Appliance

Care & Use

Headgear & Reverse Headgear

• The more headgear is worn, the faster the teeth move. Dr. Parigini will recommend the correct number of hours. Usually it is worn 12-14 hours a day. If it is not worn enough on one day, it must be made up on the next. Once headgear treatment is started, it must be adhered to continuously in order to produce a successful treatment result. The key to success with your headgear is consistency.
• By using the neck or head as an anchor, the straps produce a steady pressure that gradually aligns the protruding upper and lower jaw with the respective upper and lower teeth. The headgear works by slowing the growth of the prospective jaw, allowing the opposite jaw time to "catch up".
• Headgear has two parts: a soft strap with springs (or loaded straps) attached to it and a metal part called a facebow that fits into the bands or archwires.
• Headgear is not to be worn during meals, active sports or while brushing your teeth.
• Make sure to put the headgear in a place where it won't be damaged or lost. Brush with a soft bristled toothbrush to keep it clean and shiny. The strap can be washed in cold, soapy water.
• Always remove the elastic force before removing the headgear from your mouth to prevent it from springing back and causing injury to the face or eyes.
• If it hurts or breaks, call the office to arrange an appointment to adjust or repair it, as the fit will change with time. If your headgear is lost, or damaged beyond repair, there may be a replacement charge.
• The patient is in total control of this part of the treatment. Dr. Parigini has designed the treatment to proceed in a careful manner and is dependent upon each patient's cooperation for success.

Quad Helix

• The Quad and Bi-Helix expansion appliances are used to widen the upper and/or lower arches and provide space for your teeth to be straightened later.
• Your teeth, cheeks and tongue will be sore for a few days after initial placement. Chewing on soft foods will help work out the soreness. Should the cheek or tongue become irritated, warm salt water rinses should help speed the healing process.
• It may be difficult to pronounce certain words for a short time. Be patient; you will adapt to this change within a few days.
• As expansion occurs, you may notice a space developing between your front teeth. Do not become alarmed; this is normal. Dr. Parigini will close the space as you proceed with treatment.
• Do not play with the appliances using your fingers, pencils etc. Do not flip it with your tongue as this can cause the bands or appliances to become loose or even break.

Herbst Appliance

• The Herbst appliance is used to optimize the conditions for growth of the lower jaw in a forward direction, while at the same time applying pressure to the upper jaw in a backwards direction. It can also be designed to allow expansion to the upper arch. This appliance helps to correct the front-to-back relationship of the upper and lower jaws. The Herbst stays in your mouth for at least 9-12 months.
• The rod and tube that work like a shock absorber actually connect the upper and lower jaw.
• This really doesn't interfere with the opening and closing of your mouth or with eating. You will find side-to-side movement is somewhat restricted. If you open wide, and the appliance comes apart, open wide once more and guide the appliance back together again as you close. The inside of your cheeks may be irritated by the appliance until these areas have built up calluses. Warm salt water rinses will help speed the healing process.
• It is best to sleep on your back as pressure on the cheeks can cause irritation. After the first few days you will find this appliance much easier to wear.

Elastics

• Elastics worn with braces create a gentle, continuous force, used for aligning one arch to the other. If elastics are worn one day and left off the next, your teeth will set up resistance that will slow your progress. Progress will also slow if elastics are worn for a week and then you skip a day. Teeth always move if elastics are worn correctly. The more rubber bands are worn, the faster and more completely the correction will occur. Less than full time wear greatly lengthens treatment time and decreases the chances of a successful outcome. Wearing elastics while eating accelerates tooth movement!
• Elastics should only be removed during brushing and should be changed afterwards. Elastics should also be changed when they break or become discolored.
• Initially, the elastics may feel a little awkward, but you should adapt to it within a few days. It is normal for teeth to become sore during the first 3-5 days of wear. This will subside after a few days. Advil or Children’s Advil will alleviate this type of discomfort more effectively than Tylenol. If rubber band wear is stopped for a significant time and then restarted, some soreness may recur. Increased saliva flow for 2-3 days is also normal with elastic wear.
• Carefully following these instructions and wearing your elastics as prescribed will increase the likelihood of obtaining the desired result.
• If you run out of elastics, please contact Dr. Parigini's office immediately to arrange for pick-up or mailing of additional elastics.

Tooth Separators

• These are little rubber bands, or metal-type clips that are utilized to gain space between your back teeth. They make it easier to fit braces around your back teeth. Depending on your age, they should remain in place 6-14 days.
• Separators will make your teeth tender and slightly sore for 3-5 days. It may feel like you have a piece of meat caught between your teeth. You will need to stay away from chewy, sticky foods as they can pull the separators out (I.e., gum, caramels, taffy, etc.). Ibuprofen, such as Children’s Motrin or Advil, can be taken for the discomfort.
• You will not be able to floss your teeth where there are separators. However, you can brush and WaterPik® as you normally would.