Sore Teeth
Each time we adjust your braces they push your teeth to the next position. That can briefly make the teeth sore at first. You may be experiencing some discomfort after beginning treatment or at the change of wires or adjusting of appliances. This is normal and should diminish within 24-72 hours. A few suggestions to help with the discomfort:
Loose Bracket
Occasionally, a glued bracket may come loose. Brackets are expensive so don’t throw it away.
Poking Wire
If a wire is poking your gums or cheek, there are several things you can try until you can get to the office for an appointment.
Wire Out of Brace
Try to remember to avoid hard or sticky foods that may bend the wire or cause it to come out of the back brace. If this does happen, you can ask a friend or family member for some help.
Poking Elastic Hook
Some brackets have small hooks on them for elastic (rubber band) wear. These hooks can occasionally become irritating to the lips or cheeks. If this happens, you may either use a pencil eraser to carefully push the hook in, or you can place a ball of wax on the hook to make the area feel smooth.
Secure Online Form for Kids
We have the option to share your child’s health history with us by filling out our secure online forms.
When you book your appointment you will be sent a link. Check your texts and/or email (it may be in spam)
If you did not receive it please call us.
Call 203-324-6171
Downloadable Form for Kids
Save time, download the form at home, print it, fill it out and bring it with you.
Download
Secure Online Form for Adults
We have the option to share your health history with us by filling out our secure online forms.
When you book your appointment you will be sent a link. Check your texts and/or email (it may be in spam)
If you did not receive it please call us.
Call us 203-324-6171
Downloadable Form for Adults
Save time, download the form at home, print it, fill it out and bring it with you.
Download
Invisalign, Invisible Braces
Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional braces for both adults and teens that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten your teeth. So not only are they virtually invisible, but because they’re also removable things like eating, brushing and flossing are all much, much easier.
If you’re a candidate for Invisalign the highly experienced doctors at Dental Care Orthodontics first create a series of 12 -20 computerized models of your teeth going from start to straight. Then, using the models, we make a series of plastic aligners that are created specifically for you. Each one is is a little straighter than the one before it so that over time we can move your teeth into the correct position. All you have to do is wear each aligner for about two weeks and then switch to the next one in the series and you’ll be on your way to a healthy, beautiful smile!
Clear Braces
If you want a straighter smile but cringe at the thought of braces and “metal mouth” then clear braces may be the right alternative. Clear braces, also known as ceramic or tooth-colored braces blend in naturally with your teeth making them barely noticeable to others.
At Dental Care Orthodontics our board-certified orthodontists can make your braces clear so that only a tiny thin wire is noticeable from a conversational distance. For some people it’s even possible to have the braces on the back of the teeth instead of on the front so that there is absolutely nothing visible to others!
Damon Braces
Daemon braces are one of the latest developments in orthodontics and offer a number of benefits over traditional braces including faster treatment, fewer office visits for adjustments and less discomfort.
With traditional braces a metal wire is fit into the tooth bracket and it pulls or pushes your tooth into the right position. Wires are held into the brackets with either metal ties or rubber bands which can increase friction and slow tooth movement. In the Damon system the metal ties or rubber bands are replaced by a little sliding door on the bracket to hold the wires in place. This allows your braces to work more efficiently so you don’t have to wear them as long!
Daemon also offers a clear option so that your braces will be barely noticeable!
Lingual Braces
No one will even know you have braces!
Lingual braces are braces that we put on the back of your teeth instead of on the front so that no one will actually be able to tell that you have braces on.
Not everyone is a candidate for lingual braces, but if you are then our board-certified orthodontists at Dental Care Orthodontics will be happy to discuss it with you.
Traditional Braces
Modern dental braces are very different then what you may imagine. We don’t have to put unsightly metal bands around all of your teeth to hold the brackets and the wires that move your teeth. Instead, today, we gently bond tiny brackets to your teeth which mostly eliminates the dreaded “metal mouth” look. And since the wires are often held in place by rubber bands we can even offer you a choice of colors to express yourself!
There are many different systems available and our highly experienced orthodontists at Dental Care Orthodontics will be happy to talk about what would be best for you.
Sonicare
The Sonicare features superior cleaning technology with patented high-speed sonic technology. It improves gum health by reversing gingivitis and helping shrink periodontal pockets. Furthermore, it is clinically proven to significantly reduce coffee, tea and tobacco stains.
The Sonicare is our favorite for general use and is available for purchase at our office or over the internet.
Rotadent
For people with with braces or gum recession the Rotadent is our favorite. Each brush head has 4,577 MicroFilaments — Proprietary bristles that are 1/3 the width of traditional toothbrush bristles so they can get to areas that a standard bristle might miss — below the gumline and between teeth.
You can purchase the Rotadent toothbrush through our office or over the internet.
Hydrofloss
A home irrigator lets you spray water at your teeth, between the teeth and under the gum line to help flush out the plaque and bacteria so that your mouth can stay clean and healthy. This is a fast and super easy-to-use device that all people with braces should take advantage of. Just add comfortably warm water and spray the teeth at the gum line from the outside and the inside. It just takes 3 minutes!
Our favorite home irrigator is the Hydrofloss which is available for purchase at our office or over the internet.
Waterpik
Similar to the HydroFloss home irrigator, the Waterpik helps remove food particles from your teeth and helps reduce bleeding and gum disease. Either option works great and we have both available in the office.
The benefit of the Waterpik is that it is smaller than the HydroFloss. It takes up less space in your bathroom. We recommend this product for single/personal users. For families, we recommend the HydroFloss because it can support more water and allows you to add additional tips to avoid sharing.
Sonicare
The Sonicare features superior cleaning technology with patented high-speed sonic technology. It improves gum health by reversing gingivitis and helping shrink periodontal pockets. Furthermore, it is clinically proven to significantly reduce coffee, tea and tobacco stains.
The Sonicare is our favorite for general use and is available for purchase at our office or over the internet.
Nylon Floss
Nylon floss threaders work like needle threaders to guide floss into hard-to-get-to places. These are absolutely great, but do take time and discipline to use regularly so if that doesn’t work for you then you will definitely want to use the HydroFloss home irrigator!
Rotadent
For people with with braces or gum recession the Rotadent is our favorite. Each brush head has 4,577 MicroFilaments — Proprietary bristles that are 1/3 the width of traditional toothbrush bristles so they can get to areas that a standard bristle might miss — below the gumline and between teeth.
You can purchase the Rotadent toothbrush through our office or over the internet.
Take Home Care
Home fluoride is prescription-strength fluoride for daily home use. It is TEN times stronger than fluoride toothpastes you can buy over the counter. It works to harden the enamel of adults and children age 12+ whose teeth have already grown in. In addition to helping prevent decay, it also helps to minimize gum-line sensitivity.
The product we recommend and dispense at Dental Care Orthodontics is prescription strength Take Home Care.
People who should use home fluoride are kids 12 and over and adults who have braces, a history of decay, many old fillings, have sensitive teeth, are planning to whiten their teeth or who want to take the extra step to help their mouth be as healthy as it could be.
Phase 1
The goal of phase one treatment is to help your child’s jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth that are eventually going to come in and to improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together.
Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age. If children over the age of six are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of eight have crowded front teeth, early treatment can avoid the need to extract permanent teeth later.
Children can benefit tremendously from early phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may prevent the removal of permanent teeth later in life or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws.
Orthodontic records are necessary to determine the type of orthodontic appliances that should be used, the length of treatment, and the frequency of visits. Records consist of models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs.
Resting Phase
At the end of the first phase of treatment, the teeth are not in their final positions. A successful first phase will have created room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path. Otherwise, they may become impacted or severely displaced.
The next phase is known as the resting period. At this point the permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt. Retaining devices may or may not be recommended, depending on if they would interfere with eruption. It’s best to allow the emerging permanent teeth some freedom of movement.
During this time occasional appointments for observation are necessary, usually on a six-month basis.
Phase 2
The second phase begins when all of the permanent teeth have erupted.
The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly.
Phase two usually involves full upper and lower braces.
Retainers are usually worn after the braces come off to help ensure that your child’s teeth remain in the correct position.
Invisalign, Invisible Braces
Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional braces for both adults and teens that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten your teeth. So not only are they virtually invisible, but because they’re also removable things like eating, brushing and flossing are all much, much easier.
If you’re a candidate for Invisalign the highly experienced doctors at Dental Care Orthodontics first create a series of 12 -20 computerized models of your teeth going from start to straight. Then, using the models, we make a series of plastic aligners that are created specifically for you. Each one is is a little straighter than the one before it so that over time we can move your teeth into the correct position. All you have to do is wear each aligner for about two weeks and then switch to the next one in the series and you’ll be on your way to a healthy, beautiful smile!
Damon Braces
Damon is a state-of-the-art system designed to help the teeth move comfortably and super efficiently in order to minimize the time of treatment. This treatment is offered here at Dental Care Orthodontics.
Most braces use elastics or active clips that bind arch wires in place which can slow down treatment and cause discomfort. The Damon system uses tieless braces that don’t need to be “tightened” and are gentle to the teeth. That means both greater comfort for you and less time at the office for follow-up visits.
Damon offers a clear option as well so you can ensure that your braces are barely visible.
Clear Braces
This is a favorable alternative to traditional braces because the braces are nearly invisible and does not interfere with your lifestyle. Having a correctly aligned bite is crucial to your dental health. Most dentists agree that a better bite helps your teeth withstand biting forces so they last a lot longer. Also, a person with a better bite is much less likely to clench and grind their teeth, or to develop symptoms of TMJ such as head, neck and facial pain.
If your bite needs to be corrected, clear braces are a terrific choice. Also known as ceramic or tooth-colored braces, clear braces blend in naturally with your teeth making them barely noticeable. They are much more discreet than metal braces and much less irritating to your mouth. For some people it’s even possible to have the braces on the back of the teeth instead of on the front so that there is absolutely nothing visible!
This treatment is offered at our Sister office at our sister company: Dental Care Stamford. Conveniently located in the same building, just on the third floor. This option is only available for adults. 18+
Porcelain Veneers & Crowns
In addition to having crooked teeth or spaces some people also have very dark teeth, old discolored fillings or other cosmetic issues they want to fix like worn or chipped teeth.
Porcelain veneers and crowns are extremely versatile and quick way to correct a large number of smile problems. They are a fantastic way to fix front teeth. You can also whiten your teeth, close spaces, and create a great smile in general. We can even almost instantly straighten crooked teeth. If your teeth need to be restored and straightened at the same time porcelain veneers are a fantastic option. They are a very fast way to make your smile look nicer without actually moving your teeth. We can do a complete smile make-over in just two weeks!
Porcelain veneers and crowns are offered by the cosmetics team at our sister practice, Dental Care of Stamford which is conveniently located right upstairs.
