• Take care of the teeth and gum tissues through regular and effective brushing and flossing, daily fluoride rinses, and continued regular visits with the family dentist. (Frequency of dental visits depends on the patient's personal oral hygiene and age. Adults in orthodontic appliances should see their dentists every three to four months due to their increased susceptibility to periodontal disease).
• Wear all appliances as requested. If a patient agrees to wear a removable appliance, headgear or elastics (rubber bands) a prescribed number of hours per day, and these are not worn as instructed, then treatment time will take longer and the desired result will not be achieved.
• Take care of the appliances. If you have braces on your teeth, avoid very hard foods such as ice, hard nuts, gum, or sticky foods. Also eat the proper foods from a nutritional standpoints. The body needs the necessary building blocks in order for the teeth to move at an optimum rate. If you have removable appliance, keep it in its container or in a safe place when not in your mouth (never wrap the appliance in a napkin as this is how they are most often thrown away). Be sure to clean removable appliances.
• Keep all appointments and be on time! This is a prerequisite for us to maintain our daily schedule, not to mention it's importance in keeping treatment moving along as planned and avoiding adverse tooth movement.
Breakdown of any of these four responsibilities may render successful treatment impossible. We reserve the right to make additional charges if cooperation is not adequate.
Parent responsibility is primarily supportive and financial. It is important that parents take an active interest in treatment and help maintain patient cooperation. When patients are minors, parents are responsible for their cooperation.
If patient motivation is dwindling, it is a good idea to mention this to one of the staff. Often a progress report or "pep talk" will renew enthusiasm. Many times a change in patient cooperation will dictate a change in the treatment plan. Re-diagnosis may then indicate need for removal of certain teeth and/or maxillofacial surgery in order to obtain the best possible results.
We hope to maintain an open line of communication during treatment. Please feel free to ask questions or give suggestions at any time.
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