Q. Should my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?

A. Not necessarily. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

Q. What age is appropriate to schedule an appointment for orthodontic screening?

A. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this time, several permanent teeth in most cases have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

Q. Why should crooked teeth be straightened?

A. Straight teeth will certainly give you a nicer smile and greater self-esteem, but, just as important, straight teeth are easier to clean properly and tooth wear over time is reduced.

Q. Do braces hurt?

A. after certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications’ such as Advil or Tylenol will ease discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work.”

Q. Will I need to have teeth extracted in order to get braces?

A. Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is no always necessary for orthodontic treatment.

Q. Can I still play sports while wearing braces?

A. Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.

Q. Can I return to school/work after getting my braces?

A. Yes, there is no reason to miss school or work because of an orthodontic appointment.

Q. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?

A. Yes! Regular check-ups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.

Q. How often will I have appointments?

A. Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 4-8 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent nourishing, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Q. How important is patient cooperation during orthodontic treatment?

A. Successful orthodontic treatment is a cooperative effort between the orthodontist and patient. The patient must carefully clean teeth, wear rubber bands, headgear or other appliances as prescribed and keep scheduled appointments. Regular visits to the family dentist must continue during orthodontic treatment, and patients who have a history of concern about periodontal (gum) disease may need to visit a periodontist on a regular basis. Insufficient patient cooperation can cause permanent damage to the teeth and will lengthen time in braces.

Q. How long will treatment take?

A. Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months.