1. What is an orthodontist, and why should I be treated by one, if my dentist provides orthodontic services?
2. Why is a Board Certified orthodontist a better choice?
3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
6. What will I learn from the initial examination?
7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
10. How often will I have appointments?
11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
13. Do braces hurt?
14. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
15. Do you give shots?
16. Do you use recycled braces?
17. Can I still play sports?
18. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
19. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
20. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
21. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
22. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
23. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
24. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
25. Will my child need an expander?
26. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
27. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
28. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
29. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
30. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?

1. What is an orthodontist, and why should I be treated by one, if my dentist provides orthodontic services?
Orthodontists are qualified dentists, who after graduating from dental school, go on to additional full-time university-based education in an accredited orthodontic residency program. That training lasts at least two to three academic years—sometimes more. By learning about tooth movement (orthodontics), biomechanics, and guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics), orthodontists are the uniquely educated experts in dentistry to straighten teeth and align jaws. Orthodontists diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists limit their practices to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. That means that orthodontic treatment is what they do, and that is all they do. Orthodontists treat a wide variety of malocclusions (misaligned teeth and/or jaws), in all age groups. American Association of Orthodontists
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2. Why is a Board Certified orthodontist a better choice?
A dentist who graduates from a specialty program becomes an orthodontic specialist who is eligible to become board certified through the voluntary examination process of The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). Involvement in the certification process is a demonstration of the orthodontist's pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence. The certification process involves a thorough written examination covering all areas of information on which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable. Successful passage allows the  orthodontist to present treated cases which will be evaluated by expert examiners of the Board during a Clinical Examination. Certification is now awarded for a time-limited period and the orthodontist must re-examine on a periodic basis to retain the board certified status. American Board of Orthodontics
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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, which could lead to more crowding. Back to top

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 and we will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our scheduling co-ordinators will request some basic information from you.
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5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be greeted by our Office Manager, Marlene Klein,  who will familiarize you with our office and prepare for the initial exam.. The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam.  To read more about your first visit, please see our 'First Visit' page.Back to top

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. Back to top

8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 6 to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 24  months. Back to top

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 projected cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. Please see our Fees/Insurance page. Back to top

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 6 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly. Back to top

11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs. Back to top

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 at the front desk before leaving their child in the office. Back to top

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!”  Back to top

14. Can I return to school the day my braces are placed?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment. Back to top

15. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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16. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible. Back to top

17. Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend and provide a mouth guard for all sports. Back to top

18. 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. Back to top

19. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will give you complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions. Back to top

20. 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 may recommend additional fluoride application.
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21. 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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22. 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. Back to top

23. 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 lasts about 12-21 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.
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24. 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, patients will be seen periodically and patients and parents will be  kept informed of future treatment recommendations. Back to top

25. 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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26. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
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! Back to top

27. 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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28. 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. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments. Back to top

29. 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. Back to top

30. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth have usually erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition. Back to top