FAQs

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What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

What is an orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a specialist who has completed an advanced education program following dental school to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.

What are some possible benefits of orthodontics?

  • A more attractive smile
  • Reduced appearance-consciousness during critical development years
  • Better function of the teeth
  • Possible increase in self-confidence
  • Increased ability to clean the teeth
  • Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth
  • Better long-term health of teeth and gums
  • Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
  • Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
  • Aids in optimizing other dental treatment

What are some signs that braces may be needed?

  • Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth, or are bucked
  • Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
  • Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth (underbite)
  • The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)
  • Crowded or overlapped teeth
  • The center of the upper and lower teeth do not line up
  • Finger- or thumb-sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
  • The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
  • Spaces between the teeth

At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?

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. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications. 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.

What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?

Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, and underbites, or harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

Would an adult patient benefit from orthodontics?

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Twenty to twenty-five percent of orthodontic patients today are adults.

How does orthodontic treatment work?

Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are the main components. When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis, but the average time is from one to two years. Actual treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the correction necessary. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments are important in keeping treatment time on schedule.

Do braces hurt?

The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the archwires you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to four days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.

Will braces interfere with playing sports?

No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouthguard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouthguards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?

No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers can be provided to prevent discomfort.

Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?

Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist every six months for cleanings and dental checkups.

Why are braces so inexpensive?  

Just 40 years ago treatment was less sophisticated, yet relatively more expensive.  A person could either purchase a VW Bug or have orthodontic treatment for about $1,800.  Today a VW bug costs about $18,000 while orthodontic treatment is about $6,000.  Just 40 years ago French fries at MacDonald’s were 10 cents a bag, today they are a dollar.  So why has everything from French fries to VW Bugs gone up 10 times in the last 40 years, while orthodontic treatment has only gone up about 3.5 times?  The answer is efficiency. 

40 years ago brackets were spot welded by hand onto metal bands that were fitted to each tooth by the orthodontist, a time-consuming and painful process.  Today brackets are precisely manufactured to customized prescriptions and bonded directly onto the tooth surface, saving the orthodontist steps, time and effort.  Many procedures that were all done by the orthodontist before can be delegated to highly trained technicians allowing the orthodontist to treat 3 or 4 patients in the same time he could treat 1 in the past.  Orthodontists have embraced computerization with a passion increasing efficiency.  Here is a short list of items which were done by hand in the past and are now digital:  charting, models, photos, X-rays, ceph tracings and analysis, cad cam setups of the finished result [used in OrthoCAD iQ, Invisalign, Sure Smile and I Braces], account payment, management, appointment scheduling with automated call or e-mail reminders, ability to access your account, photos, X-rays, make payments, change appointments on the web, etc.

This efficiency has kept the price of orthodontics from increasing 10 times to $18,000 per case, and instead it is only about $5,000 to $6,000 per case, less for easier treatments and more for complex ones.  

What happens if I move away?

If you move to another office during treatment we will assist you in finding 1 or more qualified orthodontists familiar with your braces and treatment for you to transfer to. We will complete a detailed transfer form and print out duplicate records. Usually, the new orthodontist will want to take progress records and decide on what treatment is necessary to complete your case. We find this extra effort plus regional fee differences frequently add an additional $1,000 to the total treatment cost. In the "Informed Consent" page that you sign at the beginning of treatment #7 details the formula that we will use to calculate the amount you are obligated to pay when you move. If you have paid in full in the beginning or more than 1/2 down, you will frequently have money refunded to you. If you have paid less than 1/2 down you will normally still owe our office a balance for services already rendered when you move. By the time you have your braces placed, our office has earned 50% at least of your fee. This is the time consuming and most important part of treatment: the examination, records, diagnosis, treatment plan, placement of the braces and appliances. The remaining appointments are more routine, quicker and several weeks or months apart making them less of the total treatment fee. Your payment plan seldom parallels the value of the services rendered.

If I have braces put on in the Philippines, will I save money?

No, it will cost you $430 more than if you simply just start here. Here’s the reason. The braces you would have placed in another country will probably not be the type that we use. Secondly, they will probably not be placed in the positions we need. [One time a patient came in with all her braces placed upside-down]. Therefore to save you time and money, we would first remove the braces at a cost of $430 and then charge you our regular fee to diagnose, take records, treatment plan, place needed braces and appliances and then complete your treatment.

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