FAQ

Initial Visit

Do you charge for an initial visit?
No. As a courtesy to you and your family dentist, we will always discuss the feasibility of braces or teeth straightening without charging a fee.

At what age do you start seeing patients?
As a rule of thumb, we like to evaluate young patients after the 6-year molars erupt and the front permanent teeth just start to appear. This is usually around age 7.

Why do you evaluate patients so young?
The purpose of early evaluation is to inform and observe, more than to start treatment. At this early age, eventual needs may be identified and discussed. A small percentage of this young group may need some form of intervention. More often than not, we can place our younger patients on observation and see them back every 6 months. This allows us to continually evaluate for future orthodontic needs and to get to know our patients and their families.

How long will the first visit take?
The first visit can last anywhere between 30 minutes and 1 hour depending on how ready the patient is for treatment. We may simply start with a visual exam and explain our findings or we may suggest diagnostic records including photographs, one or more digital X-rays, and an intraoral scan of the teeth and bite.

Do you take patients transferring from out of town?
Yes!  We look forward to meeting you and will communicate with your original orthodontist prior to your visit.

Do you have any adult patients?
While a majority of our patients are children and adolescents, approximately 1/3 of our patients are adults.

What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
An orthodontist must first become a general dentist.  Following dental training, an orthodontist completes over 2 years of full-time training in orthodontics resulting in a nationally accepted specialty certificate.  As an orthodontic specialist, these doctors limit their practice to straightening teeth and dentofacial orthopedics.

Can I make all my appointments in the afternoon after school and late in the day?
In order to have early and late appointments available for the majority of patients, some procedures need to be accomplished during the hours of 9 and 3. We will do our best to work with your schedules and accommodate your family needs.

Do you see patients for emergencies?
Yes, our contact information for an emergency is posted on the website as well as the phone answering machine.

Financial

Can we make payments?
Yes. Whether or not you have insurance or a dental plan, we will structure a convenient payment plan that will allow you to pay for necessary services over a period of time that usually coincides with your treatment duration.

How do you handle insurance?
After verification of coverage, we will agree to bill and collect from an insurance carrier. However, we ask patients to understand that if coverage ceases or changes, the patient is still responsible for the agreed upon fee.

Do you take American Express, Master Card and/or Visa?
Yes, we accept all major credit cards.

Do you have direct debit?
Yes, we have arrangements for direct debit.

Do you charge interest?
No we do not.

Do you give family discounts?
We have special programs and fees for multiple patients from the same family.

Types of Treatment

What is Phase 1 Treatment?
Phase 1 treatment is delivered early and before all permanent teeth have erupted. The purpose of this early care is to start correcting harmful malocclusions that may be more difficult or impossible to correct later. Phase 1 treatment does not eliminate the need for conventional orthodontics done during adolescence. Examples of phase 1 treatment include correcting individual tooth or jaw crossbites and severe underbites and overbites where function, esthetic or psychological concerns are identified.

What is Phase 2 Treatment?
Phase 2 treatment is conventional orthodontic treatment. It may start while the last baby teeth are falling out and continue until the 12 year molars have been evaluated or straightened. This treatment usually lasts between 2 and 3 years.

How do I know if Phase 1, 2 or both type of treatments are necessary?
An early visit is suggested. About 10 to 20 percent of young patients may benefit from phase 1 treatment. Most other patients are observed until the appropriate time to initiate care.

Does early treatment ensure a better result?
Not always. Experience and research shows that early treatment achieves meaningful goals but the quality of the result is determined at the end of care. For this reason, we do not encourage early treatment unless significant benefits can be achieved.

Moving of teeth (Mechanics)

I need to be pre-medicated for the dentist. Do I need to take my medicine for the orthodontist?
Yes.

How long do braces take? How do braces work?

On average it takes 2 years to straighten teeth.  Sometimes treatment times can be shorter or longer, depending on a variety of factors.  We do our best to estimate treatment times accurately, but it is an estimate.  During your treatment, we’ll do our best to let you know how treatment is progressing.  Crooked teeth are gradually moved into desired position with shaped wires attached to the brackets (braces).  Each visit consists of adjustments to the braces and wires, gradually moving the process along.

Do you use recycled braces?
No.

Retainers

Do retainers need to be worn after braces?
Yes, retainers are worn full-time for about 6 months followed by nighttime wear indefinitely.

Why do teeth get crooked after wearing braces or aligners?
Teeth move throughout life whether you have worn braces or not. It is part of the natural aging process. This is why retainer wear is recommended indefinitely to maintain your orthodontic results over lifetime.

How about retainers glued to the backs of teeth?
For some patients, permanent retainers are attached to the inside of the upper and lower teeth to keep them in place. This requires special hygiene procedures and regular recalls to the family dentist.

Wisdom teeth (Third Molars)

Do wisdom teeth cause teeth to get crooked?
Research has shown this not to be true.

Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Wisdom teeth do not cause crooked teeth but they can cause gum problems, swelling, and trap food below the gum tissue causing infection. It is much nicer to plan for their removal rather than have them removed under emergency conditions.

When is a good time to have wisdom teeth removed?
The best time according to oral surgeons is when approximately 2/3 or so of the root is formed. On average, most patients get their wisdom teeth removed in their late teens or early 20s.

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMJ)

Can braces or orthodontic treatment treat or cause TMJ problems?
Scientific literature has documented that there is not a direct link between orthodontic treatment or occlusion and TMJ. Problems with TMJ can be present or absent in the presence of all types of good and bad bites.

Health Impact

What are the health benefits of wearing braces?
Orthodontics helps to improve the comfort of the bite, make it easier to brush and floss your teeth for good dental health, and many times helps to balance the facial musculature. The positive self-esteem benefits are immeasurable.

How do enlarged adenoids and allergies affect braces?
Mouth breathing, as a result of enlarged adenoids or tonsils or allergies, may cause your upper and lower jaws to grow apart and elongate facial form during growth. This can result in crowding and often narrow dental arches.

How does a tongue thrust or low tongue posture affect braces?
The effects are similar to enlarged adenoids. Plus, the pressure on front teeth from the tongue thrusting can cause protrusion and spacing.