FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhat is Orthodontics?Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces and Invisalign aligners are appliances used to make these corrections. What is an Orthodontist?An Orthodontist is a highly trained specialist who has completed two to three years of post-graduate training after graduation from dental school. An orthodontist straightens teeth and makes corrections to the bite, facial profile, and facial growth. They also work closely with oral surgeons with some adult treatment needs where growth cannot be altered. What is a Board Certified Orthodontist?A Board Certified Orthodontist is a person who has completed a comprehensive written and oral examination covering all types of orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic care. They also demonstrate actual accomplishment of patient care with detailed written reports on the treatment provided for a variety of patient problems. A Board Certified Orthodontist is called a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Why should I choose an Orthodontic specialist?It is very important that treatment be done properly as teeth and sometimes faces are changed permanently by orthodontics. A licensed orthodontic specialist is an expert at moving teeth, helping jaws develop properly, and working with you to help make sure the teeth stay in their new positions. We will work closely with your family dentist (and other specialists you may be referred to for specific concerns) who can best take care of your other dental needs. Why should I have orthodontic treatment?Orthodontic treatment improves your smile and your health. When you feel better about yourself others often feel better about you. Straight teeth will likely be easier to clean and help you maintain good oral health. And you can enjoy that nice piece of steak so much better when you have good chewing function! Who doesn’t want a million dollar smile, one that soars above the clouds?!? When should my child be seen?The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children be screened around the age of seven. We will evaluate your child and if your child needs treatment we can take corrective action to reduce the severity of a developing problem and possibly avoid costly and uncomfortable treatment later on. What are the early symptoms of orthodontic problems and how can I look for them?It is important that you examine your child’s mouth as the permanent teeth grow in. Do they line up with the bottom teeth with no spaces or gaps? Are the teeth straight? Are gaps or overlapping (crowding) present? If your child has beautifully straight baby teeth with no gaps that isn’t so good, be prepared for lots of crowding when the permanent teeth come in. When your child bites down does the center of the front top teeth line up with the center of the front bottom teeth? Do the upper front teeth (incisors) slightly overlap the lower front teeth, not sticking out like ”buck” teeth and not hitting directly on the tops of or behind the lower front teeth? Do the top front teeth overlap more than 25% of the bottom teeth? Do the teeth come together smoothly, or are there any gaps? If your child’s teeth do not come together smoothly, or if any of your child’s teeth do not line up properly your child may need orthodontic treatment. Look at the alignment of your child’s jaw. Does your child’s jaw shift off center when they clench their teeth together? Does the contour of their face in profile look normal to you? If you see any of the above symptoms, or are just not sure, please bring your child in for an orthodontic evaluation. What is the treatment goal for adolescents??The goal is to correct the alignment of the teeth and the jaws during and after the eruption of all the permanent teeth. Treatment time usually ranges between 15 and 24 months. The most ideal time for treatment is during the adolescent growth spurt (puberty) because some growth modification can be done, and most all of the permanent teeth are fully erupted or erupting. In the young person who has moderately crowded teeth it is very important to start their treatment just as the last four baby teeth are due to be lost (the primary second molars). Sometimes this can prevent the loss of permanent teeth. I'm an adult, what can braces do for me??Orthodontics can correct the alignment of the teeth at any age. Sometimes we need to work with maxillofacial surgeons for correct jaw alignment in adults as growth is not available to help us achieve treatment goals. Orthodontics can be done at any age if the bone and gum tissue around the teeth are healthy. With adults we occasionally need to make space for crowns, implants or bridges when teeth have shifted to poor positions, often the result of early loss of teeth due to decay, gum disease, or trauma. We also treat adults who were treated as adolescents and experienced relapse due to inadequate retainer wear, physiologic shifting of the teeth, or continued genetic growth patterns that persisted after the original treatment was completed. Help! I don’t want my braces to show!?If conventional braces are the best treatment for your malocclusion and you want to downplay the appearance of them then perhaps the clear Damon, or all ceramic brackets on your upper front teeth will be what you are looking for. Maybe some type of aligner such as Invisalign will be an option for you as well. I’ve heard a lot about Invisalign or clear braces. That sounds like something I’d like.?Invisalign or “Invisible Braces” is a series of 3-D computer generated clear removable appliances called aligners. If your malocclusion is appropriate for this type of treatment you may achieve a beautiful smile without glued on braces. This treatment is not appropriate for growing children but can be for adolescents with fully erupted teeth. Do I need a referral to see an Orthodontist??No! Many of our patients come from “word of mouth recommendations” from friends and family members. We appreciate all referrals, whether from your dentist or a friend, and if you like our office we would be thrilled if you would tell others about us. I like the different colors I see on braces, can I get them too??With the Damon System we no longer use colored ties to hold the wires to the brackets. There are many advantages to the Damon System - please see our Damon page for details. However if your oral hygiene is absolutely fantastic we can slip the colored ties underneath the wire so they can be seen. We have a variety of different colors that you can choose from. For our patients that still have the traditional brackets we use the little tie-rings called “alastiks” or donuts to hold the wires to the braces. They are usually changed at each appointment so you can choose a different color scheme each month. Some patients decorate themselves according to the holiday season. I participate in sports. Are there any precautions I should take with my braces??We recommend wearing a soft sports mouthguard when participating in contact sports. They are also recommended for sports such as basketball where it is possible take a hit to the mouth with another players elbow. We encourage them for weight-lifters also who tend to clench their teeth while lifting. How long do braces take to put on??Depending on the case, 1 to 1.5 hours This depends if we place just one arch at a time, or put them on both arches (upper and lower braces) at the same appointment. I have “TMJ”. Can braces help me??Everyone has “TMJ”. Mother Nature has given each of us two jaw joints, one of each side of the lower jaw, and they are called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. What you are describing is TMD or some type of temporomandibular dysfunction. Braces may or may not improve jaw joint problems and more conservative approaches should be tried first. Are braces covered by insurance and do I have to pay for them all at once??Many dental plans now include orthodontic treatment; however most plans only cover a portion of the treatment costs. Please check with your insurance provider before seeking care to determine if orthodontic procedures are covered. Our office allows you to pay for orthodontic treatment in installments. A down payment is usually required to cover the costs in starting up your case. Once you pay for the initial costs we will usually let you pay for the rest of the treatment in installments. Will teeth be pulled??We will prescribe tooth extraction only if there isn’t enough room for all your teeth, or the removal of teeth with enhance your appearance. We will close the spaces during treatment and no one will notice that some are missing. If you have any other questions we will be happy to answer them for you in person.Please call the office to set up an appointment.
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