Frequently Asked Questions

What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a division in dentistry which specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities.
top
Why should I go to an orthodontic specialist?
In the medical field there are specialties such as dermatology, cardiology etc., the same is true for dentistry. Orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on the movement of teeth, jaw positions and facial aesthetics as related to the teeth and jaws. Certified orthodontists have completed a comprehensive 3 year program in addition to their dental training. Their training has made them experts in aligning teeth, correcting and guiding jaw growth, keeping your teeth aligned after your braces come off and giving you the smile you deserve. Remember, most insurance plans only pay for braces once in a lifetime, so have it done right the first time.
top
Is orthodontic treatment necessary?
Orthodontics can help correct many bite abnormalities and prevent the undesirable occurrences of tooth wear, jaw trauma and possibly the loss of teeth due to a traumatic bite and facial profile deficiencies. Without orthodontics these problems can become worse over time and in some circumstances lead to the loss of teeth and jaw joint (TMJ) problems.
top
At what age should I look for signs of a bad bite with my child?
You should carefully watch you child’s mouth as permanent teeth come in. Every child develops and matures at a different rate, however there are some developmental averages. Things to watch out for include:
  • Premature loss of baby teeth
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Teeth that are not contacting
  • Biting of the cheek or palate of the mouth
  • Wrong bite (under bites, over bites etc.)
  • Finger or pacifier habits continued beyond the age of 6
  • Jaw noises such as clicking and popping that cause discomfort
top
When is the best time to schedule a consult appointment?
Every child should see an orthodontist at an early age. Children can see an orthodontist as early as 4 or 5 years of age. However, the American Association of Orthodontits recommends that children see an orthodontist by the age of 7.  At this age children generally have enough adult teeth grown in and enough jaw growth has occurred to identify problems. An early screening appointment can help the orthodontist determine when treatment should start. Many parents and dentists believe that a child should have all of their permanent teeth before seeing an orthodontist.  But in fact there are some cases where early intervention of your child’s bite is called for. In some cases ideal outcomes are unattainable without more drastic measures once the face and jaws have stopped growing.
top
Who should come to the consult?
Besides the patient, any and all parents/guardians who are going to be involved in the decision making process should come to the consult.
top
What should I expect to take home with me from my consult?
After your consult we will provide you with a booklet for you to take home and read over. This booklet contains all of the information about you or your child’s treatment, the cost of the proposed treatment and all of our office policies.
top
Will jaw growth self correct the crowding I see in my 8 year old?
The answer is No. Unfortunately there is no more room for the front teeth after the first permanent molars erupt at around the age of 6.
top
What are the benefits to early treatment?
Early treatment can correct bite problems that may otherwise require surgery. As your child grows, the bones in the jaw become dense and the sutures where the bones meet fuse together which makes it impossible to correct with the methods that we use in early treatment.  Early treatment can also shorten the length of time that your child will be in braces for in the future.
top
What causes crowding?
As with hair color and height, your mouth and its features are genetically predisposed to what your parents have. Some factors do however play a role. Habits such as finger sucking, pacifier sucking, tooth decay, premature loss of baby teeth, trauma and gum disease can all play a part. Any sucking habits should be stopped by the age of 6.
top
Why should I have my teeth straightened?
Having your teeth straightened gives your mouth many benefits. Aside from having a beautiful smile, having straight teeth can also make it easier for you to clean your teeth by eliminating food traps caused by crowding. This can greatly reduce and help to eliminate gum disease. Having straight teeth also creates an even wearing of your teeth allowing you to keep them for a lifetime.
top
How do braces work?
Small brackets made of metal or ceramic are bonded onto the teeth by the Orthodontist. These are then all connected together by the arch wire. This arch wire exerts a force on your brackets which begins the process of moving your teeth. Even though it may not feel like it to you all the time, while in orthodontic treatment your mouth is constantly changing.
top
Will my teeth look worse before they look better while I am in orthodontic treatment?
As teeth are up righted with the braces, spaces can open up and it may appear that midlines shift. Don’t worry it is all part and par for the course. Those spaces are closed up and midlines are monitored to ensure that they end up where they are suppose to be.
top
Can my teeth be straightened with out braces?
There are “invisible braces” that consist of a series of trays that can align teeth without braces called Invisalign. However, it all depends on the severity of your crowding/spacing and bite. Ask us if your bite can be treated to our standards with Invisalign.
top
What are self ligating braces?
Self ligating braces are braces that do not need elastics or metal ties to hold the arch wire in the bracket, making the brackets smaller and more aesthetically pleasing. There is actually room in the bracket slot for the arch wire to move which allows for lighter forces on the teeth. This prevents root resorption from too much pressure on the teeth.  This technology moves the teeth faster and more easily due to the force being more like a bodily force.
top
Do braces cause a lot of discomfort?
Discomfort generally occurs due to pressure on the teeth after the initial appointment and after any arch wire changes. The discomfort does not usually last more that 2-3 days and for the most part does not interfere with normal day to day activities. Any discomfort due to pressure that does occur can be lessened with cold beverages/food or an over the counter anti-inflammatory such as Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen. If there is something other than discomfort from the pressure, such as poking from a wire that has shifted or come out of a bracket, orthodontic wax or sugar free gum over the area will alleviate the irritation until you can come in and have it looked at.
top
Can you be too old for braces?
No. As long as you have sufficient bone support around the roots of your teeth and your other tissues are healthy, there is no reason that braces are not an option for you. About 40% of our patients are adults looking to improve their health and smile.
top
Will having orthodontic treatment change my lifestyle?
Only if you have a huge sweet tooth will braces affect your lifestyle. Super sticky, hard and chewy foods can weaken the bond strength and break off brackets. These foods can also cause the wires to bend and possibly come out of the brackets.  Foods high in sugar can also cause cavities, areas of decalcification, and gum disease.   Mostly, you just need to have smaller pieces of food. The only other adjustment needed is to add in a few extra minutes to brush your teeth and brackets after meals.
top
How long does treatment typically take?
Treatment takes approximately 2 years depending on how severe your case is. This is also affected by patient compliance and oral hygiene.
top
Will my child require additional treatment after having an early treatment (generally called Phase I)?
More than likely yes, your child will require additional treatment. Phase I treatment typically corrects jaw problems and guides any adult teeth that your child has into the correct spot while allowing room for the permanent dentition to erupt. An additional phase, called Phase II, finishes the job of correcting the bite once all of the adult teeth have erupted. Phase II treatment consists of braces on all of the teeth and more than likely involves elastics.
top
What can happen between a phase I and a phase II treatment?
This growth/observation period will involve a combination of retaining the correction that has been made in Phase I while guiding the growth of the permanent teeth into a more favorable position. Because treatment timing is critical, your child's growth and development is monitored very carefully during this period.
top
How is room saved for permanent teeth?
Baby teeth hold room for the permanent teeth that will come in later. A lower lingual arch space maintainer can be placed when the baby canine and baby molars are getting loose or fall out prematurely. The space maintainer prevents the lower back permanent molars from slipping forward and prevents the lower front permanent incisor teeth from tipping toward the tongue. This saves or preserves the maximum amount of space for the permanent teeth (canines and bicuspids) that grow between the permanent back molars and the permanent lower incisors. An upper holding arch works on the same principals and is placed on the upper arch to maintain space that may be lost.
top
How is room created for permanent teeth?
When there is not enough room for permanent teeth to erupt successfully, appliances are used to create room in the dental arches. Some of these include:
  • Palatal expander – an appliance which is bonded to teeth and has a screw at the center of the palate. The screw is turned as prescribed by the orthodontist in order to apply pressure to the teeth and expand the palate.
  • Herbst – a bonded retainer which helps to position the lower jaw forward and remodel the lower jaw bones in a more favorable position.
  • Twin Block – a removable retainer with 2 parts that helps position the lower jaw forward and remodel the lower jaw bone in a more favorable position.
top
Do I need to have teeth extracted?
With the use of new technology, we are able to treat most of our patients without the removal of healthy permanent teeth. However, extractions can be indicated in a small percentage of patients.
top
Can my teeth shift after orthodontic treatment?
Yes. If retainers are lost, broken, or simply not worn after braces are removed, teeth can shift. Retainers keep your teeth in position while the fibers that hold your teeth to the bone and tissue create new memory. If something does happen to your retainers please contact us as soon as possible.
top
Is orthodontic treatment expensive?
OOrthodontic treatment costs for the majority of cases can vary anywhere from $3000 to $9000 depending on the case. Our office offers payment plans to make this cost more affordable. Also, most insurance companies now offer some type of coverage for orthodontic treatment.
top
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
referral is necessary.  Many patients come in due to word of mouth from friends, family or neighbors.
top