We have compiled a list of questions we get asked the most! Just click on the question you would like to know more about and it will take you right to the answer.
If you don’t see your question here, feel free to give us a call.
1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with you?
2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
4. Will I have to travel out of town for some appointments?
5. How do I schedule an initial exam?
6. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
7. What will I learn from the initial exam?
8. Will I need to have my teeth extracted for braces?
9. How long will it take to complete treatment?
10. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
11. How often will I have appointments?
12. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
13. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
14. Do braces hurt?
15. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
16. Do you give shots?
17. Do you use recycled braces?
18. Can I still play sports?
19. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
20. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
21. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
22. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
23. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
24. What is Phase One (early) treatment?
25. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
26. Will my child need an expander?
27. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
28. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and teeth missing?
29. What if orthodontic treatment alone can’t correct the bite?
30. Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?
1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with you?
No, it is not! Many of our patients are referred to us 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.
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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. Will I have to travel out of town for some appointments?
No. We now have the ability to do all procedures here in Bear Lake valley. Now there is no need to travel out of town for any aspect of your orthodontic treatment with us.
5. How do I schedule an initial exam?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office at 540-0131. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, we will request some basic information from you.
6. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving at our office, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. Dr. Johnson will complete a thorough exam.
7. What will I learn from the initial exam?
There are five essential questions (and answers) 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?
- Will any teeth need to be removed?
- How long will the treatment take to complete?
- If treatment is needed, how much will the treatment cost?
8. Will I need to have my 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.
9. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range form 12 to 30 months. The “average” timeframe a person is in braces is approximately 24 months.
10. 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 performed an examination. We have financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.
11. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every four to six weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
12. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Usually this is not a problem due to the fact most of our scheduled days are on Friday when school is not in session for the local district. Occasionally there are some scheduled days on a school day, and we will make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
13. 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.
14. 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!
15. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes! There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
16. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
17. 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.
18. Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
19. 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. As a courtesy we will remove the arch wires prior to your cleaning appointment to ensure a thorough cleaning and will then replace the wires after the cleaning. We will also be happy to schedule with your dentist while you are in our office so that the appointments coordinate.
20. 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.
21. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day – after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces.
22. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.
23. 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 through our no fee recall program.
24. 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 usually lasts about 12 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.
25. 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.
26. Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
27. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is “too old” to wear braces!
28. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and teeth missing?
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.
29. What if orthodontic treatment alone can’t correct the bite?
Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) may be necessary. Orthognathic surgery treats and corrects abnormalities of the facial bones, specifically the jaws and the teeth. Often, these abnormalities cause difficulty associated with chewing, talking, sleeping, and other routine activities. Orthognathic surgery corrects these problems and, in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, will improve the overall appearance of the facial profile. Using the latest in digital imaging technology, we will demonstrate the overall functional and aesthetic benefits of orthognathic surgery. Computerized treatment planning minimizes treatment times, recovery periods and the overall efficacy of your surgery. State-of-the-art materials such as titanium plates and miniature screws provide stability, strength, and predictability to your treatment. These advances in technology, procedures, and equipment reduce post-surgical recovery time, thus allowing patients to return to their normal routines soon after surgery. We will determine if orthognathic surgery is the correct treatment option for you and work closely with an oral surgeon to reach the best possible outcome.
30. Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?
Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments. Orthodontic treatment may permanently change your teeth and possibly your face and profile. You will want a well-qualified professional working for the best possible results. All orthodontists go to dental school for four years of training. They then attend two to three years of additional orthodontic training.
Orthodontic specialists limit their practice to orthodontic treatment only. They have learned the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development by completing an extensive advanced training program after dental school.