Is a
referral necessary?
What is
an orthodontist?
Why
should I see an orthodontic specialist?
How do I
choose an orthodontist?
Why
should children have an orthodontic screening no later than
age 7?
What are
the benefits of early treatment?
Why are
so many young children in braces today?
How can
the cosmetic changes of orthodontic treatment affect you?
Am I too
old for orthodontic treatment?
How do I
know if I really need braces?
How much
do braces cost?
Will my
insurance cover the cost of braces?
How long
does orthodontic treatment take?
Do
braces hurt?
Can I
still play sports?
Will my
braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
What is
TMJ?
What is
a retainer?
Do
wisdom teeth cause crowding?
_____________________________
Is a
referral necessary?
No. If you think you have an orthodontic problem,
you may contact us directly. We do require that patients
have a current dental cleaning before beginning orthodontic
treatment. As well, we require you to have regular biannual
cleanings and dental check-ups by your dentist throughout
orthodontic treatment.
What is an orthodontist?
To be a certified licensed specialist in orthodontics, strict criteria must be met. First, a degree in
general dentistry is completed (4 years in length). After
which, a two to three year university graduate Masters program in
the specialty of orthodontics is undertaken, certified by
the American Dental Association.
Orthodontist’s have a minimum of a 10 years of overall
university education to qualify for there specialty status!
It's important to note that any general dentist can limit
his or her practice activity to orthodontics and even
advertise his preference of practice to the public. Only
orthodontists are certified specialists by law!
Why should I see an orthodontic
specialist?
Orthodontists have two or three years of highly specialized
training above and beyond that of a general dentist in
correcting jaw and bite irregularities. An orthodontic
specialist does only orthodontics. Other types of dentists
can offer braces to their patients, but lack the
intensive training and specialized experience of an
orthodontist. Just as we seek the opinions of medical
specialists, such as cardiologists and dermatologists, for
specific medical problems, it is important to choose the
proper dental specialist for cosmetic smile and bite
correction.
How do I choose an orthodontist?
There are many factors that should be considered when
deciding on an orthodontic specialist. Most importantly, you
should be provided with a thorough explanation of what is
involved and be informed throughout your orthodontic
treatment. You should feel comfortable asking as many
questions as you would like. We truly care about each and
every patient and will make every effort to insure their
comfort throughout treatment.
Why should children have an
orthodontic screening no later than age 7?
The American Associations of Orthodontists
recommend that every child have an orthodontic screening by
the age of seven. By age 7, enough permanent teeth have come
in and jaw growth has occurred that the orthodontist can
identify current problems, anticipate future problems and
alleviate parents' concerns. For example:
Even if treatment is not indicated at that age, this
appointment will serve as a baseline from which we can
monitor future growth and development.
What are the benefits of early
treatment?
Early treatment presents the opportunity to:
Why are so many young children in
braces today?
Initiating early interceptive treatment in children who do
not yet have all of their permanent teeth often enables us
to utilize their growth, allowing a better long-term result.
Interceptive orthodontics is geared towards children ages 6
to 9, when teeth and jaw bones are most successfully
influenced during this period of rapid growth. Not all
children need interceptive treatment. Typical problems which
can be addressed include: over-crowded teeth, cross bite,
overbite, under bite, and thumb sucking habits. These
problems can affect the function of the teeth and face and
can cause difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing.
Some common goals of early treatment
include creating enough space for all of the permanent teeth
to erupt, and correcting an imbalance in growth between the
upper and lower jaws. Children who have had early treatment
generally will need to wear braces again when all of their
permanent teeth are in. This second phase of treatment with
full braces is generally shorter and far easier than
treatment would have been if the patient had not had the
benefit of early intervention. More importantly, we are able
to achieve the best end result for these children. Early
interceptive treatment often prevents the need to extract
permanent teeth and/or surgery of the jaws during later
adolescent comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
How can the cosmetic changes of
orthodontic treatment affect you?
How one feels about his/her looks has an impact on
self-esteem and career success. Orthodontic treatment can
make a tremendous life-long change in the appearance of a
persons smile, teeth, face and overall well being.
Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
More and more adults are seeking orthodontic
treatment in order to make cosmetic improvements to their
smile. Adults comprise over 30% of patients in orthodontic
practices today. Moving teeth with braces is not limited by
age. The teeth and bones of adult patients respond to
orthodontic movement in a similar fashion to younger
patients. Technological advances in orthodontic materials
allow us to offer cosmetic alternatives such as clear braces
or invisible removable ‘aligners.’ Occasionally adults
require a combination of orthodontic and jaw surgery
treatment to correct severe bite problems. The surgical
treatment positions the jaw in the proper position utilizing
the expertise of an oral surgeon in partnership with the
orthodontist.
How do I know if I really need
braces?
Patients generally require orthodontic treatment for three
different reasons. 1) They do not like the way their smile
looks. 2) Their bite is incorrect and is putting extra
pressure on the gums, teeth, and joints. 3) Their dentist
needs to perform some restorative work and needs the teeth
to be moved orthodontically beforehand.
How much do braces cost?
Our fees are based upon treatment time and the
severity of the case. Because there is such a wide range in
individual treatment complexity, we cannot quote a fee
without first examining a patient. We do try to provide
payment options that are sufficiently flexible to
accommodate most financial situations.
Will my insurance cover the cost of braces?
Some dental insurance plans will assist with a portion of
the fee. If you would like to call our office with your
insurance information, we will be happy to call your company
and let you know what your policy covers.
How long does orthodontic
treatment take?
The length of treatment varies from 3 months to 3 years
depending on complexity with the average treatment time
being approximately 24 months. Before you start treatment,
we will let you know the length of time your treatment
should take.
Do braces hurt?
Technological advances in orthodontic materials have led to
new wires that generate a light consistent force for tooth
movement. Generally, patients experience little or no pain. The
greatest period of adjustment occurs during the first week
of braces while the cheeks, lips, and tongue become
accustomed to the braces.
Can I still play sports?
Yes, however we ask patients to wear a protective mouth
guard while playing any contact sports. We recommend a
specific mouth guard for braces.
Will my braces interfere with
playing musical instruments?
Playing wind or brass instruments, such as the trumpet, will
require some adaptation to braces. With practice and a
period of adjustment, braces typically do not interfere with
the playing of musical instruments.
What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. It is the joint
which attaches your lower jaw to the base of the skull and
is used for chewing. Like any other joint in the body, some
people develop problems with there TMJ such as clenching,
grinding, locking, cracking noises, and associated muscle or
headache pain. We use splints and braces to improve or
relieve problems associated with the jaw joints.
What is a retainer?
A retainer is a removable appliance that is fitted
to your teeth to hold them in their new, corrected position
after your braces are removed. We use retainers that,
depending on the patient's preference, are highly colorful
with different designs or are made of clear plastic that are
virtually invisible. Typically, retainers are worn full-time
for 12 months and gradually reduced to bedtime wear 2-3
nights a week.
Do wisdom teeth cause crowding?
Wisdom teeth do not directly cause
crowding. However, they sometimes push the 2nd molars out of
line causing instability in the bite which can lead to
shifting of the teeth. Also, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection
and damage of the surrounding healthy teeth. Therefore, in
consultation with your dentist, we often suggest having
wisdom teeth removed at approximately 15-18 years of age. In
most cases, this is a couple of years after we have finished
your orthodontic treatment
