Following are frequently asked questions we hear from parents considering orthodontic treatment for their children. We hope the answers provided will help your understanding of orthodontics and what it can accomplish.
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What is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed at least two academic years of continuous advanced studies in an orthodontic program of a dental school or institution approved by the American Dental Association. This advanced training includes such diverse studies as physics, embryology, genetics, human growth and development, biophysics and engineering. Only those dentists with this advanced education can say that they are orthodontists.
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Why should I be concerned about my child's bite?
A bad bite can be detrimental to the future of your child's mouth. A bad bite will continue to worsen with age and can cause cavities, gum problems, difficulty in chewing, uneven wearing of teeth, potential TMJ problems, headaches and neck aches. Properly aligned and supported teeth are healthier, easier to clean, and therefore more likely to last throughout a patient's lifetime.
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At what age should my child see an orthodontist?
There is no one answer to this question because it depends on the orthodontic problem. For this reason, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist or the child's physician. This may surprise you -- orthodontic treatment is usually associated with adolescence. An early evaluation, however, allows the orthodontist to determine when a child's particular problem should be treated for maximum improvement with the least amount of time and expense. In many patients, early treatment achieves results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. Another plus is that early intervention frequently makes the completion of treatment at a later age easier and less time-consuming.
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What are benefits of braces?
There are many benefits of braces. Straight teeth that fit together properly improves function. Your teeth and jaw joints can work more effectively, sometimes reducing inappropriate wear. Having straight teeth makes it easier for you to brush and floss easily. Straight teeth reduces thelikeihood of having cavities and gum diseases the can potentially cause premature loss of teeth. Should you ever need a filling, crown or bridge, your dentist can usually do better restoration if the teeth are aligned properly. Having a pleasing smile improves self-esteem, confidence and a feeling of acceptance in our daily activities. It is definitely worth it to have a healthy smile for life
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What causes crooked teeth and bad bite?
Crowded teeth, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, premature loss of baby teeth, a poor breathing airway caused by enlarged adenoids or tonsils can all contribute to poor tooth positioning. And then there are the hereditary factors. Extra teeth, large teeth, missing teeth, wide spacing, small jaws—all can be causes of crowded teeth. Malocclusions are inherited (genetic) or acquired (resulting from events after birth).
Inherited problems include:
- a discrepancy between the size of the jaws and the size of the teeth, resulting in crowding or spacing
- extra or missing teeth
- jaw growth problems, like when one jaw grows more or less than the opposing jaw
- cleft palate and other jaw or face irregularities
Acquired problems include:
- premature loss of primary or permanent teeth
- dental disease
- thumb or finger sucking
- tongue thrusting
- breathing problems caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids
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How do orthodontists straighten teeth?
Tooth movement is actually a normal response to light pressure. Pressure is applied by using a variety of orthodontic appliances, the most common being a brace or bracket attached to the teeth and connected by an arch wire. Periodic changing of these arch wires puts pressure on the teeth. At different stages of treatment your child may wear a headgear, elastics, a positioner or a retainer.
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Will my child look funny?
These days braces are being regularly worn by a majority of kids. I It is not uncommon to observe half of the children in a school with some sort of braces. Many kids consider braces cool. Getting orthodontic treatment is a wise investment at an early age, because you get healthy and beautiful smile for a lifetime.
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Do braces hurt?
Minor discomfort has to result when we apply pressure to the teeth. This usually lasts about 48 to 72 hours and then the teeth are comfortable again. Each succeeding adjustment will mean some minor discomfort, although our patients report a lessening of the discomfort as the treatment progresses. During the first few days after you get your braces and after major adjustments, some discomfort can be expected, especially when chewing. Many patients describe the discomfort as an "ache" or a "bruise." Please see the First Aid section for helpful hints on how to adjust to these times.The good news is that new techniques and materials used by orthodontists today have decreased the discomfort of wearing braces and have also decreased the frequency of visits and overall treatment time.
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What about sporting and extracurricular activities?
We encourage your child to pursue extracurricular interests. Athletics can be a regular part of this routine. Speech may at first be somewhat affected, but only for a day or two. So we tell our patients that orthodontics is a normal part of this phase in their lives and that treatment should not preclude any activities they usually pursue within their school's programs. Athletics can be a regular part of this routine. Please remember to wear mouthguards during sporting activities. If you play musical instrument by mouth, please let us know.
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How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
Each patient has a unique problem and will receive specific treatment per their conditions and so accompanying costs will vary among patients. Those factors affecting the simplicity or complexity of your problem will be explained in detail by Dr. Singh. Our office offers many different payment plans, making braces affordable for the family. Please ask our financial coordinator for the various different plans. Also, many employer-provided insurance benefit plans now include orthodontics. This has helped many people offset cost of treatment. Please consult your employer's benefit office to see if this is currently offered or available to you.
When you consider the cost of orthodontic treatment, it is important to keep in mind the many benefits of having a lifetime of beautiful, healthy smiles.
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How often will my child need office visits?
Appointments can be scheduled from two to multiple-week intervals, depending on the stage of treatment. In the initial stage, the appointments are more frequent. Once the appliances (braces) are in place, appointments are scheduled at longer intervals. The initial two or three appointments which consist of taking records and putting braces on are done on weekdays and the following more frequent adjustment appointments can be performed on Saturdays.
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Will my dental insurance pay for it?
Today many dental policies include orthodontic benefits. For questions concerning eligibility, a pre-determination of available benefits can be requested from your insurance company representative. Some companies require submission of a diagnosis and treatment plan as well as a suggested payment schedule by an orthodontist before treatment begins. The percentage of reimbursement varies from plan to plan. Please call our office staff that is fully trained and willing to explore any insurance questions you may have.
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How long will treatment take?
In general, active treatment time with orthodontic appliances ranges from one to three years. The actual treatment time depends on the severity of the problem, the growth of the face and jaws and the cooperation of the patient. Some problems may require less time. It is also important to remember that some individuals simply respond faster to treatment than others.
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What can I eat with braces?
Real hard, crunchy and sticky foods can damage braces and should be avoided. You will receive a list of foods to be careful with; otherwise, most foods can be enjoyed just as before you received your braces. The key to giving up certain treats is to find substitutes you like just as much!
See the Braces section for more information about how to take care of your braces.
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What are retainers?
Retainers do exactly what their name says: they retain or hold your teeth from moving out of alignment, after braces have been removed. Some retainers are fixed in place, but usually they are removable to make cleaning them and your teeth easier.
See the Retainers section for more information on how to take care of retainers.
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How important is cooperation?
Extremely important. In order to achieve the very best orthodontic result, a real team effort on the part of the orthodontist, the family dentist and the patient is essential. Proper oral hygiene is one of the patient's main responsibilities and is especially important during orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist will provide you with techniques on tooth brushing and how to care for your teeth and braces. Patients who take care of the their braces by keeping their teeth clean; avoid hard, sticky foods; wear their rubber bands or other appliances as instructed; and keep their appointments usually finish treatment on time with good results.
Regular visits to the family dentist must continue during orthodontic treatment because good dental care and proper fluoride remain important.
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Will the improvement be permanent?
The combined experience of orthodontists across the country points to a 95% permanent improvement rate. Teeth, like all parts of the body, are constantly changing and adapting. Where growth guidance is accomplished, the results are usually permanent. Jaw relationships affecting facial contours can be expected to remain for life. However, there are certain types of facial patterns that continue to change even past adolescence. (Should this be the case with your child, of course it will be discussed thoroughly so you are made aware of any detrimental growth indications.) Conscientious retainer wear following treatment will minimize minor movement or relapse.
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