We understand that starting orthodontic treatment is a big step, whether it’s for you or your child. During the initial consultation, we cover a lot of information, but it’s completely normal for new questions to come up later—especially after braces, attachments or aligners are placed. To help, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions we hear from patients and parents.
How long will the discomfort last?
Some soreness or tenderness is also common, especially after adjustments. This usually lasts a few days to a week as your teeth and gums adapt to the pressure. Over-the-counter pain relievers and eating a soft diet can help ease any discomfort.
What should I know about my color ties—when can they be changed and what to do if one comes off?
You can change your color ties at each adjustment appointment, typically every 8–12 weeks. If a tie comes off, remember that its main purpose is to keep the wire securely in place. If wires become pokey, please notify us.
Do we have to come in for every broken bracket?
For broken brackets, you don’t always need to come in immediately unless it’s causing pain or affecting your treatment. However, we do ask that you contact our office so we can guide you on the appropriate next steps.
What should I know about build-ups—why they are needed, how long will they stay on, and can they be adjusted or removed?
Orthodontic build-ups are small bite blocks placed on certain teeth to prevent the mouth from fully closing. They help correct the bite and protect the braces and teeth from damage. At first, build-ups may feel strange and can make chewing a little difficult, but these issues are only temporary.
Build-ups usually stay in place until the bite improves. With normal chewing, they may gradually wear down, but we will remove them completely once they have served their purpose. While they may feel inconvenient at first, they play an important role in your orthodontic treatment. Removing or reducing them too soon can delay treatment progress.
Why is there more space between the teeth now, then before treatment started?
It’s completely normal to notice small gaps between your teeth during orthodontic treatment. Some appliances are used to help create space. This is often seen first with gaps created between the teeth. As braces or aligners gently move your teeth into their proper positions, temporary spaces may appear. These gaps are part of the process, and we will close them as treatment progresses.
What should I know about my child’s appliance—how long will it be needed, how to turn the key, eating with it, what to do if the arms come out, and how it may affect speech?
Most orthodontic appliances are worn for about 12 months, though the exact timeframe depends on the severity of the orthodontic problem. It usually takes a couple of weeks to adjust to the appliance, and it’s normal for eating, speaking, or biting down to feel challenging at first. These difficulties will improve as your child adapts.
For guidance at home, visit the Life with Braces section of our website. There you will find helpful videos, including how to turn the key on an expander and how to place the arms back into a Herbst appliance, if they come apart.
Is the "sanding" procedure necessary for treatment and does it hurt?
Interproximal reduction, often called IPR or “sanding,” is a common procedure used to create very small spaces between teeth. This helps alleviate crowding and can correct size differences if the teeth in one arch don’t match the other.
The amount of enamel removed is extremely minimal and completely safe. The procedure is usually quick, painless, and does not require numbing.
What should I know about my elastics—how often and how long to wear them, when to change them, their purpose, why they break, and where to get the correct size?
Elastics are an important part of orthodontic treatment for bite correction. They work by applying gentle, consistent pressure to move the teeth and jaws into the correct position. Elastics should be worn full-time—including while eating and sleeping—unless your orthodontist gives you different instructions. Consistent wear is the key to keeping treatment on track.
Most patients wear elastics for several months, depending on their treatment plan. To keep them effective, elastics should be changed at least once a day, or more often if they break or lose their stretch.
For the best results, always use elastics provided by our office—we’ll make sure you have the correct size and strength. (Elastics purchased online may not be appropriate for your treatment.)
It’s normal for elastics to break occasionally. Replace with a fresh set as needed. (If they break while eating, you can replace them when you are finished.)
What should I know about caring for aligners—what can you drink, how to clean them, what to do if a tray doesn’t fit or is lost, and the purpose of the glue dots?
While wearing aligners, only plain water should be consumed. Other beverages can stain the trays or increase the risk of tooth decay. To keep your teeth and aligners clean, be sure to brush both after every meal to prevent bacteria buildup.
The small glue dots on the teeth, called attachments, help the aligners guide the teeth into the ideal position. If an attachment comes off, please text our office a photo so Dr. Bergdoll or Dr. Travis can decide if it needs to be replaced right away or if it can wait until a future visit.
If an aligner isn’t fitting properly, do not switch to the next aligner without contacting our office. Often, the issue is caused by the edge of the tray rolling slightly, making it difficult to seat fully on the teeth.
In the case of a lost aligner, notify our office immediately so we can guide you on the next steps.