LightForce Braces
One of the many options we offer at Brown-Saito Orthodontics for customizing your orthodontic treatment is with LightForce technology in Vancouver, Washington. These 3D-printed braces are recommended for adult and teen patients alike and are custom designed to fit your mouth perfectly for a more efficient, discreet and comfortable treatment. Want to know if LightForce braces are the right choice for you or your child? Call our office at 360-256-7220 to schedule your visit with Dr. Constance Brown or Dr. Traci Saito to learn more.
One Size Fits One™
Unlike many orthodontic procedures, every step of your LightForce treatment plan is designed with your unique tooth shape, jawline and facial structure in mind, all the way down to your custom-made, 3D-printed brackets. The fully integrated digital platform also allows our orthodontists to accurately monitor your orthodontic progress, resulting in more efficient and faster treatment. You can spend less time at our office and more time doing the things you love!
Benefits of LightForce include:
- Efficient Treatment — These braces fit exactly to each tooth for a more efficient treatment process.
- Beautiful Results — Advanced bracket technology and digital treatment planning result in an ideal end product.
- Comfortable Fit — Digital scanning lends itself to perfectly-fitting braces.
Eating With Braces
Don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.
Foods to Avoid With Braces:
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
- Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
- Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Foods You Can Eat With Braces:
- Dairy — cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
- Breads — tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
- Grains — pasta, cooked rice
- Meats/poultry — cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
- Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans, thin raw carrot sticks
- Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice, apple slices
- Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake
Soreness Caused From Braces and Appliances
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal, and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).
If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also common for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. Our orthodontists will give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need more wax, please let us know.
Loose Teeth
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don’t worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.
Loose Wires and Bands
The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.
You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.
Take Care of Your Appliances
Damaged or broken appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer or other appliances prescribed by Dr. Saito or Dr. Brown
Playing Sports with Braces
Game, Set, Match — we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let our orthodontists and team in Vancouver, Washington, know which sport you are playing, and we will provide you with the appropriate mouth guard for your orthodontic appliances and the sport you participate in.
In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater. We provide an emergency after-hours contact number on our office voicemail.
Let’s Discuss Your Orthodontic Goals
Click or call to schedule a free consultation to see how we can improve your smile.