1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
   
2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
   
3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
   
4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
   
5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
   
6. What will I learn from the initial examination?
   
7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
   
8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
   
9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
   
10. How often will I have appointments?
    
11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
    
12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
    
13. Do braces hurt?
    
14. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
    
15. Do you give shots?
    
16. Do you use recycled braces?
    
17. Can I still play sports?
    
18. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
    
19. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
    
20. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
    
21. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
    
22. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
    
23. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
    
24. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
    
25. Will my child need an expander?
    
26. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
    
27. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
    
28. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?

1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
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.
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2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.
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3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
No, 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.
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4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail 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.
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5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam.

To read more about your first visit, see our
First Visit Page.
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6. What will I learn from the initial examination?
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?

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7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.
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8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 22 months.
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9. 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 examination. We have many 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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10. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every five to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
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11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled five to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
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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.
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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!”
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14. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.