1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
2. Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?
3. Why should malocclusions be treated?
4. Am I a candidate for orthodontic treatment?
5. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
6. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
7. What will I learn from the initial examination?
8. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
9. How long will it take to complete treatment?
10. How much will Orthodontic treatment cost? Are financing options available?
11. How will my Orthodontic insurance work?
12. Is it too late to have Orthodontic treatment if I am already an adult?
13. Can I have Orthodontic treatment even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
14. Do you offer Lingual braces?
15. What is Orthodontic Microimplant Anchorage?
16. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening for my child?
17. Will teeth straighten out as they grow?
18. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
19. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
20. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
21. Will my child need an expander?
22. How often will I have appointments?
23. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
24. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
25. Do braces hurt?
26. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
27. Do you give shots?
28. Do you use recycled braces?
29. Can I still play sports?
30. Do I need to see my family dentist during Orthodontic treatment?
31. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
32. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
33. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
34. Do I have to wear Retainers after Orthodontic treatment?
    

1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
No, it is not. Although many of our patients are referred by their family dentist or our past and existing patients, many others take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves. Back to top

2. Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?
Orthodontic specialists (Orthodontists) have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments. Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. Proper diagnosis, treatment planning and completion of the treatment are essential for satisfactory results. Back to top

3.Why should malocclusions be treated?
According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusions can result in a variety of problems. Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss, which may contribute to tooth decay and/or gum disease. Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping. Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear. Openbites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments. Ultimately, orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile-it creates a healthier you. Back to top

4. Am I a candidate for orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontics is not merely for improving the aesthetics of the smile; orthodontic treatment improves bad bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions occur as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment. Malocclusions affect the way you smile, chew, clean your teeth or feel about your smile. Back to top

5. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office or send us an e-mail or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.

Click here to make an appointment.

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6. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We will take the necessary preliminary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper initial diagnosis. The doctor will then complete a thorough exam.
To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.

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7. What will I learn from the initial examination?
There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:

· Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
· What must be done to correct the problem?
· Will any teeth need to be removed?
· How long will the treatment take to complete?
· How much will the treatment cost and the financial arrangements?
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8. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
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 not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.
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9. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 20-24 months.
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10. How much will Orthodontic treatment cost? Are financing options available?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We are very flexible in our payment plans and will do our best to make Orthodontic treatment affordable for everyone. Back to top

11.How will my Orthodontic insurance work?
Our staff will be more than happy to help you understand your insurance benefits. We will provide you with a predetermination form that will outline the kind of treatment you will need and an estimated time and fee for your treatment. You then have to send the form to your insurance company for their approval. After you start your treatment we will provide you with a receipt after each payment that you can send to your insurance company for reimbursement of your benefits. Back to top

12. Is it too late to have Orthodontic treatment if I am already an adult?
Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults as well as adolescents and children. A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!
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13. Can I have Orthodontic treatment even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.
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14. Do you offer Lingual braces? Yes. We offer Lingual (attached to the back of the teeth) braces as well as other aesthetics Orthodontic treatments. To read more about type of braces we offer see our Types of braces Page.
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15. What is Orthodontic Microimplant Anchorage? Microimplant Anchorage is a small screw in the gum tissue that provides maximum skeletal anchorage for Orthodontic tooth movement. This new technique has provided numerous exciting possibilities in Orthodontic tooth movement that were not feasible in the past. Back to top

16. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening for my child?
The Canadian and American Associations of Orthodontists recommend an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.
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17. Will teeth straighten out as they grow?
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.
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18. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.
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19. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
Phase one treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.
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20. 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 following Phase One treatment is called the "resting period," during which growth and tooth eruptions are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.
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21. Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
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22. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every five to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Click here to view our appointment policies.

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23. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled five to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
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24. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return for their next appointment.
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25. Do braces hurt?
With today’s advanced wires and braces the forces applied to teeth are very gentle and braces generally do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all!

We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”
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26. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
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27. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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28. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
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29. Can I still play sports?
Yes, but we recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
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30. Do I need to see my family dentist during Orthodontic treatment?
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.
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31. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
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32. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss his or her teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.
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33. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you. For more information see our Emergency Information Page. Back to top

34. Do I have to wear Retainers after Orthodontic treatment?
Yes. When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you've put in so far. Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth. Back to top