1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
6. What will I learn from the initial examination?
7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
10. How often will I have appointments?
11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
13. Do braces hurt?
14. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
15. Do you give shots?
16. Do you use recycled braces?
17. Can I still play sports?
18. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
19. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
20. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
21. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
22. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
23. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
24. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
25. Will my child need an expander?
26. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
27. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
28. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.
2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.
3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.
4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail, or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you. Contact us
5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
The initial appointment is for a preliminary clinical examination to determine whether there is a need for orthodontic treatment. The diagnosis, plan of treatment, anticipated length of treatment, and payment plans will be discussed. We may take a panoramic x-ray and facial/oral photos at this first visit so that the doctor can make a comprehensive evaluation. The entire appointment should take about an hour and is complimentary.
To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.
6. What will I learn from the initial examination?
There are four essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
· Is there an orthodontic problem and if so, what is it?
· What must be done to correct the problem?
· How long will the treatment take to complete?
· How much will the treatment cost?
7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.
8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 22 months.
9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy, and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.
10. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 6 to 8 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly. Invisalign patients are seen every 8 weeks.
11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, most patients miss minimal school since the majority of appointments are short (20-30) minutes and scheduled 6-8 weeks apart. Longer appointments are scheduled in the morning so that an entire afternoon is not committed to one or two patients. In this way, we can see many patients after school and after work for the shorter appointments. We also offer a shuttle van and will pick up your child from school (all PUSD schools) and bring them back after their appointment.
12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return, so we ask that parents check in with the front desk before dropping off their child.
13. Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not “hurt.” After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”
14. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
15. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
16. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
17. Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
18. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.
19. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
20. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
We ask you to brush your teeth after every meal and before going to bed at night. We provide a toothbrush kit for every patient starting braces. The kit includes a bnew toothbrush, a travel toothbrush, flouride rinse and all the essentials to keep your teeth clean and healthy while in braces. Every patient also will watch a short video demonstrating how to clean your teeth with braces and how to take care of any potential issues.
21. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
EMERGENCIES – Call (858) 487-0173
Emergencies require immediate attention. They include severe pain, profuse bleeding, suspected infection, or injury. Some discomfort is expected, and can usually be relieved with Advil or Tylenol. However, if you are in severe pain, or have any of the above listed issues, Dr. Henry or a clinical staff member is on call at all times.
REPAIRS – Call (858) 487-0173
Repairs do not require immediate attention, but you should still call the office as soon as you have a problem, so that we can adjust your next appointment timing.
- LOOSE BANDS OR BRACKETS- If the band or bracket comes loose from the tooth, but is still tied to the arch wire, it may cause irritation. Either remove it with your finger, or cover it with wax. Save your bracket and bring it with you to your repair appointment.
- BROKEN ARCH WIRES- Cover the loose end with wax or clip with small wire cutter or nail clippers.
- LOOSE COLOR TIES/ METAL TIES- Remove color ties with your finger or tweezers. Use the eraser end of a pencil to push metal ties inward until they are no longer irritating.
- POKEY WIRES- Cover the pokey end with wax to prevent further irritation or carefully clip with small wire cutter or nail clippers.
To see actual repairs, go to our website
22. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient’s growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.
23. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment lasts about 12-21 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe, and to improve self-esteem and self-image.
24. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the “resting period,” during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.
25. Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
26. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 30% of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is “too old” to wear braces!
27. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.
28. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.
