Helpful Info

 

 

Orthodontic Care at Home

The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile is by participating in treatment at home and taking good care of your teeth. By brushing, flossing, wearing your elastics, turning your expander, or wearing your retainer, you are helping yourself achieve and maintain a lifetime of healthy smiles! 

FOODS TO AVOID

For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting; pencil chewing and chewing on foreign objects can pop off your brackets or bend your wires.

BRUSHING

Brushing is another tool you have to keep your treatment on track and your pearly whites looking pretty! While you're in braces, remember to brush after every meal.

FLOSSING

Why is flossing important? Flossing keeps your teeth in the best condition possible, which helps your teeth move more easily, stay white, and keeps your gums healthy.

To see examples of our work checkout our Before and After Gallery:

Before and Afters

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Do I need a referral from my dentist?

No, you do not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

2. How do I schedule a complimentary appointment for an initial exam?

If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office for a one hour complimentary consultation.

3. What will I learn from the initial examination?

During your first visit you will meet with our staff and Dr. Andy and you will find out your treatment options, financial information, and we can answer any questions you may have as well as any that arise!

4. 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.

5. Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?

Once we have seen you, and you have a specific treatment plan with the cost, we can help you and your family determine the best financial options. We tailor our financial plans to each family with our in house financing with no interest. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.

6. What is Phase One (early) treatment?

Phase One treatment, is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe before all permanent teeth are in. Phase 1 is not necessary for all patients.

7. 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 8 weeks.  The average interval is every 6 weeks with a 40 minute appointment.

8. Can I still play sports?

Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports. Orthodontic specific mouthguards can be found in our office. 

9. 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.  You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by avoiding or amending sticky or hard foods.

10. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?

Patients should brush their teeth 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.

11. 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.

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 their patient manager before dropping off their child.

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!”

14. 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! 

14. Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, can be permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have achieved their doctorate in dentistry and then gone on to an additional 3-4 years of orthodontic specialist instruction and practice. An orthodontist is highly trained so that you may have appropriate, safe and thorough treatment.