Our Team Philosophy for Optimum Care

desk Growth and development frequently play a major role in the success of orthodontic treatment. For this reason, Dr. Cardarelli communicates closely with each patient’s primary care dentist. A complete diagnosis and treatment plan is filed with the primary dental office, and updates are forwarded throughout treatment.

Your First Orthodontic Visit is to conduct an initial examination or screening and our office offers a complimentary exam to all patients. Our entire staff takes pride in offering the latest and best that orthodontics has to offer. Depending upon Dr. Cardarelli’s findings at this examination appointment, a custom plan for treatment is developed that could begin with any one of the following stages for comprehensive orthodontic care:

Observation of Growth and Development – a monitoring phase for children who may not be “dentally” ready for the start of treatment, although some orthodontic problems are evident.

This observation proves most beneficial as Dr. Cardarelli is able to determine when a child’s particular problem should be addressed for maximum benefit with the least time and expense. Observation appointments are offered to patients at no cost.

Interceptive Guidance or Early Interceptive Phase Treatment – Because 75% of a child’s growth occurs before the age of 10, early orthodontic treatment is often beneficial in modifying facial growth to produce an improved, balanced profile and a healthy, properly functioning dentition. Waiting until the teenage years to correct the imbalances of facial bones can result in a less than ideal profile, the removal of permanent teeth, and can be a contributing factor to TMJ or jaw joint difficulties.

Full Phase Treatment – a single phase of treatment, indicated to resolve crowding problems or growth discrepancies. Typically initiated during the late mixed or full dentition when all of the permanent teeth are emerging.

Oral Hygiene Care

Maintaining good hygiene requires special care while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. As you eat, your teeth and appliances collect food. If the food is left in the mouth, especially overnight, a thick plaque forms on the teeth and gums. This plaque causes tooth decay, decalcification (white markings on the teeth), and could lead to gum disease.

Bleeding and swollen gums are usually a sure sign that plaque is not being removed. If your gums are swollen, your teeth will not move into their new positions as easily and you will experience more discomfort. Follow these guidelines for a clean, healthy smile during your orthodontic treatment:

Brush…
….. When You Wake
….. After Eating, Whenever Possible
….. Before you go to Bed (most important of all!)

Your orthodontic appointments are not substitutes for your regular hygiene appointments with your dentist. Continue to see your dentist and hygienist for regular cleanings. Good oral health greatly affects your orthodontic treatment. Poor oral hygiene invites decay and slows treatment down.

Tips for Excellent Oral Hygiene:

Use a toothpaste containing fluoride.
A soft bristled brush is recommended – replace when the bristles get “shaggy”.
Continue to use all hygiene aids (such as waterpics, electric toothbrushes, fluoride rinses, flossing aids) as recommended and include them in your regular routine.
A special fluoride gel may be prescribed if needed.
Use a timer or watch to measure your brushing time, as “more time is needed to effectively clean around appliances. Five minutes is a good amount of time.
Waxed Floss will not fray and a floss threader is helpful in guiding dental floss under wires.
Remember to brush removable appliances that you may be wearing as these also will collect plaque.

Foods to Avoid

While you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, eating habits may need to be modified. Certain foods (in general, hard, brittle and chewy foods) will bend, break or loosen your appliances. Here is a list of foods to avoid and a few tips to make eating some foods easier and/or safer.

DO NOT Eat or Chew:

Ice, hard candy – Ice and hard candy totally destroy braces
Pizza Crust, Bagels – The hard crust and breads bend wires, loosens bands and knocks off brackets
Hard pretzels – Like pizza crust, pretzels can cause serious damage to appliances
Caramel candy, bubble gum – the sticky goo pulls off wires
Popcorn, Nuts – The small kernels and shells can become trapped between the bands and your gums, causing inflammation
Pens and Pencils!!! – Favorite exam time food – BREAK EVERYTHING
Lemons – They contain a substance that can permanently damage the enamel on your teeth

“DO’s”

Cut raw fruits and vegetables into bite-size pieces. Corn may be eaten if it is sliced from the cob.
Cut all meat off the bone before eating (pork chops, spare ribs, chicken, etc.)
Cut down on sugary foods and carbonated soft drinks.
Brush your teeth after eating whenever possible to remove food that may become caught in appliances.

A “safe” rule of thumb is –
If it’s…. sticky, chewy, gooey, or hard
… you should not eat it.

Keep in mind that this is only a partial list. In general, if you use good judgment when eating, you will experience few problems.

It’s not over, ‘til it’s over ….. Retention

Every patient will go into retention, or a holding phase, when braces are removed. Your retainer(s) will be specially designed to help maintain the improvements that have been achieved. Shortly after the braces are removed, the teeth are mobile and can shift. The teeth will need support, and your cooperation in wearing retainers as directed is imperative.

Tips for your retention phase and/or retainers are:

Your retainers should be worn as prescribed. They can be removed for special circumstances as indicated when you receive them.
Certain teeth may feel pressure and be tender for several days after a retainer is adjusted. This is normal as minor adjustments to the bite are in progress.
Brush your retainer with toothpaste and cool water. A fresh and clean retainer is healthier and more comfortable. Rinsing with a mouthwash can freshen its taste.
Your retainer is durable, but needs “tender loving care” in order to do its job.
Please do not bend the wires. Excessive flipping of the retainer with the tongue causes premature wire breakage.
Store it in your retainer case when not in use. Do not leave it where it might be damaged, thrown away, bent, broken or played with by small children or pets. YES, DOGS DO EAT RETAINERS.
Keep your retainer away from heat or hot water. Unfortunately, plastic can warp or distort, making the retainer not fit properly.
A damaged or lost retainer may have to be replaced.
If for some reason you cannot wear your retainer as suggested call the office for a check or adjustment appointment.

As we grow and mature, everything undergoes changes. Some minor shifting and settling of our teeth is expected. Proper retainer wear will keep these changes to a minimum.

Tips for Dealing with Special Concerns

While eating and pronouncing certain words may be difficult at first, most patients are able to adapt in a few days to a week.

Orthodontic treatment becomes easier once you …

Learn How to Ease Discomfort

It is normal to experience discomfort of the teeth and gums from certain aspects of your orthodontic care. A pain reliever taken with a glass of water may help relieve some of the discomfort. Here are several tips in dealing with discomfort:

SORENESS … can be expected when you are fitted for braces and after regular adjustments. To help ease discomfort, frequently rinse your mouth with ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and eat only soft foods until your mouth feels better.

another office picture WIRES THAT STICK OUT … can hurt! If you have problems with wires and cannot press them back into place, try covering them with wax. Call our office and schedule an appointment to adjust or repair the problem.

BROKEN PARTS … are also a signal to call us. If you break a part of your braces and cannot make an appointment right away, try to remove any loose pieces, push broken parts out of the way or cover the problem with wax.

Keep all scheduled appointments with Dr. Cardarelli. Missing appointments can delay progress toward your goal of a beautiful smile. Follow all instructions carefully. Not wearing auxiliary appliances (i.e.: headgear, elastics, etc.) as prescribed will hinder treatment and compromise the result. Cooperation is the key to success.