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.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening by age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

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.

Simply call our office or on our web site under the “New Patients” menu, complete the “Request an Appointment” section and submit it to us. 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.

Upon arriving, each patient will be asked for the new patient forms and insurance card. The doctor will then complete a thorough clinical exam. Additional information, such as X-rays or photographs, may be needed for proper diagnosis.

There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:

· Is there an orthodontic bite problem, and if so, what is it?
· What must be done to correct the bite problem?
· Will any teeth need to be removed?
· How long will treatment take to complete?
· How much will the treatment cost?

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.

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic concerns. In general, treatment time lasts from 8 to 30 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 18-24 months.

It is impossible to give an estimate of the fee for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the fee estimate and our financial options during the initial new patient examination. We have flexible financial options available to accommodate your needs. We will review your insurance policy to maximize any benefits available and file the claims for you.

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

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled at 6 to 8 week intervals, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatment. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

On some occasions, we may request to speak with the parent when they return. We ask that parents check in with our New Patient Coordinator at our reception desk before dropping off their child.

Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all.

Yes. There is no reason you cannot return to school the same day.

No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

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

Yes, you can still play sports; however, we recommend obtaining a mouth guard from our office to use for all sports activities.

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.

Once treatment begins, we will give instructions covering the care of your braces and include a list of any foods to avoid. You may also find our food list located on the “Food List” page under the Patient Education section of our web site. You can avoid emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day – after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary. You may also find these instructions located on the “Oral Hygiene” page in the Patient Education section of our web site.

If your braces are causing extreme discomfort 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.

Yes. Some orthodontic needs 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 normally lasts about 6-18 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant concerns to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.

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 the initial new patient examination, the determination will be made as to whether or not an expander will be required.

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

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.

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.