FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Orthodontic screening is recommended at age 7 by the American Association of Orthodontists. In most children, several permanent teeth have erupted, which then enables us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

No. The front teeth space does not increase as you grow. After the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age in most people.

Orthodontic treatment is important for both you and your child. Just contact our office; you can send us an email or fill out our appointment request form online. We are more than happy to hear from you. Our front office staff will request some basic information from you once you call to schedule your appointment.

Each patient and parent, upon arriving, will be seen by the doctor, who will prepare for the initial exam. Photographs and X-rays are necessary because they will enable us to make a proper diagnosis, and then a brief but thorough exam will be conducted by the doctor.

During the initial examination, we will cover five essential questions, such as;

How long will the treatment take to complete?

What must be done to correct the problem?

Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?

How much will the treatment cost?

Will any teeth need to be removed?

To achieve the best orthodontic result, sometimes removing teeth is required. The goal of orthodontics is to straighten teeth and have a balanced facial profile. But removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures.

Treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. It obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, 22 months is the “average” time frame a person is in braces.

It is only after examination that we can give you an exact cost for treatment. During the initial examination, we will go over the financial options available to you, plus inform you of the exact costs. There are many financing options made available to accommodate your needs, and these will be reviewed with you. We will also help to maximize your benefit and review your insurance policy, and also file your claims.

Appointments are usually tailored according to each patient's needs. Most patients with braces will be seen every five to ten weeks.

During after-school hours, we usually don’t schedule all appointments for students. Most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments because most appointments are scheduled five to 10 weeks apart. We will make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

Yes, you can. 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. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you out.

Braces do not hurt in general. Although the teeth may be sore for a while after certain visits but pain medications like Advil or Tylenol will be prescribed to reduce the discomfort you might feel. Patients do not feel any soreness at all with frequent visits.

Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.

No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

NO! Each patient is provided with their own braces, because our goal is to get the best orthodontic result possible.

Yes. For all sports, we recommend a mouth guard.

It is extremely important to go for regular checkups with your family dentist while in braces. The intervals between cleaning appointments will be arranged by your family dentist.

There are certain foods you cannot eat. We will explain the instructions you need and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid, once treatment begins. Examples of such foods are; ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods like caramel and taffy. Most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces can be avoided by carefully following our instructions.

At least four times each day, especially before going to bed and after each meal. If necessary, we will provide a prescription for a special fluoride and also show patients how to floss their teeth with braces.

You should call our office immediately. If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, we can make arrangements for an appointment or address issues over the phone.

The growth and development of that patient will be followed until the time is right for treatment to begin. Some orthodontic problems are serious enough to need early intervention, we will follow that also, if the patient is not ready for treatment. PLEASE talk to us before you decide on a “phase” plan.

Usually, this treatment is initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. It usually lasts about 12-21 months and the primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to improve self-image and self-esteem by preventing them from becoming more serious.

After Phase One treatment, it is best to assume that your child will still need full braces. The growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored during the time  following Phase One treatment. This is called the “resting period.” At this point, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations. Before you decide on a “phase” plan, please come to us.

We will determine whether a patient will need an expander at the completion of the initial examination.

According to the American Dental Association, nearly 32% of orthodontic patients in 2023 were adults. Nobody is “too old” to wear braces.

Yes you can, the orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling.

Orthodontic treatment has the power to permanently transform both the teeth and overall facial structure. Because of its significant impact, the importance of completing treatment properly cannot be overstated. Orthodontic specialists use their extensive, specialized training to deliver professional and personalized care tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Need Help?

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