How do I know if braces are really needed?
Patients generally seek orthodontic treatment for three different reasons. 1) They do not like the development, formation or appearance of the teeth. 2) The bite may be incorrect and causing damage to the gums, teeth, or joints. 3) The dentist recommends orthodontic treatment before any other dental work can be started. Only the opinion of an orthodontic specialist will be able to answer the question of whether or not braces are needed.
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Why should I see an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth, and often entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed by an educated, competant professional. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training over and above that of a general dentist, which enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.
 
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How do I choose an orthodontic specialist?
There are many factors you should consider when deciding on an orthodontic specialist. Honesty, integrity, education, experience, ease of communication, up-to-date facilities and office cleanliness are probably the major areas to look at. Since you will be visiting their office at regular intervals throughout treatment for an extended period of time, make sure that you choose an office where you feel comfortable. You should know what is involved with each aspect of your treatment before you start and should feel comfortable asking questions. Dr. Staples truly cares about each and every patient and will make every effort to insure their acceptance and comfort throughout treatment.
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For children, what age should orthodontic treatment start?
According to the American Association of Orthodontics, every child should have an orthodontic evaluation at age seven. At this age, jaw relationships have formed and some permanent teeth have erupted.
Dr. Staples can give you an idea of what to expect in the future and if there are any concerns, he may suggest early treatment. |
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Why are so many young children in braces today?
When needed, Dr. Staples will initiate early, or interceptive, treatment in children who do not yet have all of their permanent teeth. Starting early enables him to take advantage of their growth in order to achieve a better long-term result. Not all children need interceptive treatment and Dr. Staples will suggest waiting, unless a cosmetic improvement is desired by the parents. Some common goals of early treatment include creating enough space for all of the permanent teeth to erupt, and correcting an imbalance in growth between the upper and lower jaws.
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Are we ever too old for braces?
As long as adults have healthy teeth and supporting structures, orthodontic treatment can be done at any age. Although treatment times do increase with age, it is never too late to go straight!
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Is adult treatment any different than with children?
Commonly, adults have more complex problems than children have. Because of this, other dental professional services may be necessary and the overall treatment times are generally longer, due to the mature nature of the jaw structures. At your initial examination, Dr. Staples can explain what may be necessary and he is always happy to meet with any other Doctors that may be on your treatment team.
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If I have crowns and missing teeth, can I wear braces?
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. And missing teeth will not hinder your orthodontic treatment either. Dr. Staples will evaluate your dental condition and offer treatment alternatives if necessary. Today's dentistry is changing at a very fast pace and our treatment options are simply getting better and better.
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Will I need to have any permanent teeth removed when I get braces?
Dr. Staples definitely prefers to treat patients without removing any permanent teeth if at all possible. However, if the teeth are excessively crowded and are protruding, removing teeth may sometimes be unavoidable. Typically, if extractions are needed, most orthodontists choose to extract two upper back teeth (bicuspids) and two lower back teeth (bicuspids) to relieve crowding and enhance the profile.
Fortunately, recent orthodontic advances have given us a new way to deal with extraction cases. Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) are the latest innovation that Dr. Staples uses in order to reduce the need for extractions. Ask us about this new technology.
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Do I need to have jaw surgery?
Jaw surgery is necessary only when we find a very severe bite problem in a patient who is no longer growing. If either jaw is too large, too small, or too narrow, surgery may be necessary. When teeth need to be moved to new positions, they need to have supporting bone underneath them. Sometimes, jaw surgery is the only way to ensure a healthy outcome.
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What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for Temporo-mandibular Joint, which is the name of the jaw joint associated with chewing. Dr. Staples uses various splints and even braces in order to relieve problems associated with the jaw joints. Even though patients have had problems with their TMJ, that should not stop them from seeking orthodontic care.
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What are examples of orthodontic problems?
- Crossbites: Upper teeth that fit inside of the lower teeth.
- Severe Overjet: Upper teeth that protrude horizontally beyond the lower teeth
- Severe Overbites: Upper front teeth that overlap excessively over the lower front teeth
- Under bites: Upper front teeth that fit behind the lower front teeth
- Severe Crowding: Lack of space for permanent teeth to align into their proper position
- Severe Spacing: Teeth spaced so much that they block the position or eruption of other teeth
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How long does orthodontic treatment take?
The length of treatment varies from 3 months to 3 years depending on the complexity of the problem. Our average full treatment case takes about 18 months. Before you start treatment, Dr. Staples will let you know the approximate length of time your treatment should take. Keep in mind that tooth movement varies from individual to individual, so establishing an exact finishing date is very difficult.
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How do we get started?
Call our office we will set you up for an initial examination. Dr. Staples will review your medical history, evaluate the dental problem and explain what treatment may be necessary. Next, we will then assist you with your financial questions. This first visit usually takes about 30 minutes and, most times, orthodontic records can also be done as well.
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What are impressions?
 Impressions of the teeth are taken to enable us to make a model of the teeth, either for diagnosis or to construct an orthodontic appliance. Impressions are taken by filling a well-fitted plastic tray with a pasty substance called alginate, which looks like frosting and is about the consistency of peanut butter. We offer a variety of flavorings for the alginate, so it tastes good. Once the tray is filled, it is then placed in the mouth for about a minute until the alginate starts to set like Jell-O. When the tray is then removed and you look at it, you can see dents or "impressions" of all your teeth. Later, this impression will be filled with Plaster of Paris, and when it hardens, we will have constructed an exact model of your teeth.
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What types of braces are available?
Our practice uses the latest in Mini Silver, Clear Porcelain and Gold braces. And of course we have colors for our braces that can be changed each month. Should you prefer to not have braces at all, we have clear aligners available, like Invisalign. Our office also offers the new self-ligating brackets, like the Damon system.
Braces differ from one another in a lot of ways. How they attach to the teeth varies. Most of them attach on the cheek side of the teeth, while some attach on the tongue side. These are called “lingual” braces. Braces can look really different. Some braces are clear, nearly invisible, while others are made of stainless steel and may or may not have colored elastics around them. All braces are designed to enable the orthodontist to move teeth in three dimensions. The mechanics or techniques used for moving teeth vary as well. Feel free to ask us about Dr. Staples’ approach to orthodontic treatment.
  
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Are braces the only option?
Not always. Clear aligner therapy, like the Invisalign system, is always available for you. This treatment therapy involves a sequence of clear plastic "aligners" which are designed and manufactured by computer aided technology. These aligners are removable, but best of all, they are completely invisible in the mouth.
Another option to move teeth is to use a simple retainer. This type of appliance, however, is only good for minor tooth movement.
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How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to the needs of each patient. Most appointments are scheduled approximately every four to six weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments as needed.
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Does it hurt when you put the braces on or take them off?
It does not hurt to have the braces placed, so don’t worry. We use a method called direct bonding that maximizes patient comfort and minimizes chair time for the procedure. At the end of treatment, we use a special instrument to gently remove the braces and almost all of our patients report no discomfort at all.
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What is the cost of orthodontic treatment?
Our fees are based on the difficulty of your case and the amount of time needed to correct the problem, so each case is different. Due to the established nature of our practice, we are able to keep our fees affordable for you. And, you will find that our orthodontic fee is all inclusive, meaning that most everything we do in our office will require no extra fee.
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Will my dental insurance cover the cost of braces?
We are members of many insurance plans and are happy to work with you in any way to make sure that braces will fit into your budget. Generally, insurance plans will assist with only a portion of the fee. If you would like to call our office with your insurance information, we will be happy to call your company and let you know what your policy covers.
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Can I wear colors on my braces?
Yes. On our traditional braces, you will be able to wear any color you like. However, on self-ligating brackets, we do not use any colors. These colors are actually elastic ties, or o-rings that are used to attach the arch-wire to the brackets and they are usually changed at each visit. We offer a kaleidoscope of colors and allow our patients to select as many different colors as they would like. So, when the Super Bowl comes, or you have a tough soccer match next weekend, you will be able to pick your colors and wear them with pride! And for those of you that require a more discreet look, we do have silver or clear ties.
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Will braces make my teeth hurt?
Generally speaking, some soreness is to be expected. However, many of our patients report very little soreness or nothing at all. After certain visits though, the teeth may be a little sensitive to biting pressure, but that quickly goes away. In these situations, pain medication such as Tylenol will ease any discomfort. Dr. Staples has found that by using the new high tech orthodontic wire systems, patients are more comfortable today than they have ever been.
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Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
Yes, a little, in the beginning, until you adapt. After the initial adjustment period, you will be fine. Dr. Staples recommends that for those patients that have a large overjet (protruding upper front teeth), they should try and stay away from reed instruments such as the clarinet or saxophone. The best choice for these patients is a brass instrument, the oboe, flute or maybe something in the percussion section :)
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If two people with braces kiss each other, could they lock braces?
This question is often asked in a joking manner, but Dr. Staples did see a news report long ago with a picture of two people with braces that were lip-locked. It really should not be a concern though, because the chances are next to impossible for this to happen. Kissing is not something that has to be given up to have a healthy bite and a nice smile.
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What are clear braces? Are they more expensive?
The clear braces Dr. Staples uses are of the highest quality porcelain material. They are just as effective as metal braces, but less visible. To look their best, these brackets need to be cleaned frequently and your diet may need to be adjusted to eliminate staining foods. There is an additional charge for porcelain braces and occasionally treatment with them does take longer.
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What are "lingual" braces?
Lingual braces are braces placed on the inside of the teeth so they are not visible. Dr. Staples feels that lingual braces are not as effective as conventional braces and they are very hard on the tongue. For these reasons, we do not offer them. We do offer clear brackets, which are almost "invisible."
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What are recycled braces?
These are braces that we absolutely do not use. They are re-manufactured braces that have already been worn at least once before. They have been recycled have been altered from their original condition and will not produce the exact results that new ones will provide. Dr. Staples only wants to use the best orthodontic appliances for his patients.
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Is it harder to clean your teeth if you are wearing braces?
Yes. It is normally more difficult to take care of your teeth because the braces are harder to clean around. We are committed to helping you take care of your teeth and will show you exactly how to clean around your braces at the appointment when we bond your braces. With proper technique, cleaning takes only a few minutes several times each day.
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Will I be able to floss my teeth after the braces are put on?
Yes. We will you teach you how to floss your teeth properly while wearing braces. Flossing is absolutely necessary to have clean teeth, and clean teeth make your orthodontic treatment go faster.
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Do I need still need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are very important while in braces. Your family dentist will still need to clean your teeth and watch over your general dental health.
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Aren't people with braces teased a lot?
In this day and age, more people than ever before are wearing braces. Our patients include many adults with professional careers and children of all ages. They are generally very well accepted and don't feel that there is the stigma associated with them as there once was. In many classrooms today, there are as many children with braces as not.
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What is a retainer?
 A retainer is a device that is fitted to your teeth to hold them in their newly corrected position after your braces are removed. Dr. Staples uses three different types, depending on the patient’s needs. One is called an Invisible Retainer, which is made of a clear plastic that covers all of the teeth. Another type is called a Hawley Retainer, which has a plastic inside portion and a wire that goes on the outside of the teeth. The third type is called a Permanent/Cemented Retainer, which is simply a wire that is bonded onto the inside portion of the front teeth.
We generally have our patients wear their retainers full time for 12 months after the braces have been removed, then every night for an additional six to twelve months. After that time, our patients are instructed to wear the retainer 2 or 3 nights a week for as long as they want their teeth to remain as perfect as they were when their braces were removed.
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