Braces: Adjustments
Once you have braces, frequent follow-up or “adjustment” appointments are needed to check on your progress and make adjustments to the wires and bands as needed. These appointments usually occur every 4 to 6 weeks and take around 20-30 minutes. Skipping these appointments can hinder your progress and prolong the amount of time it is necessary to wear braces.
Typically at these appointments, the elastic bands that hold each bracket to the arch wire will be removed as well as the arch wire. Usually an exam will then take place to check your teeth’s progress. At this point you will be informed if anything new is needed such as chains or rubber bands. If you are due for your routine 6 month cleaning, it will be done at this time as well. The wire is then put back into your brackets and new elastic bands are put on.
There may be some minor soreness or pressure following these visits due to renewed pressure on your teeth; however this discomfort shouldn’t last very long. To deal with any post-adjustment soreness, just return to a “soft food” diet and use the same pain management techniques that you used when you first got your braces.
After your adjustments, if the arch wire pokes your cheek let your orthodontist know. To correct this, the arch wire can be shortened with clippers; otherwise, it could cause sores on the inside of your cheek.
Up Next…Braces: Removal and Retention
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