Español

1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate his or her orthodontic condition. At this early age, orthodontic treatment is rarely necessary, but careful examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.

3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?

No, generally they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as a child grows. In most people, after the first permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age. In some circumstances, it is helpful to manage the eruption by enhancing a normal process of “borrowing” space during the sequence of eruption.

4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?

If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you. All your provide information is confidential.

5. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?

Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is usually not necessary for orthodontic treatment.

6. How long will it take to complete treatment?

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 24 months.

7. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?

It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.

8. How often will I have appointments?

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every five to eight weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

9. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled five to eight weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

10. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?

Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. Many of our teenaged patients can walk to the office and manage themselves. Please make sure that our contact information is current with cell numbers or work numbers if we should need to contact you.

11. Do braces hurt?

Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after many visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”.

12. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?

Yes. There is no reason to miss school after beginning treatment. It makes the most sense to carry on with “business as usual” to make for a better transition into braces.

13. Do you give shots?

No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

14. Do you use recycled braces?

Absolutely NOT! This is an outdated option that is no longer even possible with modern braces because of the amount of precision that is lost.

15. Can I still play sports?

Yes. We will recommend and provide a mouth guard for sports where facial contact is a regular possibility.

16. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?

Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.

17. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?

Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

18. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?

Patients should brush their teeth at least three times each day – morning, mid-day and before going to bed. It is important to brush vigorously and thoroughly. We will show each patient how to floss his/her teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a daily fluoride supplement, if necessary.

19. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?

If your braces are causing extreme pain or if there is significant soreness, you should call our office. For after hours times, we can be paged through the office voice mail system. Please use good judgment in choosing this option. In most cases, we can address these issues with an appointment during regular office hours. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.

20. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin. Many teenage patients will still have a few baby teeth remaining and be ready to start orthodontic treatment. In cases where space shortage is a problem, it is more productive to make space rather than wait too long for teeth to attempt to erupt improperly.

21. What is Phase One (early) treatment?

Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment lasts about 10-18 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image. It is not a full-treatment.

22. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?

It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the "resting period," during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.

23. Will my child need an expander?

At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.

24. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?

A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. And this group is growing every day. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!.

25. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?

Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth, straight roots and in many cases to close spaces.

26. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?

Teeth, bite positions and sometimes entire facial structures are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments. Of course you want to be in the best hands.