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 my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an initial examination at 7 years old.
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If I have treatment diagnosed by my family dentist, should I complete that first?
Yes, it is important to your overall dental health to see your family dentist every 6 to 12 months
and complete treatment such as hygiene, periodontal exams, fillings and root canals. We may contact your
dentist to see if crown and bridge work may be postponed until after your braces are removed.
If you have not seen a dentist in the last 6 months, we suggest that you make an appointment today
to determine how much general dental treatment you need to complete prior to getting braces.
If you are new to the area or need to select a new family dentist, please click on this link
to schedule an appointment at one of our affiliate offices.
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Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth, 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.
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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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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.
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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 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.
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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 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
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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 with their
patient manager 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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Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the
best orthodontic result possible.
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Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
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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 while you are in braces.
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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.
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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 floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride,
if necessary.
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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.
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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, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One
treatment lasts about 12-21 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.
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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?
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!
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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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