Orthodontic Treatments for Beautiful Smiles
Orthodontic treatment can help correct several dental conditions, including malocclusion, overbite, underbite, crossbite, deep bites, crooked teeth, and other problems. At Dr. Gallois and Dr. Mathew Rhee Orthodontics, you will receive the highest quality of care in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. We offer traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligner therapy.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces produce high-quality results, can be fun and colorful with bands that are changed at each visit, and are very affordable. Metal braces are made of stainless steel and are attached to the outside of the patient’s teeth. These braces are designed to allow the orthodontist to move the patient’s teeth in a three-dimensional manner.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces work in the same manner metal braces do. They are clear braces attached to the teeth for a less obvious look. These are often popular with adults and teens.
Clear Aligner Therapy
Clear aligners work differently than braces and are most often used by those who do not want to appear as though they are wearing braces. Click to read more about aligners.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
Your first visit will begin with a consultation. Dr. Gallois will take a look at your teeth and jaw, including any x-rays your dentist may have sent to our office. He will present your options for orthodontic treatment, address your questions, and create a plan for your care.
How Long Will You Wear Braces?
Orthodontic treatment duration varies from person to person. In general, treatment lasts between two and three years, depending on the patient’s age, what treatment option they have chosen, the severity of the case, and their compliance with treatment.
Tips and Tricks
Over-the-Counter Products
Peroxyl helps heal irritations in your mouth. Swish two teaspoons or contents of sample packet in your mouth for at least one minute, then spit out. You may use this up to four times a day.
Orabase may be applied directly to canker or mouth sores up to four times daily.
Disclosing tablets are an excellent way to check to see how well you are brushing your teeth. Chew one-half of each tablet, swish around your mouth and spit out. Look in the mirror to check for any pink areas on your teeth (don’t worry, your tongue will be bright pink). If you see pink areas on your teeth, these are the areas you are missing with your toothbrush. Brush again, especially in those areas. Use the tablets once a week. Remember, concentrate brushing the areas where the gums and teeth meet.
Over-the-Counter Products
Peroxyl helps heal irritations in your mouth. Swish two teaspoons or contents of sample packet in your mouth for at least one minute, then spit out. You may use this up to four times a day.
Orabase may be applied directly to canker or mouth sores up to four times daily.
Disclosing tablets are an excellent way to check to see how well you are brushing your teeth. Chew one-half of each tablet, swish around your mouth and spit out. Look in the mirror to check for any pink areas on your teeth (don’t worry, your tongue will be bright pink). If you see pink areas on your teeth, these are the areas you are missing with your toothbrush. Brush again, especially in those areas. Use the tablets once a week. Remember, concentrate brushing the areas where the gums and teeth meet.
Care for Your Braces
Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush. We recommend brushing after every meal. If you can’t brush after lunch at school, try to rinse. Brush very carefully at night before you go to sleep. NO SNACKS after your final brushing. Brush with a rotating motion between the gums and your braces. Electric, spin or rotating brushes are fine.
Use a Waterpik once a day, every day! It will help to remove food and plaque. Don’t put the pressure up too high. Place the tip of the Water Pik between your teeth, hold it there for five seconds, and move to the next tooth. Use warm water, and if you like, put a small amount of mouthwash in the water. Best to use this after your final brushing at night. We recommend Waterpik or any other oral irrigating device.
Wax helps if you feel a wire poking your cheek or a sharp edge on your braces. Pull off a small piece of the wax, roll it into a ball, and place it directly on the sharp edge. Call us at 203-348-7571 if you have a broken wire, or a bracket has come off.
Care for Your Braces
Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush. We recommend brushing after every meal. If you can’t brush after lunch at school, try to rinse. Brush very carefully at night before you go to sleep. NO SNACKS after your final brushing. Brush with a rotating motion between the gums and your braces. Electric, spin or rotating brushes are fine.
Use a Waterpik once a day, every day! It will help to remove food and plaque. Don’t put the pressure up too high. Place the tip of the Water Pik between your teeth, hold it there for five seconds, and move to the next tooth. Use warm water, and if you like, put a small amount of mouthwash in the water. Best to use this after your final brushing at night. We recommend Waterpik or any other oral irrigating device.
Wax helps if you feel a wire poking your cheek or a sharp edge on your braces. Pull off a small piece of the wax, roll it into a ball, and place it directly on the sharp edge. Call us at 203-348-7571 if you have a broken wire, or a bracket has come off.
The No-No List
Things you can’t eat or chew:
- Ice – A thousand times NO! It will destroy your braces.
- Pizza Crust – The hard crust bends wires. Be very careful.
- Hard Pretzels – Bends wires, loosens bands, knocks off brackets. Break pretzels into pieces.
- Caramel Candy or Gum – Any sticky goo will pull off wires and feed the bacteria in your mouth. Nobody wants to help the bacteria.
- Hard Rolls, Bagels, Bones – Bends the wire and knocks off brackets.
- Corn-on-the-Cob – Cut it off the cob.
- Slim Jims – Tough.
- Hard Candy – You might weaken and bite.
- Nuts – NO nuts of any kind.
- Ribs – Knocks off brackets.
- Pens and Pencils – Favorite exam time food breaks everything.
- Popcorn – The little shells get between the gum and band – hurts like crazy.
- Raw Carrots, Celery, Apples, Pears – Hard as rocks. Cut up into small pieces.
Eating these foods will loosen braces, but you may not discover the problem until hours or days later. Loose bands, broken wires, and detached brackets cause a longer treatment time.
The No-No List
- Ice – A thousand times NO! It will destroy your braces.
- Pizza Crust – The hard crust bends wires. Be very careful.
- Hard Pretzels – Bends wires, loosens bands, knocks off brackets. Break pretzels into pieces.
- Caramel Candy or Gum – Any sticky goo will pull off wires and feed the bacteria in your mouth. Nobody wants to help the bacteria.
- Hard Rolls, Bagels, Bones – Bends the wire and knocks off brackets.
- Corn-on-the-Cob – Cut it off the cob.
- Slim Jims – Tough.
- Hard Candy – You might weaken and bite.
- Nuts – NO nuts of any kind.
- Ribs – Knocks off brackets.
- Pens and Pencils – Favorite exam time food breaks everything.
- Popcorn – The little shells get between the gum and band – hurts like crazy.
- Raw Carrots, Celery, Apples, Pears – Hard as rocks. Cut up into small pieces.
Eating these foods will loosen braces, but you may not discover the problem until hours or days later. Loose bands, broken wires, and detached brackets cause a longer treatment time.
Dr. Gallois and Dr. Rhee Orthodontics
125 Strawberry Hill Ave
Stamford, CT 06902
Hours
Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
*Saturday 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Sunday Closed
*We are open every other Saturday. Please check out schedule.
In an emergency, please call the office and we will accommodate you. If the office is closed, you will be given the number of the doctor on call.