- 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 properly diagnosed and completed by an orthodontic specialist who has had extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.
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- Is it required that my family dentist suggest 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, and jaw growth patterns are established, 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 permanent does not generally increase once they have erupted.
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- How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
Simply call our office and we will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to make your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you and guide you appropriately for your initial exam.
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- What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient and parent will first be greeted by a team member, who will introduce you to our office and prepare you for the initial exam. The doctor will then complete a visual examination and discuss the preliminary findings with you. With your consent, the doctor may wish to take diagnostic records, including digital photos, digital x-rays and impressions of your teeth. To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.
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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, for the majority of patients, removing teeth is not necessary for orthodontic treatment.
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- How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time 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?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. Treatment costs depend upon the severity of the problem and the appliances used. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the consultation appointment. 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.
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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 5 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. In general, only lengthy, emergency and repair appointments are scheduled during school hours, and should not occur more than twice in a school year. 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 at the end of the appointment, so we ask that parents check in with a team member 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 short time. 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 because of an orthodontic appointment.
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- Do you give shots?
Anesthetic injections are not necessary for routine 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 braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
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- Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend an orthodontic mouth guard for most 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 thoroughly brush their teeth at least two times each day. We show our patients how to brush their teeth with braces and we will also recommend a fluoride rinse.
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- What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your braces are causing unusual discomfort, 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 to begin treatment.
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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, on average, lasts about 10-16 months. The primary objectives for Phase One treatment are to address jaw growth problems, harmful habits, and space-gaining to avoid extractions.
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- Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
Phase One “sets the stage” for future treatment (Phase Two), if needed. So it is best to assume that your child will need full braces after Phase One treatment. At the conclusion of Phase One, patients have recall visits, during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations. Phase Two generally begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and lasts an average of 12-18 months.
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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 in our office 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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