- What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities involving jaws, facial muscles and teeth.
- What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an approved specialty residency conducted full-time over 2-3 years. Orthodontists specialize in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is “malocclusions,” which means “bad bite.” Only after completing specialized training can dentists take the title of orthodontist a specialist in dentofacial orthopedics.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- What are the early warning signs of a bad bite?
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Crowding, badly positioned or blocked out teeth
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
- Teeth that do not meet at all
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the face
- Finger-sucking or thumb-sucking habits
- 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.
- 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. We will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam.
To read more about your first visit, see our
First Visit Page.
- 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?
- Will any teeth need to be removed?
- How long will the treatment take to complete?
- How much will the treatment cost?
- 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 not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.
- How do braces work?
Braces use steady, gentle pressure to move teeth into desired positions. We bond or band brackets onto ideal positions of your teeth. This allows the archwire to be placed into the bracket along your teeth, which enables movement of your teeth. Archwires are bent to reflect your “ideal” bite, the path we want your teeth to follow to achieve the proper result. The archwire threads through the brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies the pressure that causes your teeth to shift. The pressure on one side of the tooth causes the bone to give way, the tooth moves into that spot, new bone grows in behind, and a new smile is created! The periodontal ligament that holds the roots of teeth in the specialized alveolar jawbone is what allows teeth to be moved by orthodontic forces.
- How long will treatment last?
In general, active treatment time lasts approximately 1-3 years and depends on many variables, such as the severity of the problem, growth of the patient’s mouth and face and cooperation from the patient. Mild problems require less time, and some individuals respond faster to treatment than others. While orthodontic treatment requires a commitment of time and effort, patients are rewarded with healthy teeth, proper jaw alignment and a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.
- 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.
- What do rubber bands accomplish?
Rubber bands, also called elastics, are attached to your braces. They exert the right amount of pressure to move teeth in directions that the braces and wires alone cannot accomplish. It is important to wear your elastics as prescribed and change them at least twice daily so that the force is constant and progress is made.
- Can I choose from different colors?
Orthodontic appliances have advanced greatly since the days when braces appeared as a “tin grin.” Today’s metal braces are stainless steel, and are much smaller and more comfortable than earlier braces. The ties on your brackets come in many different colors. Choose your school colors or cheer for you favorite sports team with your smile. Change the colors to celebrate the current holiday, color-coordinate your brackets and elastics or even make a rainbow with different colors.
- Do you offer any other options in braces?
For those patients’ who prefer a subtler look, we offer ceramic, tooth colored braces that are less noticeable. We also offer self-ligating braces if colors are not important to you. Invisalign is offered for adults and older teens, which require only minor orthodontic adjustments. Invisalign uses comfortable, clear plastic removable aligners to move the teeth and has no brackets or wires to irritate lips or cheeks.
- 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 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
- 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 10 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.
- 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!”
- Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
- Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.
- What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your braces are causing extreme pain 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.
- 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.
- Are there any benefits to early diagnosis and treatment?
Orthodontists can improve smiles at any age, but there is usually an optimum age for treatment to begin .The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child have an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7, or earlier if a problem is detected. An early examination allows the orthodontist to determine how and when a child’s particular problem should be treated for maximum improvement with the least time of treatment. Early orthopedic and orthodontic correction of certain growth problems may eliminate jaw surgery later and/or reduce the need for tooth removal. Early treatment provides the opportunity to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Guide incoming teeth to optimal positions
- Regulate jaw width
- Lower the risk of trauma to prominent front teeth
- Correct harmful sucking habits
- Reduce the likelihood of teeth becoming stuck or impacted under the gums
- Preserve or gain space for permanent teeth
- 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.
- Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
- Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!
