Does my family dentist need to schedule my orthodontist appointment?
No. They simply need to make the referral, and then you are welcome to call and make the appointment.

At what age should my child see an orthodontist for screening?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist at the first sign of trouble. If there are no problems, they recommend that children come in at age seven just to look for any potential problems. At this age, they should have a few of their permanent teeth, including their first molars, which will help to determine their bite.

Why is it important? Won’t my teeth straighten out as they grow?

Though many people believe this, your teeth won’t straighten out as you grow. The amount of space that you have for each tooth doesn’t change either. Actually, the space (especially for the front teeth) can decrease as your teeth continue to come in.

How can I schedule my appointment for the initial examination?

It is easy to schedule an appointment. Just give us a call at (270) 769-2186. We also respond to email, or you can fill out our request form online any time of day or night. We will work with you to schedule an appointment that is convenient for you. We recommend filling out the paperwork prior to your first appointment, if possible, so you can be seen in a timely fashion.

What should I expect during the first appointment?
At your first examination, we ask that you try to fill out the paperwork beforehand to reduce your waiting time. We will then go over your medical and dental history. It is also important to let us know if you are having any problems with your teeth, mouth, or jaw.

We will then perform a thorough examination with x-rays so that we can get you a diagnosis. At that time, we will go over your options so that you can have a smile of which you are proud.

Do I learn anything during my first examination?

After we have finished the examination, we hope you have plenty of information. We can determine if there is any problem and what our options our to correct it. We will also discuss your options, the cost of each, and what to expect with treatment.

Will you need to remove teeth prior to getting braces?
There are times when we will have to remove some teeth to ensure that we get the best result. However, some new advances allow us to get nice smiles without removing any teeth.

How long will it take to finish treatment?

Treatment times vary greatly depending on a patient’s age, what we are treating, and what the treatment is.
Treatment normally lasts twelve to thirty months, and the average time for braces is twenty-two months.

How expensive are braces? Do you offer financing? Will my insurance help?

Since every treatment is different depending on the patient’s specific needs, it is impossible to estimate the cost until after your first visit. At that time, we will go over the cost and discuss financing. We will also work with you to get your insurance to cover as much of it as possible.

How often will I have to come in for appointments?
Since all treatments are different, it can be hard to know how often you will need to come in for appointments. Generally, we like to see most patients every five to ten weeks, though there are some patients who need to be monitored more frequently.

Will my child have to miss school for appointments?
Since many of our patients are in school, we can’t schedule them all for after school hours. We will try to work with you by scheduling appointments in advance to minimize missed school.

Can I just drop my child off for the appointment?
We do allow you to drop your child off because we understand that you are busy. However, there are times when we may need to speak to you before drop off. Make sure that we don’t need your consent for something before you leave.

Will braces hurt?
Braces are not supposed to hurt. There are going to be some visits that make your teeth sore for a few days. You should be able to get some relief with over-the-counter pain medications. Most appointments won’t cause you to be sore at all.

Will I be able to go to school the day that I get my braces?
You should be just fine to go to school after we put on your braces.

Will I have to get a shot?
We don’t give shots during treatment.

Can you use recycled braces?
No! Every patient deserves their own personalized braces so that they can get the results they deserve.

Can I still play sports?
You can still play sports. However, we do recommend using a mouthgard to protect your teeth, braces, and jaw.

While I am wearing braces and going to the orthodontist, will I still need to go to my regular dentist?
Yes. It is really important to go to your regular dentist while wearing braces to ensure that your mouth, teeth, and gums stay healthy.

Are there going to be foods that I can’t eat when I have braces?
Yes. Once we determine that you need braces, we will go over a complete list of foods that you can’t eat. To give you an idea of what you have to stay away from, you will need to avoid hard candy, raw vegetables, sticky food, and more. By following some simple rules, you are less likely to damage your braces.

Do I still need to brush my teeth while wearing braces? How often?
Yes, you need to take care of your teeth even though they are in braces. We recommend brushing your teeth after every meal and before you go to bed. We will show you how to floss while wearing braces so you don’t get cavities. There are also times when you may need special fluoride to keep your teeth strong.

What constitutes an emergency? What should I do?
Anytime your braces cause you a lot of pain or break, it is important to give us a call. Sometimes we can help you over the phone, though there are times when you will need to be seen. We will squeeze you in during these times.

Can you perform treatment on children with baby teeth?
We can perform some treatments and often see great success with early intervention. If your child is not ready for treatment, we will monitor him or her until the time is right to start treatment.

What is Phase One Treatment?
Phase One treatment is considered early treatment. It is started when a child is between seven and ten years old. It lasts about twelve to twenty-one months. It is our goal to help address significant problems to prevent them from becoming worse and causing bad self-esteem later during the teenage years.

If we complete Phase One treatment, will my child need full braces?
After Phase One treatment, we will closely monitor your child’s growth and teeth eruption to determine if braces are needed and when. It is best to plan for braces after the treatment.

Will my child need an expander?
Whether or not your child needs an expander depends on what we find during the examination. However, we are proud to use the Damon system, which keeps many patients from needing an expander.

Am I too old for braces since I am an adult?

Twenty-five percent of orthodontic patients are adults who want a better smile. It is never too late to get the smile you deserve.

Will braces work even if I have crowns and missing teeth?

We still place braces on adults with crowns and missing teeth. In fact, orthodontic treatment really helps to keep your other teeth in alignment.

Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?

In order to get the smile you deserve, you should look for specialists who have extra training and experience with orthodontic procedures. They are very skilled at what they do and often offer more options than your regular dentist may offer.