Q: Who should
wear braces?
A: Braces are worn by both children and adults, not only to improve
the attractiveness of your smile, but also because braces correct
improper alignment of teeth that can lead to gum disease and early
tooth loss. Properly aligned teeth also make it easier to chew all
types of food and eliminate the headaches and pain caused by uneven
chewing.
Q: When
should I visit the orthodontist?
A: Some orthodontic corrections need to be made early (3 to 5 years of
age), but ordinarily children should be checked by our orthodontists
at the time permanent teeth begin to erupt to detect any deficiencies
in the child's teeth formation; this is usually at 8-10 years of age.
Adults should visit the orthodontist to improve the appearance of
their smile and their overall dental health. It's never too late to
have a beautiful smile!
Q: How long
will my orthodontic treatment last?
A: We expect your treatment to last from 18 to 30 months, though this
will vary depending on your individual case. Your cooperation in
keeping scheduled orthodontic appointments, maintaining proper
hygiene, and taking care of your braces may allow us to finish your
orthodontic treatment early.
Q: What can I
expect on my first visit?
A: Your initial visit will give you an opportunity to meet the doctor
and our knowledgeable staff, who will answer any questions. They will
give you a complimentary clinical examination to determine a course of
treatment and an estimate of the treatment duration and fee. If we
find that treatment is necessary, we will take the required x-rays,
and a convenient appointment will be made for your fitting.
Q: What kind
of braces are available?
A: In the past, there was only one type of braces available, and it
wasn't designed for looks. Modern technology gives you choices for
braces, including traditional stainless steel braces and clear ceramic
braces.
Q: How much
do braces cost?
A: Orthodontic fees depend on the complexity of the case, the age of
the patient, the type of appliances used, and the estimated length of
treatment. Since every case is different, a visit to our office for a
complimentary examination will allow us to give you an idea of the
fee.
Q: Do braces
hurt?
A: There have been some fantastic advances in the way we do things now
in orthodontics to make treatment more comfortable for our patients.
These include smaller, smoother brackets, and gentler wires which
provide a continuous small force over a long period of time rather
than a strong force for only a short period. Typically there is some
discomfort two to three days after each adjustment that over the
counter pain relievers can take care of.
Q: Will
braces affect playing sports?
A: You should be able to play just about any sport or activity.
Although we do highly recommend wearing a mouth guard in contact
sports or any sport where there is a chance you can get hit in the
face.
Q: Why are
retainers so important?
A: Retainers help keep your teeth straight at the completion of
treatment. If they are not worn as instructed, your teeth will move,
or tend to relapse. Retainers are particularly important right after
the braces are removed while the teeth stabilize.
