your
mouth, giving you joint pain, headaches, ear aches, or pain when
chewing. If you have any of these problems, please tell us right
away. Braces do not cause or cure TMD or TMJ.
Discomfort - Getting braces and having
adjustments to straighten your teeth can make your teeth and mouth
sensitive or sore. Everyone is different, but in general, the
soreness usually lasts 24 to 72 hours.
Injury with Braces - Your braces may poke
or scratch your mouth. Parts of your braces may become loose or
break if you get hit in the mouth or face from sports or
horseplay. Eating hard or sticky foods can also break your braces.
If parts of your braces become loose or break they may be
swallowed or inhaled (breathed into the lungs). Even though
headgears have a safety system, they can be dangerous. They can
hurt your eyes and face.
Routine Dental Visits - General dental
care and check-ups are the responsibility of the patient and your
regular family dentist. We recommend that you be seen at least
every six months by your family dentist during active orthodontic
therapy. If you change your family dentist, please notify our
office as soon as possible.
Cavities, Decalcification, Gingivitis, Periodontal Disease
- You can get cavities (tooth decay), decalcification (permanent
white or brown spots on your teeth), gingivitis (red, puffy gums),
or periodontal disease (loss of bone that supports your teeth) if
you do not brush and floss your teeth frequently and properly, or
eat foods with a lot of sugar. These same problems also occur in
patients not in braces, but the risk is greater while in braces.
Furthermore, the bone and gum tissue that support the teeth may be
affected by orthodontic tooth movement if an unhealthy condition
already exists. Tobacco use can increase your chance of getting
gum disease and slows down healing in your mouth.
Root Resorption - Having braces can
sometimes cause the roots of your teeth to get shorter. A past
injury of your teeth can increase your chances of having this
happen. In general, shortened roots are not a severe problem, but
can sometimes lead to early loss of the teeth that are affected.
If you get root resorption, we may stop or slow down treatment.
Traumatized Teeth - A large filling or an
injury to a tooth from a past accident can damage the nerve inside
the tooth. Straightening injured teeth can sometimes irritate the
nerve and you may need to have a root canal on that tooth.
Extractions and Orthognathic Surgery - You
may need to have some teeth removed or jaw surgery as part of your
treatment. This is usually needed to fix severe crowding or severe
mismatch of the jaws.
Impacted / Unerupted Teeth - Teeth that
are stuck in the jaw and have not come into the mouth can be
problems. They can cause loss of teeth, gum problems, and
shortening of roots. Usually these teeth can be brought into the
mouth. Some teeth become ankylosed (fused to the bone) and will
not move. These teeth may need to be removed. These problems mean
you may be in braces longer.
Tooth Reshaping (IPR/Enameloplasty) -
Braces alone may not provide an ideal result. The best result may
require changing the shape and size of your teeth. This may
include reshaping or flattening some of your teeth by selective
removal of enamel or adding filling material to make your teeth a
different size.
Wisdom Teeth - As wisdom teeth develop,
your teeth may change alignment. We, along with your dentist, will
monitor them in order to determine when and if the wisdom teeth
need to be removed.
Retainers - Teeth have a tendency to
change their positions after treatment. Faithful wearing of
retainers reduces this tendency. We recommend wearing retainers a
minimum of sleep time indefinitely. A common site for these
changes to occur is in the lower front teeth where some changes in
tooth positions should be expected. The relationship of the upper
to lower teeth can change adversely due to such problems as
chronic mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, and abnormal jaw
growth.
I have read, understood, and have had all my questions
answered about the risks and limits of braces. I understand
that things can change while I am in braces and the risk of
continuing braces may become greater than the benefits. The
braces should be stopped if this happens. I know that my
treatment generally goes as planned but my results are not
guaranteed.
Upon any diagnosis, I authorize Smile Orthodontics to perform
all recommended treatment including X-rays, photos, and scans
throughout treatment. I understand that I may ask for a full
explanation of any possible complications. Please let us know
if you have any questions.