Elate Library: Patient Care Guides and Resources
Everything you need to care for your braces, aligners, retainers, or expander at home. Use this page to find your care guide, watch the relevant videos, and download your instruction sheet.
Questions not answered here? Call us at 972-538-4343 or use Virtual Care.
Braces Care
Proper brushing, flossing, and food choices during braces treatment make a significant difference in your final result. The full care guide below covers everything from daily cleaning to what to do when a bracket comes loose or a wire pokes.
Braces Home Care
Using Wax for a Pokey Wire
Aligner Care
Invisalign and Angel Aligner trays need daily cleaning, proper storage, and careful removal. The videos below cover everything from getting started with your aligners to what to do if one does not fit well or has a rough edge.
Get to Know Your Invisalign
Aligner and Retainer Home Care
How to Remove Aligners Safely
What to Do When an Aligner Does Not Fit
Aligner Seating Tips
Fixing Rough Aligner Edges
Retainer Care
Retainers are the final and permanent phase of orthodontic treatment. Teeth move throughout life, and retainers are the only thing that keeps your result in place. The full guide covers wear schedules, cleaning, storage, and what to do if a retainer is lost or damaged.
Lost or broken retainer?
Call us right away at 972-538-4343. Teeth can shift in just a few days without a retainer. We offer same-week replacement retainers at all three locations. Learn about the Retainer Assurance Program for long-term coverage.
Spacers, Palate Expanders, and More
Spacers Care
Spacers are small rubber rings placed between your back teeth before braces. Learn what to eat, what to avoid, and what to do if one falls out.
Palate Expander Care
How to turn your expander, clean it properly, and what to expect during the expansion phase. A reference for patients and parents.
Virtual Care
Submit a photo of a broken bracket, loose wire, or fitting issue directly to our team. Get a response without coming in for an appointment.
Elate Blog
Orthodontic questions answered by Dr. Baharvand and Dr. Kang. Retainer cleaners, overbite guides, palate expansion, and more.
Common Issues and What to Do
Use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp end. If it is causing a sore, call us. Watch the wax tutorial above.
The bracket is still on the wire. It is not an emergency but call us to schedule a repair. Do not try to remove it yourself. Use Virtual Care to send us a photo.
Try wearing the previous tray for a day or two and then attempt the current one again. If it still does not seat fully, contact us. Watch the “aligner not fitting well” video above.
Call us. If your banding appointment is within a day or two, it may not need to be replaced. If it is further out, we will advise you. See the Spacers Care Guide.
Call 972-538-4343 right away. Do not wait. Teeth shift quickly without retainers. We offer same-week replacement at all locations.
Still have a question?
Call or text us at any time during office hours. You can also submit a photo through Virtual Care and we will get back to you without requiring an in-person visit.
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM at all three locations