Braces – the 1st week

Keen to know what the braces journey is? Well here goes…

STEP 1 – THE CONSULTATION

• Your teeth gets looked at, checked out, evaluated etc to see whether you qualify for braces and the type of treatment you should get. Eg. I only needed lower jaw braces.
• The orthodontist asks you if you know what to expect, why you think you should get braces and if you’re ready for the long journey
• If you’re a braces candidate then you are asked to return the next day or soon after for x-rays and for moulds.

STEP 2 – THE PREP WORK

• Moulds are taking of your teeth to confirm the treatment that will be done
• Several xrays are taken to check for decay, gum health and strength of teeth
• Photographs are taken

STEP 3 – SPACERS

• Before braces are placed on your teeth, spacers are inserted to make room for the orthodontic bands.
• Spacers look like tiny rubber bands (see the light blue colour bands between my back teeth) they get placed between your teeth to make space (obviously, hence the name 'spacers' lol) for the metal band that will go around your teeth which the braces wire will be attached to.
• I was told that the spacers will be painful as it pushes your teeth apart but it really wasn’t painful at all.
• It was a little uncomfortable when they were inserted but it only takes a few seconds and then it’s over.
• You should not floss between the teeth that have the spaces inserted.
• A week or so later you will have to return to remove the spaces and get ready for your braces.

STEP 4 – GETTING YOUR BRACE FACE ON

• This is the day you probably won’t forget, it’s your first day of wearing braces. Before this day arrives, enjoy your last good meaty meal, biltong, popcorn and a long list of things you can no longer eat.
• Your spacers get removed
• Your teeth will thoroughly be clean and dried
• Next a bonding glue will be applied (it tastes unpleasant)
• Bands get added to two or more teeth and brackets on all the other teeth.
• Finally the wire gets attached to each tooth (you can choose the wire colour, I chose plain silver)
• That’s it! Now you’re a brace face! You should then return every 6 weeks for tightening of the wires or if any brackets come off or wires pop off.

Spacers in

First day of wearing braces

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