Will my child's teeth straighten as they grow?
The space available for teeth in the mouth does not increase with age; therefore, there won't be any opportunity for your child's teeth to straighten without orthodontic treatment. The fact is, after the molars erupt (usually in the sixth year), the space in the mouth actually gets smaller as the child grows older. If your child has crowded teeth, it's best to come in for a ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATION sooner (age 7) rather than later.

Can my family dentist do orthodontics?
Your family general dentist may have taken some additional weekend training seminars to do orthodontics. Your general dentist is obliged to assume professional dental care for all of his patients. He or she knows what he or she is adequately skilled to do. You can trust your general dentist to do what he or she does well and refer you to a specialist for work needed beyond his or her scope of training.

Orthodontists are dentists that complete at least two additional years of very comprehensive full time specialized university training. They handle the simplest as well as the most complicated orthodontic problems, which general dentists are typically not qualified to treat.

Do I need to be referred by my family dentist to see an orthodontist?
No, although family dentists refer many of their patients to us. If you have concerns about the health or appearance of your or your child's smile and would like a FREE CONSULTATION, you may schedule an appointment now.

Do we still need to see our family dentist if we're already seeing you?
Yes, you still need to see your general dentist for check-ups and cleanings. Patients with braces or other orthodontic appliances can find it difficult to keep their teeth clean. Your family dentist will advise you as to how often to come in for check-ups. Check out Cleaning Tips for more information on how to keep your mouth as clean as possible.

What about invisible aligners?
Orthodontic materials and techniques have improved immensely in the past five years.

For many adults, we can use a series of clear plastic invisible aligners that fit over the teeth like a glove over the hand. Each aligner moves the teeth very slightly and is worn for 2-3 weeks. Do you want to know if Invisalign® is for you? If your answer is yes, call us immediately or contact us online immediately.

Invisalign® uses the latest computer imaging technology to create a series of custom aligners.

What foods do I have to avoid?
Fortunately, there are only a few foods that should be avoided while in braces - primarily hard foods and sticky foods. For example, foods such as peanut brittle and candied apples can not only be very difficult to clean from braces but can even loosen bands and brackets or break them and bend or break the arch wires. There are many more foods that you can eat than those you can't. For a detailed list on the foods and candies that must be avoided while in braces, visit Foods to Avoid.

If you qualify for Invisalign® treatment, you will not have to avoid any foods because there will be no fixed brackets, bands or wires to loosen, break or bend. You may still feel more comfortable eating soft foods at times.

How long will treatment last?
There are a number of factors that determine how long you will wear braces, but in most cases you'll be ready to show off your new smile in about 18-24 months. With today's modern orthodontic appliances and techniques, treatment is getting faster, easier and more comfortable for the patient all the time.

Braces are used to straighten your teeth gradually, not overnight, so a little patience is needed. Just remember, any discomfort you may feel will be brief.

Your beautiful, healthy smile, however, will last a lifetime.

Will a retainer be necessary?
Wearing a retainer after braces is an important step, because it keeps the teeth stable after the active orthodontic appliance is removed at the end of treatment. Without retainers, your teeth would return to their old "crooked ways." If you want your teeth to remain in their ideal positions for the rest of your life, it would be best to wear a retainer that long. Some retainers can be put in permanently. The ideal one is made of a clear plastic removable material that fits on your teeth like a glove on your hand that can be worn at home and while you are sleeping.

Retainers are the cheapest form of insurance around. If you lose your retainer, it is cheaper to replace it IMMEDIATELY than to do your orthodontic treatment over again. As the saying goes, "If you don't use it, you lose it." The corollary to this saying is, "If you lose it, you can't use it." Then you'd better get a new one IMMEDIATELY so you won't have to "do it" over again.

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