Inserting and Removing Your BrB Traintrack Look-like Braces

Where and when possible I will send the model on which the BrB was made back to you along with the BrB. The teeth on the model will no doubt be chipped (an inevitable result when the plastic shell is fabricated). However, you can use the chipped models as a guide to help you learn how to insert and remove them from your own teeth. You should  know that trying to put a   a dry BrB on a dry model may give you the impression that it will be difficult to put it on your teeth, which is not the case as you will discover (see below).

.  I suggest you try putting the Brb's on and off the reduced size version of your chipped models.  Then duplicate actions in your mouth standing in front of the mirror.

I also suggest that  brushing your teeth before putting on the BrB is an excellent idea because it will help to keep your breath fresher longer. Food trapped under the shell of the BrB may also tend to impart a bad odor to the shell of the BrB since is more porous on the inside of it. If you do not care whether you have "uncleaned fish-tank" breath then don't brush.

INSERTING: 

First Make sure Your teeth are well wetted with your saliva and the BrB likewise. This wetting should serve well as  lubrication. Please do not fret if the BrB at first seems not to fit.  It is very, very rare that it (when used as  a simple retainer after braces are removed)  does not fit perfectly.  

INSERTING THE BrB: Begin on the upper from the front to the back: Line up the four front teeth of the BrB with your front teeth and begin slipping the BrBb onto your teeth (shoe onto foot, glove onto hand)  then with your thumbs carefully work the BrB back and up on to your teeth. The feeling of pressure should not be excessive. In fact it feels very much like the pressure you would feel after an orthodontic adjustment. It should hug your teeth like a comfortably snug leather glove.  

REMOVING

REMOVING THE BrB:  Place the finger nails of your index and middle fingers of your right hand on the top border of the BrB of the last two teeth. (The right fingers on the right side, and the left fingers on the left side). Pull down to slide the BrB over the bulge of the last molars, then gently work your way forward to the next teeth moving forward.  Then move your nails forward to the top edge of the BrB at closer to the four front teeth and slide the BrB down, forward and off.

Please do not try to remove it by tugging on the brackets. Guess what may happen?

 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE LOWER are the same except when removing a lower dig your thumb nails under the lower border and begin by working the brb over the bulge of the lower back molars and work your way forward.  Clean with soap and water after each use. BrB's are sturdy, but fragile at the same time. 

PRECAUTIONS:

1. To clean use a toothbrush and only soap and water.
2. Clean after every use.
3. Do not clean or rinse or use any colored mouthwash on them. I do not know if they can be stained
4. They will be destroyed if you heat or boil them.
5. When not in use keep them in a case. I tell my patients to “keep your retainers in your face or in your case but NEVER in a napkin” You will lose after a meal.
6. If you pick at the brackets with your fingernails or pencils you run the risk of causing a bracket to detach.
7. One happy wearer has already reported that it is unwise to subject them to being flexed. Flexing may stress the adhesive used to bond the bracket on.  (It is the exact same adhesive I use to bond brackets on actual patients.)
8. Do not eat with them. If for some reason you MUST eat with them do not eat foods that are CRISPY, CRUNCH or CRUSTY. I charge real patients $25/bracket to rebond them after I think they have exceeded the limit I give them for broken brackets.  You may drink with them but you run the risk of causing the plastic shell to discolor. Ps   (I have never seen a patient return with discolored Invisalign retainers.)
9. SPECIAL NOTE: A BrB is to say the very least a functional device, i.e., it is an orthodontic retainer. It holds teeth in place in exactly the same way as the retainer an orthodontist gives you to hold your teeth in place after he removes your braces.  Indeed the plastic shell on to which the brackets have been bonded are the very same kind of retainers I give my patients the day after I remove their fixed braces.
10. A BrB that “wobbles a little” indicates a less than perfect fit. Such an imperfect fit will not cause you any harm but biting forces may cause it in time break sooner than if it were fitted without a wobbble. 
11. If your BrB which originally fit well but is becoming tighter or more painful you may be experiencing a problem not caused by the BrB but caused by some dental or gum problem that is emerging as a totally new problem and requires solution not by stopping wearing the BrB, but by going to the dentist. For example you may need a root canal treatment because you have deep cavity and you have an infection/abscess.  
12. Take your BrB to the dentist whenever you are going to have new dental work being done.  Show your dentist your BrB fake BEFORE he begins doing his dental procedures and make sure he knows you paid a good deal of money for the appliance he may very well make unfitting
13. ENJOY….Dr. Ted

February 16, 2001
Drted35@aol.com

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