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.
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. Back to top
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 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.
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.
How often will I have appointments? Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most
patients in braces will be seen every 5 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 5 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.
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.
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!”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is it too late to have braces if I am already an
adult? A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25% of
all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness, and self-esteem
are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear
braces!
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.
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 appropriate
and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized
training that enables them to provide their patients with professional,
personalized treatments.
