Dr. Renick starts treatment by placing metal bands, or rings, around your back teeth. Neighboring teeth touch at a contact point which makes it hard to push a metal band between them. In order to put a band on the molar, we must start to push the teeth apart with a separator, an elastic ring. We place these at the records appointment to make room for the band to slide between the teeth.

To place the separator, we stretch it either with floss or a special plier to squeeze it between the teeth.

The teeth usually get sore. For this reason, we ask that you give the patient Advil or Tylenol just prior to or right after the appointment. This has been shown to minimize the discomfort. They don’t hurt at placement, but the teeth will start to become sore about an hour later as the teeth begin to move for the first time. This may last a day or two and Advil or Tylenol will address this.

Sticky foods include, but are not limited to: GUM (this includes sugar free gum), Tootsie Rolls, Skittles, Starburst, Laffy Taffy, Jolly Ranchers, Gummy Bears, etc.