Talkin' elastics with Dr. Orchin

The purpose of elastics (rubber bands) is to apply a force on selected teeth to help them “fit” better and correct your bite. Elastics can move teeth in a way that cannot be done with braces alone. Failure to wear your elastics, as instructed, will result in treatment running
longer than expected. It may also affect the finished orthodontic treatment result.

When you first start wearing the elastics, they may make your teeth sore. If you continue wearing them as instructed, that discomfort will go away in a couple of days.

If you break or lose a rubber band, replace immediately. Always carry a spare pack of rubber bands in your pocket. You will be asked to wear your elastics either full-time or every night.

FULL-TIME WEAR

Rubber bands are to be worn 24-hours per day, except when brushing your teeth, unless stated otherwise by Dr. Orchin or your orthodontic assistant. Please wear your elastics all the time. Remove them only for brushing and flossing your teeth. Insert new elastics after brushing and flossing. Try to keep fresh elastics on your teeth
at all times (they lose their force after several hours).

NIGHT-TIME WEAR

Please wear your elastics every night (sleep in them). Now let’s go back and repeat that together – wear your elastics every night (not some nights).

If you lose your elastics or run out, just call our office or email us and we can send you more.

Why the big deal? Because these elastics are your ticket to the fastest, most ideal result you can get. Unfortunately, they just don’t work unless they are worn as prescribed.

By wearing your elastics as instructed, you will be doing your part in keeping your orthodontic treatment on schedule.

Common Elastic Patterns

The importance of retainers, from Orchin Orthodontics

OK, you've completed your orthodontic work and you’ve revealed your new smile. You are proud and excited and then Dr. Orchin presents you with a retainer to wear.

What is the deal?

Every orthodontic treatment plan at Orchin Orthodontics includes a retention phase. Dr. Orchin’s years of experience has taught him that retention is one of the most important phases of orthodontic treatment. Orchin Orthodontics has learned that wearing your retainer(s) as directed is the most important factor in maintaining your orthodontic result. Dr. Orchin recommends that all of our patients keep their retainer (forever) and wear it once a week even after they are released from our care. If a removable retainer breaks or needs adjustments, simply give us a call at 202-684-9227.

Most of Dr. Orchin’s patients have a fixed lower lingual retainer (also called a permanent retainer) to maintain the lower teeth. Many patients ask us why we do not remove it. Here is the answer; it is the best insurance plan you can buy. Teeth remain mobile and do tend to drift forward as we age and the lower lingual is a great tool for preventing that. It is important to brush and floss as directed as well as maintain regular hygiene visits with the general dentist. The patient’s general dentist will monitor the lower lingual and advise if it needs to be removed or replaced.

As always, we welcome our patients back anytime to have their retainer(s) adjusted or require a visit for any reason. The best reason to return to Orchin Orthodontics? Simply to say “hello” and share your beautiful smile with us or bring a friend or family member here for treatment.

Ask Dr. Orchin: Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

Over the years I have heard many responses from adults when they find out that their orthodontic treatment plan includes braces. I have heard everything from “Wearing braces will make me look too young to be taken seriously in my career” to “There is no way I will wear braces.” More often than not adults are especially disappointed when they hear that we can not correct their alignment with Invisalign treatment. While Invisalign is a phenomenal product that we often use, it does have limitations and is not indicated for certain treatment plans.

Here is what I have discovered after over the last 9 years: the only regret I ever hear after orthodontic treatment is complete is “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” When we give the treatment plan which includes the length of time in braces, patients' initial response is “that long”? All our patients feel that way and what they have found is, the time goes by quickly and is a small price to pay for a beautiful smile that will last.

The best news is that we now offer SureSmile, which means that we can move teeth more efficiently in less time. In fact, most patients are able to subtract 1/3 of their treatment time when they are SureSmile patients. That means the average time in treatment for adults is only 10-14 months. I don’t know about you, but I would definitely spend a year in braces so that I could enjoy all of the benefits of a beautiful smile. A smile is the universal sign of happiness and confidence. It is something that most of us give willingly but many are too shy to share a smile due to crooked teeth.

As an orthodontic professional, I simply can not see any reason not to improve your smile if you are self-conscious about it. Yes, there are other reasons to have orthodontics, which include improving a malocclusion (bad bite) and having periodontal issues that are corrected by having the teeth in a more favorable position. These reasons should not be overlooked and are in fact, the most common reasons for an adult to be referred to us for orthodontic treatment. If you already have an underlying condition that would improve with orthodontics, there is no excuse not to give yourself the gift of improved health. A beautiful smile is just an additional bonus.

Ever wonder why we all love our jobs at Orchin Orthodontics? That is an easy answer: we help people smile every day. How many people can say that their job is to make people smile? What a wonderful job we all have. Let us give you a smile today. Call today for your consultation appointment and be sure to ask us about SureSmile.