Braces Diagram

Separators (Spacers)

Separators are small plastic rings that are placed between your back teeth to create sufficient space prior to fitting your braces. Your teeth may be sore for one to three days after the placement of separators. You may take whatever medication you would normally take for a headache for relief.
Make sure you avoid sticky or chewy foods that may dislodge your separators. Do not floss where the separators are located.
Call the office immediately if the separator comes out so that we may replace it.

Wear your retainer(s) as instructed. Not wearing your retainer may cause the teeth to move from their corrected positions.
Brush your teeth and the retainers after meals. Never use hot water.
Twice a week, soak your retainer in a denture tablet solution using warm water. Follow the instruction on the tablet package.
When you are not wearing your retainer, keep it in the case provided so that it does not get lost or broken.
Never wrap the retainer in a napkin; never put it in your pocket; never leave it near pets; never leave it in the car!
Should you lose or break the retainer, or if it does not fit properly, call our office immediately.
Your original retainer(s) are included in your treatment. A separate charge will be assessed for broken or lost retainers.

The RPE is used to widen the upper jaw when it is too narrow.
We normally request that the expander screw is turned once in the morning and once in the evening unless otherwise instructed.
During the active phase of expansion, we will generally see you once per week.
When sufficient expansion has been obtained, the expander will remain in the mouth for three to four months.
A space will develop between your upper two front teeth during widening. This is normal and will usually go away after you stop turning the appliance.
Make sure you brush your teeth and gums well. Clean your RPE with your toothbrush to avoid inflammation or infection of the gum tissues or the roof of your mouth.
There may be some minor discomfort to the teeth, upper jaw, or bridge of nose during the active widening phase. You may take whatever medication you would normally take for a headache for relief about 30 minutes before turning the screw.

A headgear is an appliance used to push the upper teeth/jaw bone back or to pull the upper teeth/upper jaw forward.
Generally, you will be asked to wear your headgear while at home and sleeping, approximately 12 hours per day (continuous wearing is better). You DO NOT need to wear the headgear to school or outside your home.
Do not wear the headgear during active sports because it could cause injuries.
Keep the headgear in the provided case when not wearing it. A separate charge will be assessed for broken or lost headgears.
If one of the metal bands on the back teeth become loose or broken, stop wearing your headgear immediately and call our office.
If the headgear gets bent and does not fit correctly between visits, please call us for an earlier appointment to have it adjusted.

The purpose of the rubber bands is to move the upper and lower teeth so that they fit together better.
Rubber bands are generally worn 24 hours per day (except for eating and brushing), including while you are sleeping, unless otherwise instructed. If you are requested to wear the elastics 24 hours per day, replace them with new ones three to four times per day. If you run out of elastics, please call our office to get more.