What Happens When Your Braces Are Put On

It’s completely normal to feel a bit anxious before coming in to get your ceramic or metal braces placed. Well, you can rest easy because you’re in good hands with our Carmel, IN, orthodontists.

This visit is straight to the point and will involve your teeth being thoroughly cleaned before brackets are placed using special bonding glue. Other components like wires and ligature elastics will also be added to complete the process.

Here’s what you can expect when getting braces put on for the first time.

Step-By-Step Procedure

Assuming you haven’t chosen Invisalign® clear aligners or InBrace® to straighten your smile, most bonding appointments follow the same steps. You can expect the entire application to take 1-2 hours to complete so if you’d like to bring headphones along to pass the time, that’s fine!

The steps our orthodontists will take to place your braces include:

• First, your teeth are cleaned completely, and a cheek retractor is put in your mouth to keep your teeth dry and easily visible.
• We’ll then lightly air dry your teeth once more and apply a solution designed to prepare the tooth surface for bonding.
• Once the teeth are properly prepared, we’ll apply bonding cement to the backs of the brackets and place them securely on your teeth.
• The adhesive will be hardened using a curing light so your braces stay on throughout treatment.
• We’ll finish by running the archwire through the braces and hold them in place with elastic bands which come in a variety of colors.

Will It Be Painful?

You shouldn’t feel any pain while we put on your braces. Some pressure, sure, but nothing during the process should cause noticeable discomfort. Generally, it isn’t until about an hour or two after your appointment that you’ll feel tenderness.

Not every patient is the same, however, and some may only notice this when eating. If at any point in the braces procedure you do experience a heightened level of sensitivity or pain, please do not hesitate to let our staff know. We will always do our best to minimize any discomfort and make sure you have an enjoyable time in the chair.

Aftercare Recommendations

It’s totally normal to have some soreness after getting braces. Think about it: your mouth is still adjusting to having brackets and wires involved! Fortunately, there are ways to get through the first few days of having braces on.

If you’re experiencing a mild headache or some jaw discomfort, we recommend trying an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Brands like Advil, Tylenol, or Aleve will work just fine. For numbing certain tender areas in the mouth, an oral anesthetic like Orajel can help.

Dr. Davila and Dr. Hani also recommend that you go easy for those initial days following your visit and only choose foods that are easier to chew. Below are some good choices:

• Yogurt
• Mashed potatoes
• Oatmeal
• Scrambled eggs
• Pasta
• Soft fruits (i.e., bananas, berries, etc.)
• Applesauce
• Smoothies
• Steamed/soft vegetables

Once your teeth and gums aren’t so tender, you can go back to eating more normal, braces-friendly foods. Have questions during this stage? Feel free to ask our Carmel, IN, orthodontics office and we’ll guide you through whatever issue you encounter.

Say Hello to Braces

Feeling nervous ahead of your very first appointment is expected. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Our orthodontists serving Carmel, IN, and Greater Indianapolis have over 25 years of combined experience placing braces for patients of all ages. Call WestClay Orthodontics today at (317) 593-1400 to request an appointment.