Click on a question of interest below:
What is Orthodontics?
What are braces?
Do braces hurt?
What causes crooked teeth or malocclusion (bad bite)?
Will I need to have some teeth pulled or extracted?
What is a good age to start braces on my child?
Can and do adults get braces?
Do we have Invisalign?
How long do people usually have to wear braces?
What can I eat with braces?
What are retainers?
How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
Do we take dental/orthodontic insurance?
What financial arrangements are available?


What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specific branch of dentistry dealing with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental (tooth) irregularities and facial deformities.
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What are braces?
Braces are what orthodontists use to correct the previously mentioned problems.
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Do braces hurt?
The level of discomfort varies from patient to patient, usually lasts no longer than a few days, and can be easily controlled with over the counter medications like Advil or Tylenol.
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What causes crooked teeth or malocclusion (bad bite)?
The causes are a combination of environmental (after birth) and inherited (genetic, no more than 50%) factors.
Genetic examples: cleft palate and/or lip, extra or missing teeth and differential jaw growth.
Environmental examples: thumb sucking, trauma and premature loss of teeth.
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Will I need to have some teeth pulled or extracted?
This varies from patient to patient, and depends on many factors that can be discussed at the initial exam appointment.
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What is a good age to start my child with braces?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children should be examined by an orthodontist at age 7. Reasons for a screening at this age include dental and facial problems arising from crossbites and underbites, for example.
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Can and do adults get braces?
The answer is yes. About 20% of the patients in an orthodontic practice are adults. With the aesthetic choices of clear brackets (braces) like Clarity or no braces at all (Invisalign), it is extremely easy to have straight teeth and a beautiful smile.
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Do we have Invisalign?
Yes.
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How long do people usually have to wear braces?
On average, children and adolescents have braces on for 12-24 months, and adults for approximately 6-9 months longer.
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What can I eat with braces?
We have a list of certain foods that should be avoided while you have your braces on. These are usually any really hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods which can pop off a bracket.
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What are retainers?
Once your braces come off, your teeth will be somewhat loose. While your teeth tighten up, which takes about 6 to 12 months, retainers help to keep or retain your teeth in the position they were in when your braces came off. Most retainers are removable so you can put them in or take them out of your mouth, but some are fixed (to the back of our teeth) to where they stay on your teeth all the time.
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How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
There are many factors that go into your orthodontic treatment fee, such as the severity of the orthodontic problem, how long treatment is expected to take, and your age. The orthodontic treatment fee is discussed at the initial exam appointment. At most orthodontic offices like ours, the initial exam is complimentary.
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Do we take dental/orthodontic insurance?
We will gladly work with any dental insurance plan and fill out all of the appropriate paperwork for you. You are still able to fully utilize your benefits, they just go to you instead of us. It’s that simple!
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What financial arrangements are available?
Payments can be made via cash, check, Visa, or Mastercard. We have very flexible financing options, and provide automatic drafting of checking or credit card accounts for added convenience.
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