FAQs

Orthodontics is the field of dental specialty that focuses on diagnosing, preventing and treating dental and facial irregularities, including misaligned teeth and jaws. An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received two to three years of additional training following dental school in managing tooth movement and guiding facial development.

The American Association of Orthodontists® recommends that children receive their initial orthodontic screening by age 7. At this age, several permanent teeth have erupted and any developing problems will be easier to diagnose and monitor.

Your child should see an orthodontist around age 7 for an initial evaluation. This does not always mean treatment is needed right away. It allows our orthodontists to check jaw growth, tooth development, crowding and bite alignment so we can recommend treatment at the right time if needed.

No! While many orthodontic patients are children or teenagers, more adults are choosing orthodontic treatment to improve their smiles, bite function and oral health. As long as your teeth and supporting structures are healthy, you may be a candidate for treatment.

No. Adults can often benefit from braces, clear braces or Invisalign®. Our orthodontists will evaluate your teeth, gums, bite and goals to determine which orthodontic option may be right for you.

There are several orthodontic treatment options available today. Common options include metal braces, ceramic or clear braces and Invisalign clear aligners. During your consultation, our orthodontists will help you determine which treatment option is right for your smile, bite and lifestyle.

Braces and Invisalign can both be effective, but the better option depends on your orthodontic needs. Braces may be recommended for more complex tooth movement or bite correction. Invisalign may be a good fit for patients who want removable clear aligners and can wear them consistently as directed. Our orthodontists will help you compare your options during your consultation.

Yes! Clear ceramic braces, clear aligners and other options can help straighten your teeth more discreetly. We understand that braces can impact a patient’s confidence and self-esteem. Our team wants you to feel and look your best during and after orthodontic treatment, so call us today to see if discreet straightening techniques are right for you.

Braces may cause mild soreness or pressure after they are first placed or adjusted. This is normal and usually improves as your teeth adjust. If you experience sharp pain, a broken bracket or a poking wire, please call our office so we can help.

Orthodontic treatment times vary depending on the patient, the type of treatment and the complexity of the case. During your consultation, our orthodontists will create a treatment plan that fits your orthodontic needs and explain your estimated timeline.

Treatment length depends on your teeth, bite, age, treatment type and how well you follow instructions. Some patients need shorter treatment, while more complex cases may take longer. Our team will review your estimated treatment time during your exam.

Most patients visit our office regularly during orthodontic treatment so we can monitor progress and make adjustments as needed. Appointment frequency depends on your treatment plan, but many braces patients are seen about every 4 to 6 weeks.

It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene while you are wearing braces. To keep your smile healthy while wearing braces, we encourage you to follow these steps:

• Brush your teeth three times a day, especially after meals
• Clean around your brackets and wires thoroughly
• Floss every day, even if you require a floss threader to reach between your braces
• Rinse your teeth each time you clean them
• Pay attention to the list of foods to avoid with braces

We understand caring for your smile may be difficult while wearing braces, but we encourage you to maintain good oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene while wearing braces may result in tooth damage, tooth decay or prolonged orthodontic treatment.

You should brush at least three times a day while wearing braces, especially after meals. Be sure to brush around the brackets, wires and gumline to remove food and plaque.

Flossing with braces may take more time, but it is important. You may need a floss threader, orthodontic flosser or water flosser to clean between your teeth and under the wires. Our team can show you the best technique during your visit.

While wearing braces, you should avoid foods that are hard, sticky, chewy or likely to damage brackets and wires. This may include gum, sticky candy, hard candy, popcorn kernels, ice, hard pretzels and biting directly into hard foods like whole apples or corn on the cob.

Yes. Most patients need to wear a retainer after braces or Invisalign to help keep teeth from shifting out of alignment. Our orthodontists will explain what type of retainer you need and how often to wear it.

If you experience an orthodontic emergency, such as a broken or lost appliance, we urge you to call our office as soon as possible. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled soon, please call us immediately to let us know that you need an appliance repaired. We will also provide any needed instructions on what to do until you can come see our orthodontists.

Orthodontic emergencies may include:

• Loose brackets
• Loose bands
• Poking wires
• Wire irritations
• Lost separators
• Pain caused by braces or other orthodontic appliances

If you have a broken bracket or poking wire, call our office so we can give you instructions and schedule a repair if needed. Do not try to cut the wire yourself. If the wire is irritating your cheek or gums, orthodontic wax may help protect the area until we can see you.

Orthodontic headgear is a very important part of some patients’ treatments. Headgear creates the force needed to guide the growth of the face and jaws until they are in their proper positions. It is also used to properly position teeth and prevent them from moving. We may recommend headgear if braces alone cannot accomplish the desired results. There are two main types of orthodontic headgear that are often used; our orthodontists will determine which is best suited to your unique needs. Each type of headgear attaches to your braces to achieve proper positioning of the jaw and teeth.

We are committed to treating your orthodontic problems so you can achieve a smile that is straighter, healthier, more functional and more attractive. Some of the most common orthodontic problems we see at our office include the following:

• Overbites
• Underbites
• Open bites
• Crossbites
• Upper front teeth protrusion
• Unmatched dental midlines

Dentofacial orthopedics is a type of orthodontic treatment focused on the control and modification of facial growth. Dentofacial orthopedic treatment works to normalize the growth of bone structure and repair related imbalances of the face and jaws.

Please speak with our team. We take your fear seriously and will work with you to help you feel more comfortable in our office. There are many strategies that we can use to help reduce anxiety and fear, including communication, breaks during treatment and techniques to reduce anxiety and discomfort.