Braces During Coronavirus (3 EASY READ STEPS TO FOLLOW)

Braces during coronavirus bring a lot of issues. One of those issues is the continuation of health. People undergoing medical treatments will need to continue. Doctors and medical staff adjust their protocols to suit the times. In this time, we must self-isolate or social distance from the wider public. Those undergoing orthodontic treatment will find a few hurdles to climb. But no real changes. Your orthodontist will remain open for emergency and essential treatments only. In this post, we’ll take you through 3 easy steps to consider when wearing braces during coronavirus. Let’s get cracking.

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Table of Contents

Braces During Coronavirus

Visiting The Office During Coronavirus.

You’ll find each individual orthodontist will have in place a bespoke protocol for their office. General rules apply for all medical industries and orthodontics is no exception. The ADA will have issued each practitioner guidelines to follow. Below we break it down for you.

Your local orthodontist will remain open during a lockdown. Things will not be the same. You may only see the orthodontist or the team for essential or emergency treatments. With all other issues chat online or by way of a phone call. Most issues done at home with instruction, others immediately. You will have to wait longer for an appointment in any regard.

Stay in your car until called. Announce your arrival by calling the office. Your orthodontist will have a dedicated COVID number.
Sanitize your hands and put on a face mask.
Answer questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms.
Your temperature taken with a device to your head.
The office will seem empty. There will be a lack of magazines and iPads. Also, coffee and beverages will be missing.
Only the patient and one guardian if needed will be allowed in the office. The guardian may be asked to wait in reception.
You’ll need to stay 6 feet or more from the nearest person.
The waiting times may extend as time is needed for sanitizing the areas the orthodontist needs to work in.
It is important that you do not attend the office if you are suffering symptoms. You’ll have to wait the agreed isolation time before rescheduling the appointment.

Staying in touch with your orthodontist is essential during a lockdown. You’ll be notified when an appointment is necessary. A telephone call may be all that is needed to sort out the issue. You can generally set up a virtual appointment with ease with your provider. Always keep going as per the treatment plan.

Dental Emergencies During Coronavirus

Broken Wire

If you find yourself with a broken wire during lockdown then call your provider. But only after sorting the problem with dental wax. Take some pliers or tweezers and bend the wire so as not to aggravate the gums or inner mouth. Bend it inward and cover it in wax. Your orthodontist will replace the wire at the first opportunity. Your trip to correct it will be always under the above protocol.

Loose brackets

This issue is common. If a bracket is loose or broken, leave the bracket hanging on the wire. DO NOT try to correct it yourself or you risk damaging the wire and the devices will be ineffective.

Aligner Care During Self-Isolation

Your continuing compliance with Invisalign aligners is paramount. Your rubber bands and aligners are a team and should stay that way. It is important to continue as before.

Follow recommendations by washing your hands with soap and water. Do this before and after removing or placing your aligners, retainers, or elastics. These items can also wash or clean in a diluted soap and water solution. An old toothbrush is ideal for this purpose. After cleaning the appliance, rinse in cold water to cut the soapy taste.

Invisalign Treatment During Coronavirus

Invisalign treatment will stay the same during coronavirus. Your orthodontist will see you in emergency or essential mode only. Things like missing attachments or IPR (teeth shaving) will need to happen. As it is part of your treatment design.

The best thing about Invisalign is the remote treatment aspect. Your smartphone will have an app that scans and sends the images for you. Your stay-at-home rule got easier with Invisalign. With this, your doctor will inspect your progress from a desk and correspond with you as per the normal way.

If you lose an aligner, things may be trickier than normal. There would be delays in the replacements arriving from the factory. Then further delays on appointments. Keeping a robust eye on your devices during lockdown is well advised.

Chewies

Your aligners need chewing to fit snug. You will be used to using them by now. Keep progressing as normal. Make sure to use your chewies in the correct way. Bite and hold to seat the aligners in areas where you may see visible space between your tooth and the aligner. For best use, bite into your chewie for 10 seconds and work it around your teeth. Biting and holding for a 10-minute session is key to success.

If you are waiting for your next set of aligners, so keep the old ones on until they have arrived. Again, you may need to wait longer depending on demand. Always keep your aligners clean and avoid all drinks other than water while wearing them. Always remember to wash your hands. Do this before placing and removing your aligners or elastics. Keep an extra eye on aligner care when you have braces during CORONAVIRUS. So you can avoid any interruptions in treatment.

Conclusion

If you have an issue with braces during coronavirus contact your orthodontist before visiting the office. Orthodontic treatment from orthodontist Dr. Gluck. Will be for emergencies only during the coronavirus. At Gluck Orthodontics we aim to achieve the ideal smile without affecting treatment.

2002 Richard Jones Road,

Suite A-200 Nashville, TN 37215

Phone (615)-269-5903

Braces During Coronavirus (3 EASY READ STEPS TO FOLLOW)

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.