- Who is an Orthodontist?
- Is it required that my family dentist refer me to the Orthodontist?
- At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
- Will my teeth straighten out on their own as I grow?
- What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
- Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
- How long does orthodontic treatment take?
- How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
- How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
- What forms of payment do you take?
- How often will I have appointments?
- Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
- Do braces hurt?
- Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
- Do you give shots?
- Do you use recycled braces?
- Can I still play sports?
- Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
- Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
- How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
- What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
- Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
- What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
- Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
- Will my child need an expander?
- Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
- Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
1. Who is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
Orthodontists must first attend college, and then complete a four year graduate program at a dental school affiliated with a University accredited by the American Dental Association. They must then successfully complete an additional residency program in advanced education in orthodontics. The advanced training includes such diverse studies as genetics, embryology, human growth and development, and biophysics. Only dentists with this advanced specialty education can present and call themselves Orthodontists.
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2. Is it required that my family dentist refer me to 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 orthodontic examination themselves.
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3. 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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4. Will my teeth straighten out on their own as I 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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5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
At the initial appointment, Dr. Krishnan will examine you or your child and determine the need for treatment. There is no charge for the examination.
If you are ready for treatment, the next step would be to take diagnostic records, which include two digital X-rays, photographs of the face and teeth and impressions. If you so desire, the records may be done at this appointment and there would be a charge for that procedure.
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6. 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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7. How long does orthodontic treatment take?
No two smiles are exactly alike. No two orthodontic treatment programs are alike either. Some active treatment may take from 6-30 months or longer depending on the severity of the problem, the age of the patient and the degree of movement possible.
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8. 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 email 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 scheduling coordinators will request some basic information from you.
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9. How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
While it is important to keep in mind the lifetime value that orthodontics offers, we know you have specific cost questions, so don’t be afraid to ask. You may discover that the price tag is lower than you ever thought. Many orthodontic problems require only limited treatment. The cost of treatment will vary depending on the severity of the problem. We will be happy to discuss fees with you before beginning treatment.
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10. What forms of payment do you take?
We accept CASH, CHECKS, VISA, MASTERCARD & AMERICAN EXPRESS.
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11. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 6 to 12 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
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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. We ask that parents check in with our scheduling coordinators before dropping off their child. We will always speak to a parent when they return to update their child’s progress.
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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.
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15. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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16. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
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17. Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
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18. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Absolutely! 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.
