- At what age should my child be seen by an orthodontist?
- Will braces hurt?
- Why is orthodontics important?
- Will I still be able to play sports?
- Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
- Are retainers necessary and how long will I have to wear one?
- Do adults wear braces?
- Will I have to have any teeth removed for braces?
- How long will it take to complete treatment?
- Can my child return to school the day they receive their braces?
- Do you give shots?
- Do you use recycled braces?
- Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
- Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
- How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
- What if the emergency occurs after normal office hours?
- Can orthodontic correction occur while a child still has some baby teeth?
- What is Phase One (early) treatment?
- Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
1. At what age should my child be seen by an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child be evaluated by age seven. Early detection of some orthodontic problems is important in order to take interceptive corrective action and avoid more difficult treatment later. Most patients, however, are treated during adolescence between the ages of 11-15.
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2. Will braces hurt?
Most orthodontic patients experience some discomfort the first week after their braces are put on, and right after braces are tightened. This results from the teeth moving through the bone to their new position. Advances in technology have provided much gentler forces, which greatly reduce soreness. You can use aspirin; non-aspirin pain reliever or ibuprofen to ease the discomfort.
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3. Why is orthodontics important?
An attractive smile and improved self-image are just a few of the benefits of orthodontic treatment. Alleviating and preventing physical health problems is just as important. Without treatment, orthodontic problems can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction, chewing and digestive difficulties, speech impairments, tooth loss and other dental injuries.
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3. Will I still be able to play sports?
Yes. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their teeth by wearing a mouth guard while participating in any sporting activity. Mouth guards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in an exciting variety of colors and patterns.
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5. Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment.
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6. Are retainers necessary and how long will I have to wear one?
A retainer is a device worn full or part-time after braces have been removed. The retainer is designed to prevent your teeth from drifting or moving while the bone around your teeth hardens and stabilizes. The longer you wear your retainer, the better your chances that you teeth will not relapse. Retainers provide assurance that your teeth will stay in favorable alignment while your jaw continues to grow or develop.
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7. Do adults wear braces?
YES! Many adults are seeking the treatment they did not or could not have when they were younger. Technological advances in the industry have provided excellent treatment options for adults. We are pleased to offer Invisalign, a “brace-free” way of straightening teeth.
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8. Will I have to have any teeth removed for braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes needed to get the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are always the goal. However, we are very conservative when it comes to requesting that teeth be extracted. Today’s technology has resulted in advanced orthodontic procedures, which have greatly reduced the need for removing teeth.
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9. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment may take between 6 months to 30 month, or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient’s cooperation, and the degree of movement possible. Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem.
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10. Can my child return to school the day they receive their braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss a complete day of school because of an orthodontic appointment.
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11. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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12. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely Not! Although our office routinely recycles papers, cardboard, cans and glass containers. We feel strongly that every patient have braces and appliances are never previously used. Each brace is milled to specific tolerances, angles, torque and tip and it is essential that rigid factory specifications be adhered to. We will never use recycled braces.
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13. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Yes. Regular check-ups with your family dentist are very important while in braces. Your family dentist will assist in determining how often you should be seen for cleaning appointments and dental check-ups while you are in braces.
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14. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, very complete instructions and a comprehensive list will be provided regarding foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, and all sticky foods, caramel and taffy. We do allow the chewing of sugarless Trident and similar chewing gums without major problems occurring. Many emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces can be avoided by carefully following instructions regarding foods.
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15. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least three times each day: after breakfast, lunch (or as soon as they get home from school), and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces on and will provide a prescription for a special fluoride gel to help protect the enamel against marks and decay.
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16. What if the emergency occurs after normal office hours?
Our office is available after normal working hours. Simply call the office and wait for the answering machine to answer. The recorded message will give you the number where we can be reached in the event of an emergency that will not wait until morning.
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17. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child still has some baby teeth?
Yes. However, we do not recommend braces for every patient who visits our office. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not ready for treatment, we will follow that patient’s growth and development until the appropriate time for treatment to begin.
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18. What is Phase One (early) treatment?
Phase One treatment is usually initiated for children between the ages of 7 and 10 and typically takes about 12-16 months. Objectives of Phase One treatment include the development of space to accommodate all of the permanent teeth, correcting the skeletal relationship (“overbite, underbite, crossbite, openbite,”etc.) between the upper and lower jaw, and to improve a child’s psychological self-image and self-esteem, both very important during their formative years.
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19. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period of time following Phase One treatment is called the “resting period”, during which growth and tooth eruption is closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed as to any future treatment recommendations.
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