Hi there! Dr. Briggs here.
In our office, each patient has their own customized and unique treatment plan, utilizing different tools to achieve their smile goals. It’s important to me that you understand the tools that we use for your treatment, and feel comfortable adjusting to the process. One of my favorite tools that we use when needed are called bite turbos (Sometimes referred to as bandlok or bite blocks), and I’d like to break them down for you.
At Austin Orthodontics, we often tell patients that bite turbos are like tiny shelves or lifts we place strategically on your teeth. Most commonly, I’ll put them on the back of your upper front teeth or on your molars. The goal? To prevent your bite from stopping your teeth from moving where we want them to go. Pretty clever, right?
Here’s why we sometimes need them:
- Protecting your braces: Without bite turbos, a deep bite could pop off your lower brackets (and trust me, nobody wants extra appointments for broken brackets!).
- Correcting deep bites: They allow your back teeth to erupt naturally, helping us achieve the ideal bite.
- Freedom to move teeth: In cases where your bite impedes our ability to move your teeth to the desired position, they enable us to achieve those desired tooth movements.
Now, I’m always straight with my patients – the first few days with turbos are… interesting. Your teeth won’t touch the same way, and it might feel like you’re learning to eat all over again. I often get calls from concerned patients saying, “Dr. Briggs, I can’t chew!”. But I promise you – I’ve seen thousands of patients adapt beautifully within a week or two.
My Top Tips for New Turbo Patients:
- First few days: Stick to softer foods. Think smoothies, pasta, eggs – you get the idea
- Take smaller bites than usual (this is temporary!).
- Speech Adjustments: Your speech might sound a bit different at first – especially those pesky ‘s’ sounds.
- Keep those areas super clean – We’ll show you exactly how during your appointment.
Think of it this way – bite turbos are like training wheels for your bite. They might feel awkward at first, but they’re helping guide your teeth to their ideal positions. And once we’re done? You’ll have that beautiful, functional smile we’ve been working toward.
I always remind my patients – this temporary adjustment period is absolutely worth it for the final result we’re working toward. And hey, if you’re really struggling after a week or so, give us a call! That’s what we are here for.
Any other questions? The team at Austin Orthodontics is always happy to explain more about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it!