Frequently Asked Questions

No, we provide options. We want you to have options in your orthodontic treatment, so in addition to metal braces, our doctors offer clear braces and clear aligners, a form of invisible braces.

When you begin treatment, you’ll need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances. We recommend you choose soft foods to eat with braces at school or work, including any of the following:

• Dairy – soft cheese, yogurt, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads – soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
• Grains – pasta, soft-cooked rice
• Meats/Poultry – soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables – mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits – bananas, apple sauce,
• Treats – ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, gelatin, soft cake

It is very important to avoid foods that could result in broken brackets, loose wires, or broken appliances. Examples of foods that you should avoid:

• Chewy foods such as bagels, fruit leathers, or beef jerky
• Sticky foods like caramel candy, licorice, and marshmallows
• Crunchy foods like chips, raw carrots, raw celery, and popcorn
• Hard foods such as hard candy, hard breadsticks, or pizza crust
• Foods that require biting into such as corn on the cob and apples. You can still enjoy these foods by slicing the apples or removing the corn from the cob.

A common question asked, “How long after getting braces can I eat normal foods? We tell patients that it’s best to avoid foods that can damage braces throughout the  treatment period. If you can’t say no to the craving, eat with extreme caution.

Before brushing, do a quick rinse with water. This will dislodge any food particles stuck between the wires or brackets. Brush beginning at the gum line, using a 45-degree angle of approach. As you move towards the brackets, brush from both the top and the bottom, ensuring that the bristles reach under the wires and around the brackets. This process may take some extra time in the beginning, but once you are used to it, it will be routine for you. Follow up with a thorough flossing.

We recommend using an electric toothbrush such as Sonicare or Oral-B. If you do not decide to use an electric toothbrush, use a toothbrush with soft bristles.

Generally, braces are not painful. However, you may feel a little sore or uncomfortable immediately after you first get them. This soreness is normal, and it will not last long.

A saltwater rinse can help relieve the soreness and inflammation. Dissolve a single teaspoon of salt in a full cup of lukewarm water and swish around your mouth for a few minutes. If soreness persists, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you experience lip, cheek, or tongue irritation in the weeks after getting braces, some wax can alleviate the problem quickly.

The amount of time that you will need to wear braces varies, depending on several things such as the severity of your bite problem. Most patients need to wear braces for 12 to 24 months, but this can be shorter or longer depending on your case. Your doctor will discuss this with you and give you a general idea of what you can expect. After several months of wearing braces, the progress can be measured more easily, and a more accurate update can be given to you regarding how much longer you can expect to wear braces.

The cost of braces depends on which type of braces you choose, how long you will need treatment, and any other factors that might be unique to your treatment plan. Our treatment coordinators offer payment plans that can work with your budget and get you the orthodontic care that you need.

Yes. Generally, there is no reason you cannot return to school or work the same day.

Yes, you can still play sports with braces. It’s highly recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Please ask your doctor about mouthguard options.

No matter how old you are, the answer is no. There is no age limit for braces and our doctors provide braces for children, teens, and adults. Modern adult braces are more discreet, more comfortable, and more effective. More adults are choosing orthodontic treatment now more than ever before.

Don’t panic if your teeth begin to feel a little loose. This is a normal part of the treatment process. Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will stabilize and no longer feel loose.

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.

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.

Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.

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.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic consultation at the age of 7. By this age, most children have several permanent teeth starting to surface allowing our doctors to effectively evaluate a child’s orthodontic condition. In certain cases, early evaluation allows our doctors to identify missing permanent teeth or jaw growth and habit problems that can be easily corrected if caught early. Our Growth Guidance Program helps children avoid future problems and potential costly corrections.

Our doctors love dental referrals, but the dentist does not need to make the appointment. Most patients call us directly and mention the dentist who referred them. We always love to send a thank you note to our dentists.

The cost of braces or Invisalign aligners depends on the length of treatment and the type of braces and aligners that you choose. Our doctors and treatment coordinators are happy to come up with a payment plan that meets your budget.

If your braces or other appliances 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.

No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

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.

Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment lasts about 12 to 21 months. 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 in young children.

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 eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.

At the completion of your child’s first exam, we will determine whether they will need an expander as part of their treatment plan.

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 5 to 12 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school time due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

Upon arriving, each patient will be seen by the staff who will introduce you to our office and prepare you for the initial exam. We will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. Your doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam.

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.