 |
 Why
is orthodontics important?
- Why should you choose
an orthodontic specialist?
- At what age should I schedule
an appointment for an orthodontic screening for my child?
- How do I schedule an appointment
for an initial consultation?
- Is it required that my
family dentist refer me to your office?
- What will happen at the
initial consultation appointment?
- What will I learn from
the initial consultation?
- How much will braces cost?
- How long will it take
to complete treatment?
- Will I need to have teeth
extracted for braces?
- What are orthodontic
records?
- How often will I have
appointments?
- Can I schedule all of
my appointments after school?
- How do braces work?
- Do braces hurt?
- Will my teeth straighten
out as they grow or will my bite problem self-correct with time?
- What are the early warning
signs of a bad bite?
- Are there foods that
I cannot eat while I have braces?
- Can I still play sports
while wearing braces?
- How often should I brush
my teeth while wearing braces?
- Do I need to see my family
dentist while in braces?
- Can orthodontic correction
occur while a child still has some baby teeth?
- What is Phase 1 (Early)
treatment?
- Will my child need an
expander?
- Does everyone need Phase
1 treatment?
- Will my child need full
braces if he/she has Phase 1 treatment?
- What is Phase 2 treatment?
- Is it too late to have
braces if I am already an adult?
- Can I wear braces even though I have crowns,
root canals or missing teeth?
- Why does orthodontic treatment sometimes last
longer than anticipated?
- What is considered an emergency? How are those
handled?
- Are retainers necessary following orthodontic
treatment?
1.Why is orthodontics
important?
An attractive smile and improved self-image are just two of
the benefits of orthodontic treatment. Alleviating and preventing
physical health problems is just as important. Without treatment,
orthodontic problems can lead to gum disease or bone loss, tooth
decay, chewing and digestive problems, speech impairments, tooth
loss or excess wearing down of the teeth, and other dental injuries.
Back to top
2. 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. Orthodontists attended
an additional two to three years of a residency after dental school to
specialize in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental
and facial irregularities.
Back to top
3. At what age should I schedule an appointment
for an orthodontic screening for my child?
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.
Back to top
4. How do I schedule an appointment for an
initial consultation?
Simply call our office and we will be happy to schedule an
appointment for you. When you call, one member of our front office
staff will request some basic information from you so that we
may most effectively begin to take care of your orthodontic needs.
Back to top
5. Is it required that my family dentist refer
me to your office?
No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their
family dentists, yet many other patients take the initiative to
schedule an examination themselves. Orthodontic insurance coverage
will not be affected by how you become a patient in our office.
Back to top
6. What will happen at the initial consultation
appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient (and accompanying parent/guardian)
will be seen by the treatment coordinator who will familiarize
you with our office. The patient will have the recommended X-rays
taken to allow the doctor to make a proper diagnosis and treatment
recommendation following a brief, but thorough clinical examination.
Back to top
7.What will I learn from the initial consultation?
There are five essential questions that we will cover during
the initial examination:
1. Is there an orthodontic problem,
and if so, what is it?
2. What must be done to correct the problem?
3. What are some different treatment options available and what
are the pros and cons of each?
4. How long will the treatment take to complete?
5. How much will the treatment cost and what financing options
are available?
Back to top
8. How much will braces cost?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until
we have examined you or your child. We will cover the total
cost and the financing options available during the initial consultation.
We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs,
and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance
policy information and help to maximize your benefit and file
your claims.
Back to top
9. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific
orthodontic problem(s). In general, treatment times range from
12 months to 30 months (although very minor problems can often
be completed in fewer than 12 months.) The “average”
time frame a person is in full braces is approximately 20 months.
Back to top
10. Will I need to have teeth extracted for
braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best
orthodontic result. Straight teeth, a functional bite, and a balanced
facial profile are the goals of orthodontic treatment. With all
of the technological and scientific advancements in orthodontics
in recent years, often the removal of teeth can be avoided.
We will determine the specific recommendations for you after a
thorough evaluation of you and your orthodontic records.
Back to top
11. What are orthodontic records?
Orthodontic records are comprised of facial and dental digital
photographs, digital X-rays, and plaster models of your teeth.
These records provide the working data from which the doctors
can analyze your individual orthodontic needs and develop a thorough
treatment plan to achieve the desired results.
Back to top
12. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s
needs and at what point in treatment the patient has reached.
Most patients in braces will be seen every 8-10 weeks for the
majority of their treatment and on a shorter interval (5-6 weeks)
as needed to finish up the braces. If there are specific situations
that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments
accordingly.
Back to top
13. 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 8-10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal
school due to their orthodontic treatment. We will, nevertheless,
make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
Back to top
14. How do braces work?
The bands or brackets that are attached to the teeth during
treatment are what hold archwires in place in the mouth. It is
the archwires that apply force to each tooth that causes the teeth
to move in specific directions. Precisely shaping the archwire
or placing bends in the archwires are how individual forces are
applied to each tooth or groups of teeth. As a tooth moves, bone
gives way on one side and fills in on the other, much like moving
a stick through sand. Elastics, or rubber bands, are frequently
used to help in completing movements of the teeth that archwires
alone cannot accomplish.
Back to top
15. Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not “hurt.” After certain
visits, teeth may be sore for a few days, particularly right after
getting the braces placed initially. In these situations, over
the counter pain medications such as Advil® or Tylenol®
will ease the discomfort. After most visits, patients do not feel
any soreness at all.
Back to top
16. Will my teeth straighten out as they
grow or will my bite problem self-correct with time?
Usually not. The space available for the front teeth does
not increase as you grow. In fact, most of the time, after the
permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth
decreases with age. In addition, facial and jaw growth usually
continue the existing pattern and tend not to change on their
own without orthodontic or orthopedic intervention.
Back to top
17. What are the early warning signs of a
bad bite?
- Early or late loss of individual baby
teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting into
food
- Crowded, poorly positioned or blocked
out teeth
- Frequently biting the cheeks, lips
or the roof of the mouth
- Teeth that do not meet at all
- Finger-sucking or thumb-sucking habits
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion
to the face
Back to top
18. Are there foods that 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 or sticky candy and gum. You can avoid
most emergency (comfort) appointments to repair broken braces
by carefully following our instructions.
Back to top
19. Can I still play sports while wearing
braces?
Yes. We recommend wearing a mouth guard to protect your teeth,
especially when playing contact sports.
Back to top
20. How often should I brush my teeth while
wearing braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least three times a day—in
the morning following breakfast, after school or after lunch and before going to bed. It is also strongly urged that you floss
all of your teeth at least once a day. We will review how effective
your brushing and flossing is at every orthodontic appointment.
Back to top
21. Do I need to see my family dentist while
in braces?
YES! Regular checkups with your family dentist are very important
while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the recommended
intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.
Back to top
22. Can orthodontic correction occur while
a child still has some 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.
Back to top
23. What is Phase 1 (Early) treatment?
Phase 1 treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children
between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase 1 treatment lasts about 12-14
months. The primary objective of Phase 1 treatment is to address
significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe
and to steer the patient’s skeletal and/or dental development
onto the right path.
Back to top
24. Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine
whether a patient will need an expander. An expander is indicated
where there is a discrepancy in the width of the upper jaw that
is contributing to crowding, crossbite(s) or impaction of permanent
teeth.
Back to top
25. Does everyone need Phase 1 treatment?
No. Only certain bite or eruption problems require early orthodontic
treatment. The most critical problems that should be started with
treatment early are underbites and significantly constricted (narrow)
arch forms. The problems of each patient must be assessed individually
to determine the specific treatment options and the appropriate
timing of the treatment.
Back to top
26. Will my child need full braces if he/she
has Phase 1 treatment?
It is best to assume that your child will need full braces
after Phase 1 treatment. After the permanent teeth have erupted,
treatment usually is necessary to complete the work that was started
in the early phase. The period following the Phase 1 treatment
is called the “resting” or “supervision”
period, during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored.
Throughout this period, patients and parents will be kept informed
of future treatment recommendations.
Back to top
27. What is Phase 2 treatment?
Phase 2 treatment (the final stage involving active tooth
movement and bite correction) involves the use of braces on all
of the adult teeth to guide them into their most optimal positions.
Esthetics, function and stability of the final tooth positions
are all key components in determining each patient’s treatment
plan.
Back to top
28. Is it too late to have braces if I am
already an adult?
Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. A growing
number of our patients are adults and nationwide 25% of all orthodontic
patients are adults! No one is ever too old to have orthodontic
treatment.
Back to top
29.
Can I wear braces even though I have crowns, root canals or missing
teeth?
Yes, you can. A tooth with a crown or root canal 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 to
prepare for restoration of the missing teeth.
Back to top
30.
Why does orthodontic treatment sometimes last longer than anticipated?
The treatment time to correct a patient’s overall malocclusion
is only an estimate. Patients grow at different rates and respond
uniquely to orthodontic treatment. Patient cooperation, however,
is the single best way to keep the treatment progressing so as
to finish on time! Patients who cooperate well with wearing rubber
bands or other appliances as directed, keep their teeth clean
and take care not to damage their braces, will see the fastest
treatment results.
Back to top
31.
What is considered an emergency? How are those handled?
If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks,
you should call our office as soon as possible. In many cases,
we can address these issues over the telephone. If necessary,
we will schedule a “comfort” appointment to have you
come in to take care of the problem at the office. If you have
a broken bracket or band and your next regular appointment is
coming up in the next week or so, you should still call the office,
for we may be able to just add extra time for the repair to your
regular appointment (if there is no current discomfort.) If in
doubt, it is best to call us to verify what the repair plan will
be.
Back to top
32.
Are retainers necessary following orthodontic treatment?
A retainer is a device that is usually removable and is worn after
the braces are finished. The retainer is designed to prevent your
teeth from shifting out of their final positions while the bone
around your teeth stabilizes. The positions of the teeth are constantly
affected by lip, tongue and chewing forces and therefore wearing
retainers is the only sure way to prevent unwanted shifting of
the teeth. We usually recommend full-time wear (24-hours) of the
retainers for six months once the braces are removed, then one can
go to just wearing the retainers while sleeping.
Back to top
|
