A. 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, screen for problems, and adjust appropriately to give the best result possible. There is no substitution for a skilled pair of eyes looking directly at the teeth!

A. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. For most children, several permanent teeth have erupted by this age, allowing the orthodontist to effectively evaluate the patient’s orthodontic condition.

A. 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.

A. No patient is "too old" to wear braces! A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health and happiness are vitally important to adults, and orthodontic treatment can increase your self-esteem at any age!

A. Overall treatment time depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem(s) and complexity. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The "average" timespan a patient wears braces in our office is approximately 18-20 months.

A. Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every five to 6-8 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

A. Yes. We understand your schedule is busy, 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, so we ask that parents check-in with the receptionists or dental assistants before dropping off their child.

A. Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain appointments, your teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, over-the-counter pain medications, such as Advil or 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!”

A. Yes! We recommend that patients wear mouthguards while playing sports. Musicians will likely experience an adjustment period until they are comfortable playing while wearing braces.

A. Yes! Regular check-ups with your general dentist are important while in braces. Your dentist will determine the intervals between each cleaning appointment while you have your braces.

A. Patients should brush their teeth at least three times each day – after each meal. An additional brushing before going to bed is also beneficial. We will also show you how to floss your teeth with braces, and we may provide a prescription for a special fluoride treatment if oral hygiene is not being maintained.

A. Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain our complete instructions and provide you with a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include ice, hard candy, and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most repair appointments by carefully following our instructions!

A. The biggest challenges for patients are hygiene (brushing and flossing) and elastic wear. We ask that you please encourage your child to cooperate with good oral hygiene and elastic wear. If these two obstacles can be overcome, treatment will progress smoothly and the results will be spectacular!