- Is
it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the
orthodontist?
- At what age should I schedule
an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
- Will my teeth straighten out
as they grow?
- How do I schedule an appointment
for an initial exam?
- What will happen at the initial
examination appointment?
- What will I learn from the initial
examination?
- Will I need to have teeth extracted
for braces?
- How long will it take to complete
treatment?
- How much will braces cost? Are
financing options available? How does my insurance work?
- How often will I have appointments?
- Can I schedule all of my appointments
after school?
- Can I drop my child off for
an appointment?
- Do braces hurt?
- Can I return to school the
day I receive my braces?
- Do you give shots?
- Can I still play sports?
- Do I need to see my family
dentist while in braces?
- Are there foods I cannot eat
while I have braces?
- How often should I brush my
teeth while in braces?
- What is an emergency appointment?
How are those handled?
- Can orthodontic correction
occur while a child has baby teeth?
- What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
- Will my child need full braces
if he/she has Phase One treatment?
- Will my child need an expander?
- Is it too late to have braces
if I am already an adult?
- Can I wear braces even though
I have crowns and missing teeth?
- Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
- Why is age 7 considered the optimal time for screening?
- What are the advantages of interceptive treatment?
- Are you a candidate for orthodontic treatment?
- Why should Malocclusions be treated?
- When is the best time to begin orthodontics?
- What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?
1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
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.
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2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7 to make sure the teeth and jaws are developing correctly. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.
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3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
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.
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4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office or send us an e-mail. 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.
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5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Your initial appointment will consist of our treatment coordinator giving you a tour of our office, obtaining photographs of your face and teeth along with x-rays. Dr. Carlton will then complete a thorough examination and discuss potential treatment options. Our treatment coordinator will discuss what you can expect with braces. Our office manager will finish the appointment by discussing financial options, any available insurance benefits and scheduling any future appointments, Please allow 1 hour for this appointment.
To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.
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6. What will I learn from the initial examination?
There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
· Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
· What must be done to correct the problem?
· Will any teeth need to be removed?
· How long will the treatment take to complete?
· How much will the treatment cost?
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7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
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.
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8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment time lasts from 6 months to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces once all the permanent teeth have erupted is 18-24 months.
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9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have several financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.
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10. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 4 to 10 weeks.
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11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours.. Short adjustment appointments are reserved for after school so that we can accommodate the most patients during that highly demanded time. Long appointments, such as putting on or taking off braces, will have to be scheduled during school hours.
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12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, 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 us before dropping off their child.
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13. Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, 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!”
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14. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason you cannot return to school the same day.
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15. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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16. Can I still play sports?
Yes, we will provide a mouthguard made to fit over your braces.
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17. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
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.
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18. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Remember anything hard, sticky or chewy will break your braces. You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
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19. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
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 discuss using an over the counter fluoride rinse as well.
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20. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your braces 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.
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21. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
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.
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22. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment usually lasts about 6-18 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and/or to improve self-esteem and self-image.
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23. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
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.
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24. Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
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25. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
Braces aren’t just for kids anymore. Tooth alignment can be changed at any age if your gums and bone structure are healthy. We offer a variety of treatments that are designed for different age groups-including adults. A new smile can begin today.
Orthodontic treatment at later stages in life can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. Improving the health of your teeth and gums is equally important. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, abnormal wear of the tooth enamel and surfaces, headaches and jaw joint pain.
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26. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
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.
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27. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontists are dentists that went back to school for 2-3 years to specialize only in braces. They have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.
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28. Why is age 7 considered the optimal time for screening?
By the age of 7, the first adult molars erupt, establishing the back bite. During this time, and orthodontist can evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. For example, the presence of erupting incisors can indicate possible overbite, open bite, crowding or gummy smiles. Timely screening increases the chances for an incredible smile.
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29. What are the advantages of interceptive treatment?
Some of the most direct results of interceptive treatment are:
- Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
- Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
- Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Preserving space for unerupted teeth
- Reducing the need for tooth removal
- Reducing treatment time with braces
30. Are you a candidate for orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontics is not merely for improving the aesthetics of a smile; orthodontic treatment improves bad bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions occur as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment. Malocclusions affect the way you smile, chew, clean your teeth or feel about your smile.
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31. Why should Malocclusions be treated?
According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusions can result in a variety of problems. Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss, which may contribute to tooth decay and/or gum disease. Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping. Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear. Openbites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments. Ultimately, orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile—it creates a healthier you.
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32. When is the best time to begin orthodontics?
Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time period to begin treatment. Beginning treatment at this time ensures the greatest result and the least amount of time and expense. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.
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33. What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?
Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.
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