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1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves. 2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?The American Association of Orthodontists recommends 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. 3. Will my 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. 4. 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. 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. 5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will familiarize you with our office and prepare you for the initial exam. The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam. For more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page. 6. What will I learn from the initial examination?There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?Removing teeth is occasionally 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 often not necessary for orthodontic treatment. Evaluation of diagnostic records will need to be completed for a final decision on extractions. 8. 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 22 months. This can be influenced by growth, and patient compliance. 9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the approximate cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims. A more accurate financial estimate will be provided at the consultation visit. Click here to view our financial policies. 10. How often will I have appointments?Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 5 to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly. 11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school/work?Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments during after-school or work hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 5 to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school or work due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs. Long appointments are typically scheduled in the morning. Regrettably, if there is a high frequency of missed premium time appointments, only morning appointments will be offered. Click here to view our Appointment Policies. 12. 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 after the appointment, so we ask that parents check in at the front desk when picking up your child. 13. Do braces hurt?After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications 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!” More discomfort is likely to be experienced at the beginning of treatment, immediately after the placement of appliance/braces. 14. Can I return to school or work the day I receive my braces?Yes. There is no reason to miss school or work because of an orthodontic appointment. 15. Do you give shots?No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment. 16. 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. 17. Can I still play sports?Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports. 18. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?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. 19. 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. Click here for a full list of foods to avoid. 20. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?Patients should brush their teeth at least three times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss his/her teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary. 21. What is an emergency appointment?
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