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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.
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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 your orthodontic condition.
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Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.
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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.
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What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. The doctor will complete a brief, but thorough, exam and proceed with diagnostic records (molds, x-rays, photos) if the patient is ready to begin treatment.
To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.
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What will I learn from the initial examination?
There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
- Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
- What must be done to correct the problem?
- When is the best time to start treatment?
- How long will the treatment take to complete?
- How much will the treatment cost?
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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, in most cases removing teeth is not necessary for orthodontic treatment.
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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 22 months.
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How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
The cost of treatment varies with each individual case and will be explained in detail, along with your financial options, following the initial examination. We offer several flexible monthly payment options, and will be happy to work with you to find a fee schedule that best fits your needs. We will also review your insurance policy and help maximize your benefit and file your claims.
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How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. During treatment, most patients will be seen every 6 to 8 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
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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 6 to 8 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.
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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. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return, so we ask that parents check in before dropping off their child.
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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 most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”
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Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school following your initial orthodontic appointment.
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Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own set of braces for cleanliness, but also to safely achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
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Can I still play sports?
Yes. However, we recommend a mouth guard for all sports during treatment.
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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 during treatment.
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Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. After your get your braces, we will go over a complete set of maintenance instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
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How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to brush and floss their teeth with braces and provide special size and shape brushes to help with hygiene.
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What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If part of your braces are extremely uncomfortable or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.
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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.
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What is Phase One (early) treatment?
Phase One treatment (early orthodontic intervention) is sometimes necessary to correct problems that arise as the jaws and permanent teeth are developing. This is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10 and lasts about 8-14 months. The goal is often to prevent early bite problems from getting worse, but can also be a way to improve self-esteem and self-image.
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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.
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Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
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Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
Adults make up an increasingly large percentage of our practice. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to everyone. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!
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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.
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Why should You choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriately diagnosed and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.
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