Braces and Invisalign Invisalign

Braces Information

Braces Instructions

Candy and foods that are sticky and chewy, or hard and crunchy, create the biggest problems for kids and adults wearing braces or retainers.

Therefore, in general:

  • Nothing hard
  • Nothing sticky
  • No big mouthfuls
  • No biting into anything hard

Specific Foods to Avoid

  • Taffy
  • Hard candy
  • Sticky candy
  • Popcorn
  • Peanuts
  • Ice
  • Taco chips
  • Whole apples and carrots
  • Hard French bread crust and rolls
  • Spare ribs
  • Corn-on-the-cob
  • Bagels
  • Pizza crusts
  • Carrots (uncooked)
  • Doritos™
  • Pretzels
  • Plain chocolate candy
About Us About Us About Us

Crunchy, chewy, sticky, gooey foods can damage your braces and lengthen treatment time. AND, your help and cooperation in following your doctor's instructions about what to eat and how to keep your braces in good shape lead to great results!

What to Do If There is an Emergency

We are always available to accommodate to any orthodontic emergency, should one ever occur.

Our emergency number can be accessed on our after hours message by calling our main office number, (517) 263-1563 after business hours, and on weekends, so please be assured we are on call 7 days a week.

Any severe or unusual pain, accidents, or trauma to the teeth or braces are considered orthodontic emergencies so please do not hesitate to call us if any of these occur.

Other less severe situations may be alleviated at home until they are seen the next business day, but if you have any doubts, please do not hesitate to call. Some of these may be a loose band or bracket, a poking wire, or a missing elastic or metal tie.

Emergencies can be taken care of at home temporarily. Here are some examples of what you can do:

Poking Wire

If your cheeks, tongue or lips are sore from a sharp piece of your braces, place a small amount of soft dental wax that was given to you at your bracketing appointment and call us the next day. If you don't have wax, a little piece of wet cotton will also help until we can see you.

Loose Band or Bracket

If anything feels loose or broken, keep any parts that detach from your braces and carefully put them in a zip-lock bag. Call us during business hours and bring your broken pieces to the repair appointment.

Missing Elastic or Metal Tie

If you notice any of your braces are missing the ties that hold the wire in place, if the wire is loose or anything feels different, please call us during business hours for an appointment.

Pain

After the placement of your braces, or after a wire adjustment, you may experience mild to moderate discomfort while chewing and biting. This discomfort will disappear in two to four days. Any over the counter pain medication that you take for a headache will help. If pain is severe or does not disappear with your usual analgesics, please call immediately for an emergency appointment.

Lost Retainers

If you lose your retainers, please call us the next business day for an appointment to make you some new ones.

Invisalign

Invisible Braces for Adults and Teens in Adrian, MI

Since Invisalign is nearly invisible, you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. Dr. Weeden is a certified Invisalign treatment provider. She has treated many cases with this leading appliance system. In addition, she co-teaches an Invisalign course to University students.

Invisalign – A “braceless” alternative to traditional metal braces!

Have you ever wished for a straighter, healthier smile, but not looked forward to all the metal wires and bands that often go along with braces? Dr. Weeden can make your dream of having a new smile come to life. Dr. Weeden is a certified Invisalign orthodontist, giving patients a “clearly” effective and incredibly comfortable way to wear braces! To learn more about Invisalign and to see if you or your children are candidates for Invisalign treatment, contact our office today to schedule a new patient exam. For more information, please see Invisalign's website.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign uses a series of customized, clear aligners to straighten teeth faster and with fewer office visits than traditional braces. Thousands of orthodontists in the United States and Canada use Invisalign braces to accurately and effectively treat their patients.

Why Consider Invisalign

People everywhere are beginning to experience the benefits of Invisalign treatment. Here’s why people just like you are choosing Invisalign over traditional braces; when this is a good alternative:

  1. With Invisalign you can have a straighter, healthier smile without all the noticeable wires and brackets of traditional braces.
  2. Invisalign aligners are removable making it easy for you to enjoy the foods you love without worrying about breaking or bending your brackets and wires.
  3. You can also remove your Invisalign aligners to brush and floss regularly.
  4. You don't need to change anything about your current lifestyle! With Invisalign you can continue participating in day-to-day activities without changing a thing. Invisalign is great for professionals, athletes, brides, and parents.
  5. Office visits and checkups are easy, quick, and painless. Fewer appointments are required throughout your entire treatment.

How Does Invisalign Work?

When you begin your Invisalign treatment you will receive several sets of custom fit aligners. Each set of aligners is worn for one to two weeks. After one to two weeks you can switch your aligners with the next set and continue straightening your teeth. Over time you will notice changes in the alignment of your teeth and in just a few months you will have a straighter, healthier smile!