Prep and Ortho questions

Message

#1 Post by **amy** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:53 am

I'm getting my braces (upper and lower) on April 6. While reading this board I noticed people mentioning getting a cleaning before getting braced. I call my dentist and apparently, yeah it's recommended. Why wouldn't my ortho have given me this information?

Also, I've been experiencing extreme teeth pain which I've brought up to my ortho only to be told to take tylenol. I bring it up to my dentist over the phone and they offer me several suggestions and even offer to look at my teeth when I come in to see if I need a special fluoride toothpaste or rinse.

Am I crazy? Shouldn't it be my ortho, who I am paying so much money too, who offers this advice?

#2 Post by **DrBlur** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:55 am

Hmmm, I didn't know about the cleaning beforehand...my last one was in Jan and my next on scheduled for June, but I get my braces April 2...time to call the dentist!

#3 Post by **gokix** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:01 pm

I've learned that it's definitely a good idea to speak up if you have any questions or concerns about any part of the braces process. Sometimes they forget to tell you something for whatever reason, so it's definitely good to be a smart patient. There was an instance last week when I had my adjustment, and the doc sat down for literally 30 seconds, then had the dental assistant finish up putting on my powerchains. Normally I just leave afterwards, but wanted to ask the ortho some questions before I left. Apparently, no one remembered to give me my elastics before I left! So had I not touched base with him, I would've gone a whole month without elastics to correct my bite.

#4 Post by **DrBlur** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:08 pm

Hmmm, my insurance won't cover the cleaning since it hasn't been 6 months yet...I only had a cleaning 2 months ago so I think I'll be OK, I'll just continue to brush and floss really well until I get braced April 2

#5 Post by **amy** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:12 pm

Yeah I ran into that problem. April 6 is the soonest my insurance will cover a cleaning - the same day I get braced. So I guess I'll be taking the day off work to deal with all things dental.

BTW...really not looking forward to an hour cleaning and then 2 hours in the ortho chair. *shudders*

#6 Post by **DrBlur** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:16 pm

^Yeah I wouldn't look forward to that either!

I'm going to stand pat since I just got cleaned 2 1/2 months ago

#7 Post by **felicia** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:00 pm

I don't think is the orthodontist's job to tell you about the cleaning or to try figure out the cause of your pain since you are not braced yet. Anyway, the cleaning part is a personal choice that people make, to have that peace of mind that the brackets and the bands are glued on freshly cleaned teeth.
You are paying the ortho so much money to have straight teeth, perfect bite and everything that orthodontics include. It is your dentist's job to give you advice about cleaning, and pain....especially when you are not even braced.

#8 Post by **DrBlur** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:02 pm

When I called my dentist, they were surprised I thought of it...

#9 Post by **Kitagirl** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:50 pm

I think I was supposed to, yeah, get a cleaning and a "once over" before getting the braces on, and then a cleaning every 6 months during braces.

#10 Post by **jambo532** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 5:11 pm

I didn't get a cleaning right before braces but I am scheduled to get on on april 13th. My dentist said it is fine either way it just takes a little longer with braces on.
www.allbraced.blogspot.com

#11 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:17 pm

In general, patients don't require cleanings before braces are placed. Orthodontics should not be started until all cavities have been filled (unless to be extracted later for treatment) and the periodontal condition should be satisfactory. If these conditions are met, a patient's dental health is generally satisfactory to begin treatment.

Cleanings are still possible while braces are on, and should actually be a part of good hygiene practice while in orthodontic treatment.

As felicia mentioned, there is team work between your dentist and orthodontist. Both of them have defined roles and should have an open line of communication with their patient and each other.

#12 Post by **macgirl4ever** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:57 am

I agree. In fact, I changed dentists so that my dentist and orthodontist could more easily communicate (and share charts). It has cut down on how much I have to pay out of pocket for xrays and I like my new dentist even better than old dentist. I chose to do this after my old dentist sold me Fluoridex. When I asked if my orthodontist also recommended this, he supposedly checked my chart and said yes. Fast forward 6 weeks. My teeth are a disgusting shade of yellow and I'm sitting in the ortho chair with a very unhappy ortho who thinks I either lied and am a big smoker or have a horrible case of fluorosis and has no idea I had been given prescription fluoride.

#13 Post by **drrick** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:27 am

felicia wrote:I don't think is the orthodontist's job to tell you about the cleaning or to try figure out the cause of your pain since you are not braced yet. Anyway, the cleaning part is a personal choice that people make, to have that peace of mind that the brackets and the bands are glued on freshly cleaned teeth.
You are paying the ortho so much money to have straight teeth, perfect bite and everything that orthodontics include. It is your dentist's job to give you advice about cleaning, and pain....especially when you are not even braced.

It is a team effort.