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FAQ's
Is it required that I be referred by my family dentist to schedule an
appointment?
No, it
is not. Most of our patients are referred by their family dentist,
however many patients are concerned about their health and appearance,
and take the initiative to schedule themselves for an examination to
have their need for orthodontic care evaluated. back
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At
what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
The
American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic
screening at age seven. By this age, the six-year molars and several
permanent teeth in most children have erupted allowing the doctors to
effectively evaluate most developing orthodontic problems. back
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Will my child's teeth straighten out on their own as they grow?
No,
they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase
as a child grows. In most people, after the permanent 6-year molars
erupt, the space available for the front teeth actually decreases with
age. back to top
How do I schedule an appointment for an initial
exam?
If you
think you or your child would benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply
call our office and we will be happy to schedule an appointment for you.
When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will
request some very basic information concerning you and your child. back
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What
will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon
arriving each patient and parent will be seen and will be acclimated to
our clinic and prepare for the initial exam. Necessary photographs and
impressions for moulds will be taken and radiographs (x-rays) will be
requested to allow the orthodontist to make a proper diagnosis.
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A brief but thorough
exam will then be completed by the orthodontist. Building a comfortable
and trusting relationship with the orthodontist and staff is a
significant goal of our initial exam.
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What
will I learn from the initial examination?
There
are five important questions that will be answered during the initial
examination:
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Is there an orthodontic problem and
if so, what is it?
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What must be done to correct the
problem?
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Will any teeth need to be removed?
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How long will the treatment take to
complete?
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How much will the treatment cost?
In addition to these, Dr. Shaikh will
take the time to answer any other questions a patient or parent may
have. back to top
Will I have
to have any teeth removed for braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes needed to get the best orthodontic result.
Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are always the goal.
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How long will it
take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic
problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. An
"average" time a person is in braces is approximately 22 months.
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How much will braces cost? Are financing
options available? How does my insurance work?
It is
impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until the doctor has
actually examined you or your child. The exact cost and financial
options will be discussed at the initial examination. We have many
financing options available to meet most needs and we will be happy to
review them with you. We also offer a discount for fees paid in full at
the beginning of treatment. Proper orthodontic treatment to correct a
problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to
treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years.
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How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each individual patient's needs.
Most patients in braces will be seen every 4 to 8 weeks. If there are
specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, appointments
will be scheduled accordingly. back to top
Can I have all of my appointments after school?
We
reference all area school calendars, and try very hard to meet the
scheduling needs of our patients.
Fortunately, we most
of our appointments for student patients are scheduled after school
hours. Additionally, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 8
weeks apart, very little time is compromised due to their orthodontic
treatments.
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Can I drop my
child off for an appointment?
We are
very understanding of busy schedules and working parents' desires to run
errands while their child is at our office. On some occasions the doctor
may want to speak with parents when they return, so we request that
parents check in with the staff before dropping off their child.
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Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After some visits, teeth may be sore
for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Panado or
Tylenol can be used to ease the discomfort. However, after most visits,
patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients,
it does not have to hurt to work!
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Can I
return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes.
There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
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Do you give injections?
No. No
injections are necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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Can I still
play sports?
Yes. We
can recommend a mouth guard for all sports. Custom made mouth guards are
available upon request. back to top
Do I 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 determine how often you should be seen
for cleaning appointments while you are in braces.
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Are there
foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes.
Once treatment begins, very complete instructions and a comprehensive
list will be provided regarding foods to avoid. Some of those foods
include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e.
caramel and toffee). Many emergency appointments to repair broken or
damaged braces can be avoided by carefully following instructions
regarding what foods to avoid.
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How often
should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day: after
breakfast, lunch (or as soon as they get home from school), supper, and
before going to bed. Your dental hygienist will show you how to floss
your teeth with braces on, and will also advise you to use topical
fluoride to help protect teeth.
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What
is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If something
happens and your braces are causing pain or if something is broken, you
should call our office. In most cases we can address these issues over
the telephone. If an emergency appointment is needed, daily time is
available for timely attention.
Can
orthodontic correction occur while a child still has some baby teeth?
Yes.
Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early
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. back to top
What is Phase One (early)
Treatment?
Phase
One treatment, when needed, is usually initiated on children between the
ages of seven and 10. Phase One treatment usually takes about 12 months.
There are several primary objectives for
Phase One treatment.
-
To address significant problems early
to prevent them from becoming severe corrections later.
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To develop jaws for crowding concerns and
modify jaw growth for an improved jaw relationship.
-
Finally, to improve self-esteem and
self-image, both very important during their formative years.
Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
It
is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after
Phase One treatment. The period of time following Phase One
treatment is called the "resting period," during which growth and
tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period,
parents and patients will be kept informed as to any future
treatment recommendations.
Will my child need an expander?
At
the completion of the initial examination, the doctor will determine
whether a patient will need an expander or not.
Is
it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A
surprising percentage of our patients are adults. Health, happiness
and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too
old" to wear braces!
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Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
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 so that the space where the
teeth are missing can be properly restored.
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Why
should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth and sometimes entire facial structures are permanently changed
by orthodontic treatment. It is very important that the treatment be
appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists, like
Dr. Shaikh, have extensive and specialized training that enables
them to provide all types of orthodontic patients with professional
and state of the art treatments. back to top
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