Do you have crooked, crowded teeth? Do you have an overbite, underbite, or other jaw issues? If so, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our experienced orthodontists in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and surrounding areas. Regardless of your age, it’s never too late to get the smile of your dreams. We offer both orthodontics for adults and children.
Here’s what you need to know about getting metal braces at Parrish Orthodontics.
What to Expect During Your Appointments
During your first appointment, we’ll glue a metal bracket onto each tooth and use elastic O-rings to connect the brackets to the archwire. The archwire is what exerts pressure on your teeth and jaws. Metal braces exert constant but gentle pressure on your teeth, moving them into their final positions.
For future orthodontic visits, we’ll replace the O-rings with new ones. O-rings come in a wide variety of colors, which makes it easy to celebrate holidays, support your favorite sports teams, or show off your personal style.
We’ll also adjust the archwire as needed. For this reason, your metal braces may feel a little tighter after your appointment with us. This discomfort is temporary and a sign that your are working as intended. In the meantime, you may take over-the-counter pain relievers until the discomfort subsides.
How to Take Care of Metal Braces
Continue practicing good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes a time. It also means flossing to remove any plaque or food particles that could be trapped between teeth.
We recommend using a floss threader to help guide the floss under the archwire and between brackets. Check out our daily care instructions for braces to learn more.
Patients with will need to avoid foods that are sticky and/or hard to chew. These foods include caramel, gum, popcorn, and raw apples. Otherwise, you increase your risk of accidentally damaging your metal braces.
Request an Appointment With Us
Our orthodontists in Fort Wayne, IN, and surrounding areas are proud to serve patients in eight locations. They’re also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to welcome you to any of our offices. To request an appointment, please call Parrish Orthodontics or fill out our online contact form.
Want to Learn More About Metal Braces?
Check out some of our blog posts about metal braces.