Q: What is an orthodontist?
A: An orthodontist is a dentist who has graduated from a 2 to 3 year advanced university based specialty training program that is necessary for the treatment and correction of misaligned teeth and jaws. If the orthodontist is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists you can rest assured they have received the appropriate training.
Q: What is the appropriate age for a child to begin orthodontic treatment?
A: The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all patients be seen for an orthodontic examination around age 7. Many severe problems can be prevented from fully developing by initiating early orthodontic treatment (age 7 to 9 years old.) It is best to be seen by an orthodontist at or before age 7 to determine if they have orthodontic problems and the appropriate time for the orthodontist to intervene with treatment of these problems.
Q: Am I too old to have braces?
A: Believe it or not, 25 percent of our patients are adults and the number is growing. Many adults think that teeth cannot be moved. This is not true! In fact, many cases move even better, because adult patients tend to be more cooperative than some of our younger patients.
Q: How much do braces cost?
A: Costs for orthodontic treatment vary according to the length of treatment and complexity of the case. We offer a variety of financial options to accommodate our patient's needs. For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. For additional information, please speak to our Financial Coordinator.
Q: Will insurance pay for orthodontic care?
A: Many patients have orthodontic benefits as part of their dental plan. Please check with your insurance or benefits manager as to the extent of your coverage. Not all patients with dental coverage have orthodontic coverage. This is dependent on the employer's decision as to the extent of dental coverage they wish to purchase. Orthodontic insurance generally differs from regular dental insurance in that each insured individual usually has a lifetime maximum benefit for orthodontic services. This benefit is paid as a percentage of the orthodontic fee until the benefit maximum has been reached. Our office will gladly file insurance claims and receive the benefit paid provided the insurance information is thoroughly and accurately communicated.
Q: Do braces hurt?
A: We use the most current technology for orthodontic movement of teeth. These technological advances have made treatment more comfortable for patients. The orthodontic brackets we use are smaller and smoother, plus gentle wires provide a continuous light force. Typically the patient is not uncomfortable while in the office but will experience some discomfort for two to three days after each adjustment. Over the counter pain relievers can be taken for sore teeth.
Q: Will braces affect playing sports?
A: You should be able to participate in just about any sport or activity. We highly recommend wearing a mouth guard when participating in contact sports or any sports where there is a chance that you could be hit in the mouth. We have mouth guards available in our office that work well with braces for no additional charge.
Q: Is orthodontic treatment only to improve your smile?
A: Orthodontics will not only improve the smile but will improve the alignment and fit of the teeth. Crooked teeth can lead to cavities or gum disease and a bad bite can lead to chewing problems, possible muscle soreness, and jaw joint discomfort.
Q: Can a retainer correct the alignment of my teeth?
A: Retainers are designed primarily to "retain" teeth in the position they have been moved to following orthodontic treatment. It is possible to produce some slight movement of teeth with a retainer. When braces are removed all patients receive a retainer to hold their teeth in position. The teeth tend to shift back towards their original position if retainers are not worn.
Q: How long do I wear my retainers?
A: Throughout life your teeth are always moving, even if you have never worn braces. It happens more in some people than others. For this reason, we recommend wearing retainers as long as you can. Usually, we recommend patients wear retainers full time for at least 12 months and then on a night time basis.
Q: Can I be assured that all instruments are sterilized and that there is adequate infection control?
A: YES! Our offices use one of the most sophisticated instrument sterilization techniques available. Our sterilization procedures comply with the standards developed by the Centers for Disease Control, the American Dental Association, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The effectiveness of our sterilization protocol is independently monitored on a regular basis. We want you to rest assured that your health is our foremost concern.
Q: How long do I have to wear braces?
A: Many factors determine the length of treatment, such as a bite problem, response to treatment, and cooperation from the patient. You may be surprised to hear that age is not a major factor. Although, some minor tooth movement can be resolved in a year, most cases require 18-24 months for treatment completion.
Q: What is Phase I treatment?
A: Interceptive or early treatment is initiated at 7-9 years of age for severe bite problems. Some problems must be treated at a younger age to produce the best orthodontic result. If a severe problem is delayed to a later age, a complete correction may not be possible. Early orthodontic treatment can sometimes avoid extraction of permanent teeth and can produce a more stable result. Phase I treatment is typically active for 12-18 months and is followed by holding appliances for several years until all permanent teeth erupt. Most patients require Phase II treatment (full braces) at approximately age 12 to complete treatment and fully correct the bite.
Q: What is Phase II Orthodontic treatment?
A: Sixteen new permanent teeth will have erupted between the ages of 10 to 12 years old. At approximately age 12, Dr. Jorgensen will recommend complete diagnostic records to determine the extent, method, and cost of Phase II or comprehensive treatment. The extent of this treatment can range from retainers up to full braces for one to two years to finish correction of the bite problem and alignment of all permanent teeth.
Q: What is Surgical Orthodontics (Orthognathic surgery)?
A: Surgical orthodontics is recommended for adult patients and some teenagers with severe skeletal deformities. Sometimes the jaw position is so far off from normal that conventional orthodontic care cannot correct the skeletal deformity. Surgical orthodontics is done in combination with comprehensive orthodontic care. Surgery of the jaw structure usually occurs during the middle of orthodontic treatment approximately one year after the braces are placed. The surgery will be performed by an oral surgeon who works closely with Dr. Jorgensen to achieve optimal results.