Frequently Asked Questions

Orthodontics can boost a person's self-image as the teeth, jaws and lips become properly aligned. It also gives you an attractive smile and is just as important as alleviating or preventing physical health problems.

Without treatment, orthodontic problems may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction, and chewing and digestive difficulties. A "bad bite" can contribute to speech impairments, tooth loss, chipped teeth and other dental injuries.

Call our office to schedule a new patient exam. Your first visit will act as a screening and determine whether braces are necessary or not. We will be happy to answer all your questions at that time.

At our office, consultations are FREE!

Our most popular braces are stainless steel but we also have invisible (ceramic) braces and Invisalign®.  Patients also enjoy "decorating" their braces with our selection of colored elastics.

We see patients of all ages but we recommend children see us at around age 7, so we can catch early problems if necessary.

We will always try to work with your schedule. While we don't have evening appointments at this time, we can sometimes accommodate you on Saturday mornings. We also have early (7:00 am) Friday appointments for patients that want to get in before work or school.

The average is about 20 months for a comprehensive case, but each treatment plan is uniquely timed for each individual.

The nerves inside and around teeth are very sensitive and the pressure required to move teeth can cause some discomfort for a few days. This is normal.  To ease the pain, chew soft foods and take pain-relieving pills such as Aspirin or Tylenol, if necessary.

If you are in any pain or discomfort, you should call our office and arrange to come in and have the problem corrected. . If no pain or discomfort exists, you can wait until your next visit to have the brace reapplied.

For temporary relief, put some wax (provided at your first visit) on the area and come into our office as soon as possible.

The most important concern when it comes to tooth brushing is that you brush your teeth well at least twice per day. While the brand or type of brush isn't the most important concern, we do suggest you use a brush that has soft or medium bristles rather than hard ones. Water Pics do help clean the teeth and stimulate the gums but they are not a necessity if the patient is already a good brusher.

The chewing action (not the type of gum) is what breaks or loosens the braces over a period of time. This will delay the orthodontic treatment.

You should see your regular dentist on whatever schedule existed prior to wearing braces. Regular dental checkups are necessary and this is the responsibility of the patient and his or her regular dentist.