Failure to keep your teeth and brace What if my brace breaks during

clean will lead to permanent scarring of treatment? PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

your teeth as shown in the picture below. You will need to contact the practice for
an emergency appointment for the brace ORTHODONTIC
to be repaired. Repeated breakages will
slow down the treatment and increase TREATMENT
the overall treatment time. As a rule,
every time the brace is broken 1 - 2
months is added on to the normal
treatment time of 6 - 24 months. If you
repeatedly break the brace, treatment
may be stopped, leaving your teeth in a
worse position than when you started.
What happens at the end of
Having orthodontic treatment to improve treatment?
the appearance of the teeth will be point- Your teeth will try to return to their original
less if such scarring is allowed to occur. positions. In order to prevent this you
Further information can be given to you will be fitted with retaining appliances.
These may be worn full time at first and
about other rare complications. eventually worn part-time.
Will I still need to see my regular den- How successful is orthodontic
tist? treatment?
Yes. It will be important you still have This very much depends on your
check-ups with your regular dentist commitment to the treatment. As a
throughout orthodontic treatment so that general rule, patients who co-operate well
your teeth can be checked for decay. with treatment get good results, whilst
those who do not co-operate well, get
Will I still be able to play contact poor results. Unless retainers are worn in
sports? the longer term some settling and growth
Yes, but it is recommended you wear a changes may occur after treatment.
gumshield when doing so. This will also
be the case if you enjoy riding a bicycle, If you have any further questions that
roller-skating, or skateboarding. You will you feel you would like to ask, then
please write them down and bring
be advised about this.
them with you to your next appointment.
What if I play a musical instrument? It is important you fully understand
If you play a wind instrument, particularly what is involved in having orthodontic
the flute or a brass instrument, then a treatment before you decide to go
fixed brace may make it more difficult. ahead.
This leaflet has been produced with guidance from the Plain English Campaign
You will need to discuss this with your and British Dyslexia Association to make it easier for you to read BRITISH ORTHODONTIC SOCIETY
music teacher. Copyright © BOS 2003 British Orthodontic Society 12 Bridewell Place London EC4V 6AP
Registered Charity No 1073464 www.bos.org.uk
If you are thinking of having orthodontic What types of braces are there? If teeth need to be extracted, who will
treatment you may have some questions There are those which can be removed do this?
you would like answered first. for cleaning, known as removable braces, Your own dentist usually does this.
an example of which can be seen below.
What is orthodontic treatment? Is it painful?
Orthodontic treatment usually involves Having the brace fitted is not painful.
the wearing of braces (removable or However, it is common to have slightly
fixed) often the extraction of teeth, and tender teeth for 3 - 5 days after each
very occasionally jaw surgery. fitting and adjustment appointment.
Why might I need orthodontic
treatment? How often will I need an appointment?
There are 3 main reasons for having Once your brace has been fitted you will
orthodontic treatment: need frequent and regular appointments
• To improve the appearance of the for it to be adjusted.
teeth and face. The second type of brace is fixed to the
• To improve the health of the teeth and Will the brace affect what I can eat?
teeth and cannot be removed for In order to prevent damage to both your
gums. cleaning. An example of a fixed brace
• To improve function i.e. to make it teeth and brace, you will need to:
can be seen in the following picture:
easier to eat.
• Avoid eating toffees, boiled sweets,
The pictures below show the teeth of sugared chewing gum, chocolate bars,
a patient before and after orthodontic etc.
treatment. • Avoid drinking fizzy drinks (including
diet drinks) and excessive amounts of
fruit juice.
• Take care eating hard foods which
might damage the brace such as
crunchy apples, crusty bread, etc.
Cut them up first.
When will the brace be fitted? Will orthodontic treatment damage my
This depends very much on the teeth teeth?
being present in the mouth and the stage It is important you brush your teeth well,
of growth of the face and jaws. three times per day and use a fluoride
toothpaste. A fluoride mouthrinse should
How long will treatment take? also be used last thing at night, after
Treatment with braces usually takes toothbrushing, to further protect the teeth.
between 6 - 24 months to complete.