Your functional dental appliance has been specially produced from models of your teeth. IT ONLY FITS YOU. The purpose or function of the appliance is to achieve orthopedic correction -- that is, straight (ortho) bone (pedic).
The appliance is activated each time you move your jaw, swallow or talk - this creates gentle pressure on your teeth, arches and jaws. It fits loosely in the mouth to allow you to close your jaws in a new relationship. This will influence the way your cheeks, lips and tongue now function and create a change in your growth pattern.
It will be difficult to speak clearly and your mouth will feel "strange" during the first several days you wear the appliance. Practice talking by reading a book out loud, for example, to overcome these difficulties as quickly as possible.
Avoid biting into the appliance or flipping it with your tongue.
Your teeth will be sore and you may experience excess saliva during the first few days of wear. This problem should disappear in a short period of time. To reduce difficulty during the first week of wear, we suggest you eat soft foods (eggs, cereals or soup) and avoid "chewy" foods such as meat and bread.
Your appliance should be worn at all times, even when you sleep, except when playing active games. Remember to keep your lips together and breathe through your nose. This will allow the appliance to function more effectively. Should you experience any soreness of gums, cheeks, lips or tongue, or if a wire bends or breaks, DO NOT attempt to adjust the appliance, as this should only be done in our office.
Your appliance should be cleaned by holding it i the palm of your hand under running water. Scrub it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste (or soap) and return it to your mouth immediately. The appliance should be cleaned after each meal and at the end of each day.
Always store you appliance in your carrying case and never wrap it in a napkin or put it in your pocket. It is fragile and breakage could result in additional expense and EXTEND YOUR WEARING TIME.
Do not allow pets such as cats and dogs to sleep in the same room with you. (Until your tongue gets used to having something new in your mouth, it may try to pop the appliance out, especially during sleep.) If pets are in the same room they tend to locate the appliance and chew it up. This results in a costly appliance re-make charge.
Your functional appliance is designed to allow your mouth and face to correctly develop in harmony. However, it may be necessary to place fixed appliances (braces) on your teeth at a later date. We want to totally correct your malocclusion,that is, bad (mal) bite (occlusion) so as to achieve a healthy bite and warm smile.
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