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FAQ
Q: What is orthodontics?
A: Orthodontics is a specialty branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. An orthodontist spends an additional two to three years in graduate school beyond those required for general dentistry, focusing their practice on their specialty. Braces and other appliances are generally used to correct these problems.
Q: What are the benefits of orthodontics?
A: Your new, attractive smile is sure to give you an improved self-image. Beyond that, orthodontics can prevent health problems as well. Straight teeth are easier for you and your dental team to clean, avoiding tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction, and tooth loss. They can even help prevent chewing and digestive difficulties and speech impairments.
Q: At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?
A: Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist at age seven.
Q: Can you be too old for braces?
A: Not at all! While there are advantages to treating young people while they are still growing, about thirty percent of today's orthodontic patients in the United States are adults. In addition to the tremendous strides that have been made in traditional orthodontic treatment, compliant adults are also great candidates for treatment with clear aligners such as Invisalign®. This wireless system allows us to straighten teeth using a series of nearly invisible plastic clear retainers to gently move the teeth into a more favorable and esthetic arrangement.
Q: Is orthodontic care expensive?
A: Orthodontic fees have increased only fractionally compared to other consumer products. When orthodontic treatment is implemented at the proper time, treatment is often less costly than the dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later. After examining you or your child, we will review the costs involved with treatment. We offer a variety of payment programs that will meet your needs. In addition, many insurance plans now include orthodontics.
Q: How long will I have to undergo orthodontic treatment?
A: It varies for each patient (typically one to three years, pending on each individual case) and always depends on how much your jaw needs to change and how far your teeth must move.
Q: What is a malocclusion?
A: Malocclusion literally means bad bite. Most malocclusions are inherited, but it is possible to acquire a bad bite from persistent habits such as tongue thrusting and thumb or lip sucking.
Q: What are some early warning signs of a bite problem?
A: Any of the following conditions warrant a visit to an orthodontist: early or late loss of primary teeth, difficulty in chewing or biting, mouth breathing, finger sucking or other oral habits beyond age five, overlapped, misplaced or blocked-out teeth, protruding teeth, biting the cheek or into the roof of the mouth, teeth that meet in an abnormal manner or do not meet at all, jaws that shift or make sounds, jaws that protrude, retrude or contribute to facial imbalance and speech difficulty.
Q: Will braces hurt?
A: Most patients experience some discomfort the first week after their braces are put on and immediately after an adjustment. Any pain reliever normally taken for headaches, such as Advil, Tylenol or Aleve, plus salt water rinses can be used to relieve the discomfort. Although the brackets have been rounded and smoothed, you may also find it helpful to use a small piece of wax on your brackets until the cheeks have "toughened" See our First Aid information to learn more.
Q: What can I eat with braces?
A: You can enjoy most of the foods you ate before you got your braces, but hard, crunchy and sticky foods can damage the braces and should be avoided. See our All About Braces page for more information.
Q: Why do baby teeth sometimes need to be pulled?
A: Extracting baby teeth may be necessary to allow severely crowded permanent teeth to come in at a normal time in a normal location. If the teeth remain crowded, some permanent teeth can be impacted (teeth that should have come in, but have not), or come into an undesirable position. To allow severely crowded teeth to move on their own into much more desirable positions, sequential removal of baby teeth and occasionally permanent teeth (usually first premolars) can dramatically improve a severe crowding problem.
Q: What about the wisdom teeth — should they be removed?
A: In about three out of four cases where teeth have not been removed during orthodontic treatment, there are good reasons to have the wisdom teeth removed, usually when a person reaches his or her mid- to late teen years. Your orthodontist, in consultation with your family dentist and oral surgeon, can determine what is right for you.
Q: How often will I need office visits?
A: Once your appliances are in place, routine office visits are at three to eight week intervals, based on your particular plan of treatment.
Q: Will I still be able to play sports?
A: Yes, although we recommend that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouth guard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouth guards are comfortable and inexpensive. We'll be happy to design one for you.
Q: Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
A: They shouldn't at all, although there may be an initial period of adjustment. Let us know if you have any problems.
Q: Why are retainers needed after orthodontic treatment?
A: After your braces are removed, your teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Make sure to wear your retainers exactly as Dr. Radu instructs you — it's the best insurance that your treatment improvements will last a lifetime.
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