Q & A

Straight Answers about Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the specialized treatment of a facial, dental or functional condition that may cause one to be unhappy with his appearance, bite, or smile. The orthodontist’s primary objective is NOT to straighten teeth; rather the major concern is the entire facial function and appearance. Harmony and balance of the face from childhood are produced by proper relationships between muscles, bone, joint, and teeth. The desired results not only include straight teeth, but also facial aesthetics, good bite, improved speech, a winning smile, and an appropriate self image.

Why do you like coming to Dr. Walker’s office?

“You get to learn how to shoot gloves into the trash.”

“They give away cool prizes.”

“They have the coolest staff.”

“They have scented gloves.”

“They treat you like family.”

How much do braces cost? Is financing available? How does my insurance work?

Until Dr. Walker examines you or your child, it’s impossible to give the exact cost as every treatment is different. The exact cost and financial arrangements will be discussed in detail at the first visit (remember it’s free!). Discounts are offered for fees paid in full or for patients whose siblings have had treatment.

Do I need a referral from a dentist?

In a word, no.

What age should my child first be seen for an orthodontic evaluation?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child be seen by age seven. Early detection and treatment of growth and dental problems can provide results that will not be achieved at a later age, even sometimes avoiding braces and/or surgery later in life.

Shouldn’t I just wait until all my child’s adult teeth come in before we see an orthodontist?

It’s important for your child to be checked early in order to avoid any potential problems. This type of care can often prevent having permanent teeth taken out or improper jaw growth.

How long do I have to wear braces?

That will depend on you! If you wear your elastics or appliances consistently and make every effort to have good oral hygiene, the faster your teeth and bite will improve. Rarely, the teeth can be stubborn and not move as quickly as estimated, but if you do everything you are asked and care for your braces/appliances as you should, you should stay right on track.

Are braces the only form of orthodontic treatment?

No, for some issues there are other options – sometimes braces are not needed to achieve noticeable improvements in the way teeth are aligned. Whether or not this is true for you would be determined at your initial evaluation.

Am I too old for orthodontics? What if I don’t want to wear braces?

You’re never too old to have straight teeth! About twenty five percent of our practice is adults, largely due to the importance today’s society places on aesthetics. Having a great smile is more important than ever, and there are many adults who were unable to have treatment as children. Adults who decide to have treatment are super-motivated and willing to do whatever it takes to obtain results, especially now that they are spending their own money rather than their parents’. With all the new technology, there are more ways than ever to improve your smile – it only takes an hour of your time and zero cash to find out about the options.

Can I play sports while I have braces?

Only if you could play before you had them (ba da bing, ba da boom). Of course you can play! We definitely want every patient who plays sports of any kind to wear a mouth guard. We are happy to provide you a special orthodontic mouth guard. Over the years, we have seen patients whose teeth were saved because they were wearing braces. A line drive or an elbow during a basketball game could knock out unprotected teeth, so keep the mouthguard handy and never leave home without it!

Can I still play my mouth instrument while I have braces?

It will be affected temporarily, but you can play as well as you did before braces by doing the same thing it takes to get to Carnegie Hall – practice, practice, practice. Having braces does take some adjustments, but most of our patients say it only takes a week or so for the mouth to adjust.

Are there any foods or activities I should avoid when I have braces?

Oh, yeah.

DO NOTS:

Hard, brittle food (hard candy, hard cereal bars, sunflower seeds in shells, ice, popcorn, etc.)
Chewy & Sticky food (bubble gum, caramels, taffy, airheads, gummies, etc.)

Pens, pencils & fingernails are off limits for chewing – if you eat these, we may have other issues.

DO DIFFERENTLYS:

Cut in smaller pieces and chew on back teeth (apples, carrots, hard bread, pizza crusts, Doritos, etc.)

Cut corn off the cob.

Why do I have to wear rubber bands? They hurt, so I take them out.

Rubber bands are usually given to you toward the latter part of your treatment and provide the extra sumpin, sumpin your teeth need to move into the proper places. Granted, the teeth get sore when you first start wearing them. But if you can just hang in there through the first day or so, the discomfort will lessen, then go away. If you take them off when they hurt, you end up taking one step forward and two steps back to the starting line where they start hurting all over again. If you wanna finish the race and get those braces off quickly, you will wear those rubber bands 24/7 (or every night- however Dr. Walker tells you to wear them), taking them off only to eat. Bottom line? If you don’t wear them, your teeth won’t move, then you will not be able to get your braces off when you expect.

Will I have to wear a retainer when I get my braces off?

The day your braces come off, you may receive "permanent" retainers on the backside of your front teeth, and we will take an impression for a removable upper retainer that you will wear only at night. The most important thing you can do in order to keep your smile looking fabulous is wear your retainer.

My permanent retainer is broken. Can I just have it removed?

The better question is how long do you want your teeth to stay straight? Teeth move and shift your entire life, so Dr. Walker recommends leaving them in place. If it breaks, we can repair it easily. Wearing a removable retainer instead of a permanent increases the odds it will be lost (mo’money!) and also increases the chances that you will forget to wear it. We can remove fixed retainers and give you removable ones to wear every night, we just prefer the fixed retainers. Dr. Walker will recommend what he feels will work best for you, but the ultimate choice is yours.