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Life With Braces | Magical Movement | Before & After | Braces Diagram
In-Ovation R® | Mystique® | Invisalign® | Patient Care Video
 "Wow, you mean I can chew gum?"
(and answers to other frequently asked questions....)
Yes, you can chew SUGARLESS gum with
braces. . .in fact, we encourage
our patients to chew gum (sugarless!), eat, talk, and sing, etc.,
because at Dr. Panucci's we take a sport-medicine approach. Just
like a stiff muscle, the more you use it, the sooner you will work
out any discomfort! Advil or Tylenol can be helpful during the
first three days, but gone are the days of "cranking 'em tighter!"
Advancements in technology have greatly improved the orthodontic
experience. For instance, the archwires we use are made from
flexible titanium and are thinner, yet more comfortable and
effective at moving teeth!
"But I love Doritos!"
Yes, we love them, too. But there are some
types of food to avoid during orthodontic treatment:
- Anything CARAMEL-LIKE or STICKY (i.e.: tootsie rolls, gummy
bears, skittles, licorice, etc.)
- Very HARD FOODS (i.e.: nuts, doritos, bagels, hard candies, ice,
etc.)
- Foods you have to BITE INTO (i.e. corn on the cob, apples &
carrots)
(UNLESS cooked or cut into small pieces)
We also suggest our patients minimize their
sugar intake by limiting consumption of cokes and candy. All that
sugar is just not good for teeth and can cause unnecessary enamel
scarring.
"But I'm the leading scorer for my basketball team ...HOW CAN I GET BRACES?"
Congratulations!! You can continue to raise
your stats while improving your bite and smile! We'll provide you
with an orthodontic sports mouthpiece. Many of our patients play
contact sports ranging from soccer to cheerleading, to ice hockey.
Braces don't hinder your performance as an athlete. Lots of Panucci
patients are all-stars!
"What about an emergency?"
Glad you asked! At Dr. Panucci's office,
we offer the most reassuring communications system on the market.
Our "HOUSECALLS" system is designed to help you reach a clinical
assistant within 30 minutes of your after-hours phone call. They
will help you determine the best course of action to be taken at
that time, whether it is talking you through a poking wire, or Dr.
Panucci meeting you at the hospital---we are here for you!
 "I'm too old for braces!"
Oh, really? Tell that to Mrs. Jo Ann
Keadle, our 70-year-old patient who recently completed
treatment. Or the other adults who make up approximately 20% of
our practice. You are NEVER too old to improve your smile, your
bite, or your self-esteem! With the average life expectancy
continuing to rise, why live 30, 40, 50+ years with problems that
can be easily corrected with 16-24 months of orthodontic treatment?
"But she's too young for braces!"
We don't treat our heart patients like we
did in the 70's and 80's, why should we treat our orthodontic
patients that way? The American Association of Orthodontists
recommends a consultation for ALL children by age seven. That's
because there is a window of opportunity to utilize a child's growth
and development. We can eliminate the need for permanent
extractions and avoid lengthy, difficult treatments with our
incredible advancements in this aspect of orthodontics. We love to
share photos of actual patients who have benefited from our early
phase of treatment. Results obtained by treating early with only
a few simple appliances will amaze you!
"What role do I play with braces?"
To successfully complete the treatment plan,
you must work TOGETHER with Dr. Panucci. Your teeth and jaws can
only move toward their corrected positions if you consistently wear
your rubber bands and appliances. Broken appliances lengthen your
estimated treatment time and affect your end result. TEAMWORK is
the key to a wonderful result!
It is also more important than ever to
brush and floss regularly when you have braces. Excess plaque
accumulation around braces can cause enamel scarring (white or
brown areas) …so keep those teeth clean!
Last but not least is the relationship we
establish with our patients. We consider you a member of our
patient family the first day you come into our office! We strive
to get to know each and every one of our patients on a personal
level because we truly care about YOU. We hope that you will share
and laugh with us throughout your treatment in our office.
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