Frequently Asked Questions

A first examination by age 7 is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists, as the front permanent teeth are erupting, unless your dentist has found an area of concern earlier (for example, a crossbite). This does not mean that treatment needs to be started this early but at this time we can give you an idea about how your child’s mouth is developing and what the long-term treatment sequence may be. Early treatment (Phase 1) is usually between the ages of 6 to 11 and is done to correct specific early problems that are best treated before eruption or growth is completed. Full treatment (with braces on all of the permanent teeth) is usually between ages 11 to 15. There is no age limit to having braces. With people living longer and keeping their natural teeth, more adults are seeking the esthetic and functional benefits that braces can provide.

The timing of treatment is very important in obtaining an ideal result. The overriding goal of treatment in our office is to reduce the length of time that you or your child will have your braces on. We pride ourselves on having the shortest treatment times possible and you will find that we are able to complete your orthodontic correction much faster than what is common in other practices, both for Phase 1-Phase 2 treatment and One Phase treatment. A critical part of achieving this goal is proper timing in placing your braces. Our Pre-Orthodontics Guidance Program allows us to time your treatment so that you will have your braces on the shortest amount of time possible to achieve a beautiful result.

Our Pre-Orthodontic Guidance Program includes all of the examinations, the necessary radiographs to assess growth and development and skeletal jaw balance, and any indicated prescriptions regarding possible removal of baby or permanent teeth. The fee for this program is included in your future active treatment fee – there is no additional charge for this service. Proper planning can yield shorter treatment times, better results, and greater post-treatment stability. We want our patients to have a truly beautiful, healthy smile that will last for a lifetime and we want to achieve this correction in a reasonable amount of time.

Yes of course! Teeth can be moved throughout our lifetimes. Our oldest patients have been 87 and 83 years old and over 40% of our practice is made up of adults. Orthodontics is an investment in your child or yourself with life-long returns. It’s never too late to reap the benefits of a better smile or improved function.

Yes. Unfortunately, teeth continue to shift throughout our lifetime. (the main reason why we recommend permanent retainers). Thus your smile can change as we age and how your teeth work / function can be affected.

Types of Braces

Metal

Metal braces are traditional braces where the brackets and wires are made out of strong light weight metals.

Pros: Because they are stronger then other methods they deliver better esthetic results and shorter treatment times.

Cons: Visually they are more noticeable. However, using light white gold brackets and slightly gold colored wires makes them surprisingly less noticeable. Some patients report that some people never even notice they have braces.

Ceramic

Ceramic braces are the same shape & size as metal braces except the brackets are tooth colored or clear.

Pros: Ceramic braces are less noticeable than metal braces. They move teeth much faster than clear plastic aligners (Invisalign).

Cons: Ceramic brackets are not as strong as metal brackets, which means that they break more easily, so the progression through the arch wires is slower, resulting in longer treatment times. The clear elastic ties stain somewhat over time, especially if patients drink coffee, tea, or red wine. Finally, they aren’t able to move teeth as precisely as metal brackets. Thus, there is an additional fee for ceramic brackets.

Invisalign / Aligner treatment

Invisalign / aligner treatment is based on composite glue attachments to the teeth and clear plastic retainer-like aligners that are removable and replaced every few weeks.

Pros: These are much less noticeable than other types of braces.

Cons: Treatment times are much longer and this approach is unable to generate the same esthetic results as metal braces. As a result, Invisalign / aligner treatment is not suitable for many situations. The cost of aligner treatment is more than standard braces.