brackets<\/a> placed on the 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 the teeth to their more ideal positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow long does orthodontic treatment take?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis, but the average time is 12-24 months. Actual treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the necessary correction. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments are important in keeping treatment time on schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do braces hurt?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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 tenderness or soreness of your teeth for a few days. Your lips and cheeks may also need one to two weeks to adjust to the braces on your teeth. After most adjustment visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, \u201cIt does not have to hurt to work!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will braces interfere with playing sports?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouthguard when they participate in any sporting activity. Mouthguards are inexpensive and comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No. However, there may be a short period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers and wax can be used to prevent discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist every six months for cleanings and dental checkups unless they recommend more frequent intervals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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. And, it is much easier to correct problems with crowding when there are baby teeth still present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office or send us an e-mail. You can fill out an appointment request at the bottom of this page and we will be happy to contact you to schedule your appointment. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. At times, the jaws do not have enough room to accommodate all the teeth and trying to fit them all can be more detrimental than beneficial and the result of orthodontic treatment will not be as good. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. The cost of treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the severity of the case. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have several financing options available to accommodate our patients needs, and we will review these with you. We never want finances to stand in the way of orthodontic treatment. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How often will I have appointments?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in treatment will be seen every 4 to 8 weeks. At times, there are situations that require more frequent monitoring and we will schedule appointments accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. Long appointments for placing braces are typically scheduled in the morning or early afternoons. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 8 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I return to school the same day as my braces are placed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes. There is no reason you cannot return to school the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you give shots?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment. The process of putting braces on is quite painless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you use recycled braces?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Absolutely not! In fact, our braces come individually packaged and are brand new for each patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are there certain foods I cannot eat while I have braces?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will go over 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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 brush and floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Many of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is “too old” to wear braces!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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. Dr. Newman can talk to you about the specifics of treatment when teeth are missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. As a Board Certified Orthodontic Specialist, Dr. Newman has extensive and specialized training that enables her to provide her patients with professional, personalized treatments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What is orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics? Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is one of the nine dental specialties that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. You probably know that an orthodontist straightens teeth. Indeed, \u201cortho\u201d comes from the Greek for \u201cstraight\u201d or \u201ccorrect,\u201d and \u201cdontic\u201d from the Greek for \u201cteeth.\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":324,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n
Braces FAQs - Bordentown Braces<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n