FAQs

If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great time to see the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens. Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any time is a good time to visit the orthodontist.

The amount of time spent in braces will vary, depending on the individual patient, because every smile responds differently to treatment. Treatment times can take anywhere between six and 30 months, but most standard treatments take about 22 months.

A retainer holds or retains your teeth in their final position after your braces come off. There are several types of retainers, but in most cases retainers can’t move teeth that much. Initially, when active treatment is complete, we ask that you use your retainer day and night.

Invisalign clear aligners are made of flexible plastic — specifically, a patented thermoplastic material called  SmartTrack created exclusively for Invisalign Treatment.

Just like braces, the length of treatment with Invisalign is dependent on many factors, but mainly the complexity of your bite. In general, full treatment with Invisalign lasts 12-24 months, however, minor corrections can take a little as a few months.

Anything you want. Unlike braces, all you have to do is take out your aligners, and you can indulge in whatever food fits your mood.

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water and using special cleaning tablets. It’s important that you brush your teeth after each meal before re-inserting your aligners to maintain good oral hygiene.

7 years old. This is a recommendation by our orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

At 7 years old, the adult 1^st molars have erupted. This allows our orthodontist to get an initial baseline diagnosis for your child’s bite, guiding future treatment and any early treatment recommendations.

An orthodontic consultation does not necessitate orthodontic treatment. In fact, most children do not need early orthodontic treatment.

The appropriate time to begin your child’s early interceptive orthodontics will vary depending on the type and severity of their malocclusion, as well as their stage in dental development.

Our orthodontists believe that early orthodontic treatment should only be administered when absolutely necessary. After a thorough consultation, you deserve and can expect an honest recommendation for the timing of your child’s treatment.

These are a few of the most common results of interceptive treatment:

• Enhancing/Influencing jaw growth to establish facial symmetry
• Reducing the need for removal of permanent (adult) teeth
• Creating space for unerupted teeth
• Creating space for crowded and erupting teeth
• Reducing overbites and correcting underbites
• Minimizing risk of trauma to protruding teeth
• Correcting asymmetrical jaw alignment due to crossbites
• Reducing risk of treatment complications and difficulties after growth has stopped

• Finger or thumb sucking habits
• Speech impediments
• Trouble eating or chewing
• Mouth breathing
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Open bite (front teeth do not come together)
• Protruding teeth
• Under bite
• Jaw asymmetry

After the initial consultation, if it is determined that your child does not need any interceptive treatment, he or she will be put on “recall” status at our office. Your child will return for recall appointments every 6-12 months for our doctors to monitor their growth and dental development.