| |||||
        | |||||
| FAQs | Referrals |
 
How does Dr. Henry determine if I need braces? Orthodontics is more than just straightening teeth. For a bite to be stable the teeth have to fit together in the correct way. Dr. Henry not only wants you to have straight, beautiful teeth, but he also wants to position your teeth so that you have a healthy bite and balanced face. Depending on the severity of the case, some people need to start braces as soon as they get their first permanent teeth. Other cases can wait until almost all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Dr. Henry will be able to tell you when will be the most advantageous time to start treatment. The relationship of bones that support the upper and lower teeth can also determine when treatment is needed. Sometimes it is necessary to use the patient's own growth spurts to alter the growth of these bones in order to bring facial structure to a balanced, healthy environment. Heredity, missing teeth, and thumb-sucking habits are also variables that can help us determine when best to start treatment. Our goal is to make treatment time as short as possible while also achieving the absolute best results. Back to Top What if I am not ready for braces? Dr. Henry will first determine if orthodontic treatment is indicated. If treatment is needed, Dr. Henry will recommend the best possible time to start orthodontics. He will advise you and your family as to when treatment should start to achieve the best results - in the shortest amount of time! Back to Top Why do some kids need braces before others? Every mouth is unique. Even within the same family, there can be many variables that determine when and if treatment is needed. Dr. Henry can tell from your individual records what variables need to be taken into consideration when determining the most efficient time to start treatment. Most patients will get braces when they have almost all of their permanent teeth. This happens for most children between ten and thirteen years of age. Some patients will need to have braces twice -- once when the front permanent teeth start to come in (usually around ages seven or eight) and again when almost all of the permanent teeth have erupted (usually between ten and thirteen years old). In some cases, early treatment can keep a small problem from getting worse as a child develops. The "starter" set of braces that younger children wear can accomplish several goals. Some situations of extensive crowding can be corrected as early as age eight. An early phase of braces can straighten front teeth that make children self-conscious or pull in teeth that stick out too far so they are not prone to breaking during sports or other physical activities. "Starter braces" can be used to fix cross bites (where the upper teeth don't fit correctly with the lower teeth) and correct habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. "Starter braces" can also be used with other appliances to "guide" a child's bones to grow in a way that will make the child's face more balanced as they get older. Patients can often avoid more extensive and severe treatment (even surgery) in the long run by having interceptive orthodontic treatment at a younger age coupled with a short phase of full braces as a teenager. Please let us know if you are concerned that you child may have a problem that would benefit form early treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child see an orthodontist by age seven to ensure that treatment is provided at the most advantageous time. Back to Top Are there different types of braces? Yes. The two main categories of braces are metal braces and clear or tooth-colored braces. Dr. Henry is committed to using the finest quality brackets or braces available. Our office uses wires that are state-of-the-art. The wires apply very gentle and continuous forces to the teeth. This leads to less discomfort and a faster treatment time! Research has shown that teeth actually respond more effectively to light pressure. Also, Dr. Henry's high-tech wires lead to longer intervals between appointments. Our ties come in many different colors. From discreet, clear ties to brightly colored ties that can be used to show school spirit or festive holiday colors, we have a lot to choose from. Use our "Color Choices" page on this website to experiment with different color combinations for your braces. You may be a candidate for orthodontic treatment with Invisalign®. Invisalign technology uses a set of clear aligners to straighten teeth. Dr. Henry has been specially trained to offer this alternative to traditional braces. Please ask us if you would like Dr. Henry to determine if your particular case can be treated with Invisalign. Back to Top How often will I need to come in for adjustments? Once your braces are on, we will see you every six to eight weeks for adjustments. Most of these adjustment appointments can be scheduled after school and only take a few minutes. Please call ahead and let us know if you will be unable to make your appointment so we can make the valuable after school space available to another patient. Back to Top How long will I need to wear my braces? There are many variables that determine the length of orthodontic treatment. One is the severity of the individual case. Treatment can be as fast as one year and in rare cases as long as 2 ½ years. Dr. Henry will be able to tell you at your first appointment approximately how long your case will take. Once your braces are on, it is a cooperative effort between you, your family, and our office to achieve the best results and get the braces off as soon as possible. Broken braces, failed appointments, poor oral hygiene or failure to wear elastics as prescribed can extend treatment times. Your ability to care for your braces and attend appointments will help facilitate getting your braces off as soon as possible. Back to Top How often do I need to get my teeth cleaned while I am in braces? We recommend that all of our orthodontic patients see their family dentist for checkups and cleanings at least every six months. How you care for your braces during your orthodontic treatment has an effect on how the teeth will look when you are finished with braces. Back to Top How much do braces cost? The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options with our financial coordinator at the initial exam visit. We offer numerous payment plans to suit different budgets, including a no-down-payment option. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontic treatment affordable. Back to Top | ||||
| Home | About Us | New Patients | Orthodontics | Braces 101 | Links | Games | Comments | Contact Us | Patient Login | Site Map | |
Orthodontic Website Design by Sesame Design™  | |