FAQ

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.

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.

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 actually decreases with age.

If you think you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, one of our appointment coordinators will request some basic information from you.

Upon arriving, each patient and/or parent will be seen by the new patient coordinator who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam with Dr Hamilton. We will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. Dr Hamilton will then complete a thorough exam. 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 and when is the best time to initiate treatment?
· What must be done to correct the problem and what are my treatment options?
· 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 goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is less necessary than ever before to create beautiful smiles.

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months but can be longer or shorter depending on you or your childs specific orthodontic problems. The "average" time frame a person is in braces in our office is approximately 22 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 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.

Yes, braces is an ideal time to use your spending account because you will know exact dollar amounts that you can set aside to save you even more of your hard earned money.

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 4 to 8 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 8 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatment. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

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.

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!” Just in case always take your pain medication one hour before your appointment and for the following 3-4 days to help decrease any discomfort that might occur.

Yes. There is no reason you cannot return to school the same day.

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. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.

Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are still important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces. A minimum of once every 6 months is recommended.

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 and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

Patients should ideally brush their teeth 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 special fluoride, if necessary.

If a band or bracket comes loose, a wire bends or breaks, something is sharp or sticking, or something just appears out of the ordinary, please call our office. We can address some issues over the telephone but for others we will need to schedule an emergency appointment. For your convenience, please do not come directly to the office. Emergency time is reserved daily. If time is available the damage will be repaired, but this is not always possible due to previously scheduled patients. If time only allows us to make you comfortable and repairs are not made, they will either be done at your next appointment or another appointment will be scheduled. Visit the Emergency section of this website for instructions on what you can do about specific type emergencies.

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 treatment can last from 9-20 months. Average Phase One treatment is approximately 12 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant tooth or jaw problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and confidence. Treatment fees for Phase One treatment are approximately half of what full treatment fees cost.

It is best to assume that your child will need full braces (Phase Two) 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 offer 10% off of our Phase Two treatment fees and hopefully your child may not need braces as long as they would have if Phase One treatment had not been completed. This also helps reduce the Phase Two (full braces) fee.

During the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.

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 and they are not just for children and teens. It’s never too late to improve the way you look and feel. In fact, our patients’ age range from 4 to 84! Each year, more and more adults come to our office seeking orthodontic care.

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.

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training in addition to their dental degree that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments to get the best orthodontic results.