 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.
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.
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.
4. 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.
5. Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
11. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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.
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.
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 occuring. Many emergency appointments
to repair broken or damaged braces can be avoided by carefully following
instructions regarding foods.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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