- Do I need a referral to schedule an initial consultation?
- At what age should my child see an orthodontist for the first time?
- How do I schedule an appointment for an initial consultation?
- What will I learn from the initial examination?
- 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?
- Do braces hurt?
- Can I still play sports?
- Do I need to see my family dentist while in treatment?
- What if I am experiencing a lot of pain or something falls off?
- What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
- Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
1. Do I need a referral to schedule an initial consultation?
No, you don’t need a referral. Simply call or email us and we will happily find a date and time that works for you!
2. At what age should my child see an orthodontist for the first time?
Around age 7 is when a child has a mix of baby and permanent teeth, making it a good time to assess potential issues with bite, jaw growth, and tooth alignment. Early evaluation can help identify problems that might be easier to correct while the child’s jaw is still developing.
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3. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
Simply call our office or send us an e-mail.
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4. What will happen at the initial consult?
5. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic issue. In general, treatment time lasts from 9 months to 24 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 18-24 months.
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6. 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 consultation. 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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7. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients will be seen every 6 to 8 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
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8. 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!
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9. Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a ‘boil and bite’ type mouthguard while in treatment.
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10 Do I need to see my family dentist while in treatment?
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 treatment.
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11. What if I am experiencing a lot of pain or something falls off?
We are always available to see our patients when they are experiencing unusual discomfort and/or have a concern? Simply call the office or email us during office hours and we will ensure you are taken care of. Outside of office hours there is always an orthodontist on call.
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12. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 to 10 and lasts about 9-12 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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13. 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. We feel Phase One should only be done in the event that the condition cannot be treated later in treatment or will make future treatment more difficult.
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