Removable Appliances Fitting

Artiste Studios is happy to assist you throughout your treatment in order to ensure a lifelong positive outcome of your investment in your smile. Now that you are well on your way to your desired outcome, we have provided you with some important instructions.

The appliance should be worn at all times as indicated by your clinician.

Fitting and removing the appliance

■ Fit the appliance in your mouth from one side to the other, using your thumbs, and finally check it is fitting tightly.

■ To remove it from your teeth, use your fingers towards the back of the appliance.

What to Expect After your Appliance is Fitted

Sensitivity and Tenderness

■ It is somewhat normal to feel some discomfort and tenderness in the teeth and gums over the next few days as they adapt.

■ The discomfort is usually worse on eating, and a soft diet is advised.

■ These symptoms are temporary and usually respond very well to over-the-counter pain medications if necessary.

■ If ulcers develop, we advise rinsing with salt water to encourage healing.

Eating

■ Minimise discomfort by starting with easy but nutritious food to eat. Examples of a softer diet can include fish, eggs, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, soups and yoghurt.

■ Remove your appliance when eating or drinking anything apart from water.

■ Make sure the appliance is placed safely into its protective plastic case.

■ Brush and floss your teeth before refitting your appliance.

Avoiding Cavities

■ Avoid sugars and sticky carbohydrates in general, specifically sweets, toffees, dried fruit etc.

■ Avoid drinking fizzy drinks and excessive amounts of fruit juice.

■ Where possible, limit such intake to mealtimes, and follow up with cheese or fruit.

Speech

■ Speech is a very complicated and dynamic process involving all parts of the airway and mouth. Fortunately, people are very adaptable and speech can often sound very good even at the time of delivery. If your speech does not sound right to you, give it some time and normal body adaptation will resolve your concerns.

■ Practise reading aloud as much as possible. Be patient. Do not focus undue attention on the process.

■ Speech problems are usually overcome within 2-5 days after the appliance has been fitted.

■ You may have increased salivation and find yourself swallowing more often when you have the appliance in. This is quite normal and will quickly pass.

Keeping your teeth and appliance clean

■ Brush your teeth and the appliance after each meal to avoid accumulating debris that can cause gum inflammation.

■ Take the appliance out in order to do your brushing and use a fluoride toothpaste.

■ Once a week, you may like to place the appliance to soak with water and a commercially available effervescent tablet. Follow the instructions.

Avoiding breaking/losing your appliance

■ Always keep the appliance in the small hard plastic case provided, when you have to take it off for eating or brushing your teeth.

■ Appliances are meant to stay in your mouth or in their case. They should not be in your pocket, bag, pencil case or in a piece of tissue!

■ It is usually in this way that appliances become distorted and damaged or lost. Unfortunately when this happens, you will need to come in to get a new appliance made and fitted.

Sports

■ You should wear a gum shield instead of your removable appliance when you play contact sports. Special gum shields to fit over appliances are available.

Music

■ If playing a wind or brass instrument, you may need to adapt your lips when practising and should discuss this with your clinician.

If you have any other questions, please contact the practice and we will be happy to help.