1. WHAT IS AN ORTHODONTIST?

An Orthodontist is a Certified Specialist in the correction of maligned teeth and jaw irregularities.  

 

2. WHAT DO BRACES, BANDS AND WIRES DO?

The Orthodontic Appliance (commonly called braces) helps the Orthodontist control and move the teeth with maximum accuracy and efficiency. Rubber Bands provide a force which helps teeth move. This is usually done by applying pressure to one group of teeth against the other. Unless otherwise instructed, rubber bands must be worn 24 hours per day. Failure to do so would cause the teeth not to move properly. Arch Wires are the guide or track for the teeth to be moved. The arch wire is adjusted every time you visit the orthodontist. Each time it is moved, the tooth is closer to being where it should be. 

 

3. CAN HABITS AFFECT YOUR SMILE?

Your teeth can be moved with very slight pressure in the right or wrong direction. Bad habits such as thumb or finger sucking, fingernail biting, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing can move teeth in the wrong direction and affect jaw growth. Some orthodontic braces and therapies can help you stop these bad habits. 

 

4. WHAT DO I DO IN AN EMERGENCY?

Please notify the office right away if an emergency should arise. Often we may be able to instruct you over the phone so that you can take care of a problem at home. We Need To Know RIGHT AWAY if you are in pain from a poking wire or other problem. If you call and we’re not in the office, follow the instructions left on the recording or leave a message. We’ll return your call as soon as possible. 

 

5. WHAT ARE BAD EATING HABITS?

  • Hard, sticky and/or chewy foods
  • Foods high in sugar content
  • Sticky and/or chewy foods damage braces by bending wires and pulling cement loose
  • Hard foods may do damage by bending wires, loosening cement under the bands or breaking the little brackets and tubes which are attached.
  • Food high in sugar content should be avoided whenever possible. If you eat any of them, brush your teeth immediately. If it’s not convenient to brush, always rinse your mouth with clear water after eating very sweet food such as cake or pie. 

 

6. WHAT SHOULD I AVOID EATING?

  • Popcorn, Nuts, Peanut Brittle
  • Ice (not even if you’re careful)
  • Lemons (pure lemon juice can hurt your tooth enamel)
  • Corn-on-the-cob (cut it off the cob)
  • Corn chips, crisp taco shells, corn nuts, sunflower seeds in the shell
  • Taffy, Caramels, Starburst, Now-N-Later
  • Jolly Ranchers, fruit chews, beef jerky etc.
  • Bubble Gum – a thousand times NO!
  • Pizza Crust (the hard outer edge) 
  • Maybe with extreme care you can eat…
  • Carrot Sticks (only if you cut into carrot curls that are thin)
  • Apples (only if cut into thin wedges; don’t bite)
  • Hard French Bread (only if you take small pieces and are very careful)
  • Diet Drinks
  • Sugarless gum (not bubble) if in small amounts. Check with your doctor for approval.

 

 

7.  WHY ARE THE BRACES PLACED SO HIGH NEAR THE GUMS? 

Better Control and Efficient Root and Crown Movement: Braces placed higher on the teeth can help with root movement in addition to the crown of the tooth.  This can be especially useful in cases where the roots of the teeth need to be adjusted to create a better bite or more aesthetically pleasing alignment.  This concept is called Smile Arc. Placing brackets higher creates a more youthful, long lasting smile. 

 

 

8.  WHY DOES MY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT SEEM TO BE TAKING LONGER THAN EXPECTED?  

There are many factors that can influence treatment time, including the complexity of the case, how well you’re following the orthodontist’s instructions (such as wearing rubber bands), and the rate at which your teeth are shifting. 

 

 

9.   WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY BRACES OR WIRES ARE BROKEN OR LOOSE?

If a wire or bracket is loose or broken, contact your orthodontist for a repair.  In the meantime, you can try to use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp edges and prevent discomfit. 

 

 

10.  IS IT NORMAL TO EXPERIENCE DISCOMFORT OR SORENESS AFTER ADJUSTMENTS?

Although discomfort is rare with our advanced Pitts21 technology, you may still feel some pressure or soreness after adjustments.  Your teeth and gums are adjusting to the new pressure, but the discomfort usually subsides within a few days. 

 

11.  HOW CAN I PREVENT MY BRACES FROM CAUSING IRRITATION TO MY MOUTH?

You can use orthodontic wax on any areas of the braces that are causing irritation to your cheeks or gums. Rinsing with warm salt water can also help relieve discomfort. 

 

12. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I LOST MY RUBBER BANDS OR OTHER PARTS OF MY BRACES?

If you lose rubber bands or any other part of your braces, contact your orthodontist to get replacements.  It’s important to wear rubber bands as directed to advance your treatment. 

 

13.  CAN I EAT OR DRINK WHATEVER I WANT DURING TREATMENT?

While you’re in treatment, you’ll need to avoid sticky, hard, or crunchy foods that can damage your braces, such as popcorn, chewing gum, or hard candy.  Soft foods are easier to manage. Broken brackets and/or wires will prolong your treatment. 

 

14.  WHY ARE MY TEETH FEELING LOOSE? IS THIS NORMAL?

Yes, it is normal for teeth to feel loose during orthodontic treatment.  This is because the braces are applying pressure to the teeth, causing them to shift and move into better alignment within the bone.  Once the teeth are in proper position, they will stabilize. 

 

15.  HOW CAN I PROPERLY CLEAN MY TEETH AND BRACES?

Brush after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush, use an interdental brush or floss threader to clean between the brackets, and rinse with mouthwash.  An electric toothbrush is highly recommended.  It’s essential to keep your teeth and braces clean to prevent plaque buildup and cavities as this will prolong your treatment. 

 

16.  WHY DO I NEED TO WEAR MY RUBBER BANDS THE ENTIRE TIME DURING TREATMENT?

Rubber bands are typically worn for specific stages of treatment to help correct bite issues.  Your orthodontist will tell you when and how often to wear them, and in some cases, you might need to wear them for a few months or longer to help advance your treatment. 

 

17. WHY DO I NEED TO WEAR MY RETAINER AFTER MY BRACES ARE REMOVED?

Retainers help maintain the new position of your teeth.  Without wearing them, your teeth may shift back to their original position, negating the progress you made with braces. 

 

18. WHAT HAPPENS IF I FORGET TO WEAR MY RUBBER BANDS OR ALIGNERS?

Skipping your rubber bands or aligners can delay progress, and you may need to wear them for a longer time to makeup for lost time consistency is key to staying on time with your treatment plan. 

 

19.  WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO SEE VISIBLE CHANGES IN MY TEETH?

The first noticeable changes usually happen within a few months, but major alignment might take 6 months or more, depending on the severity of your case. 

 

20.  CAN I STILL PLAY SPORTS OR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MY BRACES?

Yes, but for sports, it’s advisable to wear an orthodontic mouth guard to protect your braces and your mouth.  If you play wind instruments, it might take some time to adjust to playing with braces, but it is possible. 

 

21. HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO VISIT THE ORTHODONTIST DURING TREATMENT?

Most patients will need to visit the orthodontist every 6-10 weeks for adjustments and to ensure the braces are working properly. 

 

22. WHAT IF MY TEETH START TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE OR PAINFUL WHEN I PUT MY ALIGNERS OR BRACES BACK ON AFTER A BREAK?

It’s normal to feel some discomfort after getting back into your braces or aligners, especially after a period without them.  The pressure of moving the teeth may cause soreness, but this should subside within a few days as your teeth adjust. 

 

23. WHAT AGE IS THE BEST TO START ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

Most orthodontists recommend an evaluation by age 7. Early diagnosis is key to better treatment. Delaying an orthodontic consultation can lead to extended treatment times, cause a potential problem to get worse and increase the need for invasive treatments such as permanent teeth extractions or more. 

 

24.  AM I TOO OLD FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

While most people associate braces with teenagers, adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment as well. In fact, many adults undergo braces to improve both the function and appearance of their teeth. Orthodontics can address a variety of issues, such as crowded teeth, bite problems, and spacing issues, at any age. Sometimes orthodontics is necessary prior to other dental work such as crowns, bridges, implants and dentures to upright the adjacent teeth so the prosthetics are more stable and last longer. 

 

25.   HOW LONG DO I NEED TO WEAR BRACES?

The typical duration for wearing braces is between 18 to 24 months, but this can vary based on the severity of the case and patient cooperation with elastic wear. 

 

26.   Does wearing braces hurt? 

Braces may cause some discomfort, especially after adjustments. However, this discomfort is usually mild and temporary since the Pitts21 bracketing system uses low forces compared to traditional braces. 

 

27. WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO METAL BRACES?

Alternatives include clear aligners (like Invisalign) or ceramic/clear braces. However, these tools have limitations and you would have to be evaluated to see if you’re a candidate for them. 

 

28. CAN BRACES FIX ALL DENTAL ISSUES?

With the advancement of orthodontic technology such as the Damon System and Pitts21, we can now address a wide variety of dental problems, including crooked teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, and crossbites in a much more conservative manner. We have a high success rate of avoiding extractions of permanent teeth and orthognathic surgery thanks to these advancements. 
However, some issues might require additional treatments and it would be best to be evaluated by our orthodontist. 

 

29.  HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO VISIT THE ORTHODONTIST?

With the advancement of new technology our wires continue to work for longer periods and so regular visits are recommended every 6-10 weeks for adjustments, monitoring progress, and ensuring that treatment is on track. 

 

30.  HOW MUCH DOES ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT COST?

The cost varies depending on the type of treatment and the complexity of the case. This is why we offer complementary consultations to allow our orthodontist to assess the orthodontic need and review fees with payment plans to help you budget for it. 

 

31.  WHAT IS A RETAINER AND WHY DO I NEED IT?

A retainer is a device worn after braces to help keep teeth in their new position. It is essential for maintaining results and preventing teeth from shifting back. We provide both permanent and removable retainers to ensure there is no relapse in the future. 

 

 

32.  WILL MY TEETH GET WORSE IF I DON’T GET TREATMENT?

In some cases, issues like bite problems or crooked teeth can worsen over time without treatment, potentially leading to other dental health problems.