Orthodontists are uniquely qualified in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of orthodontic problems. The alignment of the teeth, the smile, and frequently the facial profile and jaw function are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment so it is important that the treatment be appropriate anbd properly completed. Orthodontic specialists are dentists that have extensive and specialized training (a minimum of 2 to 3 years of additional training beyond their dental degree, at an accredited university post-graduate program) that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.
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. Increasingly, many new patients are referred to us by current or former patients.
Orthodontic specialty associations recommend an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth have erupted in most children, allowing us to effectively evaluate their orthodontic condition. There are certain conditions that can or should be managed at this young age to prevent the development of more complicated problems. A number of these conditions may be managed without the use of any orthodontic appliances.
Usually, 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.
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply contact our office or fill out our appointment request form online. 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 (and parent(s) for minors) will be seen by the staff who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. The doctor will then complete a very thorough examination. Upon completion of this examination, recommendations may be made in regard to obtaining appropriate records if indicated to make a complete and proper diagnosis. To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.
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?
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goals of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment: in fact, extractions for orrthodontic treatment are much less common today than previously
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 months (for minor changes) to 36 months for complex conditions. The "average" time frame for a person requiring a full set of braces, including the 12 year molars, is approximately 24 months.
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 different financing options available to accommodate your needs including monthly payment plans, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help you to both file your claims and to maximize your benefits.
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 4 to 10 weeks. However,there are often specific situations that require more frequent monitoring; we will schedule appointments accordingly.
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments during after-school or outside-of-work hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school or work due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs, and have early morning and late afternoon appointments to accommodate some of the shorter visits.
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 the receptionist before dropping off their child.
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!”
Yes. There is no reason to miss school or work because of an orthodontic appointment.
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 continue to play sports but we definitely recommend that you wear a mouthguard for almost all sports. Although there is no "perfect" mouthguard when you are wearing braces, our patients have had the best success with the "Braces Mouthguard", or for wrestling and martial arts, the "Double Braces Mouthguard", both made by Shock Doctor Mouthguards. These "Braces" mouthguards come in 4 different sizes/models but do not require any custom fitting or boiling, so they are great for use throughout your orthodontic treatment without requiring "re-fitting" to adapt to changes in tooth and/or jaw positions. They are available from many sports stores, Canadian Tire, and on-line at Shock Doctor Mouthguards.
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. Additionally, while decay is not a problem for most patients who are diligent about their hygiene and sugar intake during orthodontic treatment, your dentist will be checking for any decay problems that could arise while wearing braces.
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the 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, taffy, and all chewing gum). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
Ideally, 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 fluoride rinse.
If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In many cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you. For further information, please see our Emergency Info.
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.
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatments vary considerably, but may last from 3 to 20 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.
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 examination, we will usually be able to determine whether a patient will need an expander.
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients today are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces and achieve a great smile!
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 and often provide a more favourable environment for the prosthetic replacement of the missing tooth or teeth.