Patient's Cooperation

Success of every dental treatment depends heavily upon cooperation of the patient.  A 13-year-old girl has strong desire to fix crooked teeth (Fig.1: front view).  In 5 months and a half, tooth alignment is pretty good except left side (Fig.1').  The gap between top and bottom teeth remains the same (#2-4, compare Fig.1,1').

Fig.2,2' are side view of her bite before and 5.5 months after braces (mirror image), showing the big gap between top and bottom teeth.

We ask the girl to use elastic bands (E) to hook up these top and bottom teeth together 24 hours a day (except eating) in summer break. 

The girl appears to follow the instruction.  In ten days, the gap closes nicely (Fig.2'').  She also keeps her teeth and braces clean.  What a cooperative young patient!

Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 07/31/2013, last revision 07/31/2013