Pre-treatment Information for the Patient

The patient should continue to see his/her dentist every 3 to 6 months during treatment for dental check-ups. One should follow their dentist’s (or oral surgeon’s) recommendation regarding the wisdom teeth. We highly recommend wearing an orthodontic mouth guard when playing sports to avoid damage to teeth and braces. Loose or broken braces/expander(s) that do not cause discomfort may be fixed at the regular appointment with minor treatment delay. Late arrival may limit what treatment we can provide, and we may need to reschedule.

It is understood that the patient is not pregnant and does not need to be pre-medicated for any dental procedures, orthodontic adjustments of the braces or any accidental bleeding of the mouth. If this is not the case, the patient should let us know.

Orthodontic braces are made from stainless steel, which contains nickel and chromium. The patient should make sure they are not allergic to any of the above materials BEFORE they commence with treatment. If an allergic reaction occurs, one should go to the nearest emergency room immediately. It is also vital that they inform our staff of any change in their health and prescribed or non-prescribed medications.

Patients have many treatment options open to them, including no treatment, treatment without extractions, extractions, non- surgical expansion therapy, jaw surgery and many others. Our doctors and staff will work with the patient to understand the benefits and risk of any procedure prior to implementing a treatment plan. As with any dental procedure, braces have potential risks and complications, including, but not limited to: cavities and inflammation of the gums due to poor oral hygiene; root canal therapy on weak, injured or restored teeth; root resorption due to treatment or unknown reasons; and joint (TMJ) problems due to existing conditions, trauma or other unknown reasons. Impacted or ankylosed teeth, or other dental conditions, may compromise the final results.

We will explain the expected results of the treatment option the patient chooses, but such expectations cannot be guaranteed. The patient’s compliance with home care instructions is vital throughout the course of treatment. The length of the treatment varies from patient to patient, and general health problems such as bone, blood or endocrine disorders and certain prescription and non-prescription drugs (including bisphosphonates) can affect their orthodontic treatment. Missed appointments and poor oral hygiene may lengthen treatment as well as negatively impact the final results.

If, at any point, the patient wishes to discontinue treatment, and they still have orthodontic appliances on their teeth, we recommend they be removed. Leaving braces or expander(s) on the teeth without proper oral hygiene and regular monitoring by a trained dental professional can cause decalcification of tooth enamel, gum inflammation, tooth deterioration and other oral conditions with more frequency and severity than would occur if the braces were removed. Treatment can be resumed at a later date, but it might require modification of the original treatment plan, and would require starting over from the beginning of such a plan. The patient should talk to one of our doctors about the risks and complications of discontinuing therapy in the middle of the orthodontic treatment.

All procedures at Fastbraces® require full cooperation. Additional fees may be involved in individual cases. Some cases may require additional treatment. Nothing herein is intended to be nor shall be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future satisfaction or success of any orthodontic service, a statement of opinion as to the quality of orthodontic services or a claim of superior orthodontic skills. Visits referenced do not include the initial exam or visits to the patient’s dentist.