No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients contact our office directly to schedule an examination.

Any age is appropriate if there are orthodontic concerns. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening is age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

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.

If you or your dentist are concerned about your bite or the alignment of your teeth, simply call our office, or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you.

At the initial appointment the doctor will conduct a thorough examination and answer any questions you may have. We will cover questions such as:

• 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?
• How much will the treatment cost?

Because of new technology and advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. Removing teeth is only sometimes necessary to achieve the best orthodontic result.

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 24 months.

At the initial exam we will discuss the cost and financial options. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs. We are happy to review your insurance benefits and file claims for you.

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 4 to 6 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 6 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.

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.

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. After most visits many patients do not feel any soreness at all!

Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.

Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.

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.

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.

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 and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.

If your braces are causing unusual pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require emergency care, we will be happy to see you.

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early Phase I 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. If Phase I is necessary it is usually initiated when children are between the ages of 7 and 10. Treatment lasts about 12-21 months. The primary objective for early treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe.

It is best to assume that your child will need full braces once all the permanent teeth erupt even after Phase One treatment. Growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.

A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults and we want to help you achieve a beautiful smile. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!

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.