401 16th Street, SE
Rochester, MN 55904

P. 507.288.4427
F. 507.288.8497

FAQ

  • 1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?

    No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

  • 2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?

    The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

  • 3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?

    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.

  • 4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?

    If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment simply call our office, send us an e-mail or fill out our appointment request form online. (Only include the "appointment request form online" if that is something we will have on our website). We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.

  • 5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?

    Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We will take the necessary photographs and x-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough exam.

  • 6. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?

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

  • 7. 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. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 22 months.

  • 8. 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 we have examined you. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.

  • 9. How often will I have appointments?

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

  • 10. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?

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

  • 11. How long do appointments take?

    Your very first visit, which is called the initial exam will take approximately 30-45 minutes, the consultation appointment will take 30 minutes. When the appropriate treatment is determined the appointments needed and time will be discussed during the consultation appointment.

  • 12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?

    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 scheduling coordinator or an assistant before dropping off their child.

  • 13. Do braces hurt?

    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. 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!"

  • 14. Can I return to school or work the day I receive my braces?

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

  • 15. Can I still play sports or musical instruments?

    Yes. It is recommended that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouth guard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouth guards are inexpensive and comfortable. After braces are placed there may be an initial period of adjustment to playing a musical instrument.

  • 16. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?

    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.

  • 17. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have 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.

  • 18. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?

    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.

  • 19. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?

    If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will schedule a time that works for you and us.

  • 20. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has 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.

  • 21. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?

    Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, and underbites or harmful oral habits.

  • 22. What is Phase Two Treatment?

    Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

  • 23. 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 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 of future treatment recommendations.

  • 24. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?

    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. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!

  • 25. 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.

  • 26. How long do I need to wear the retainer?

    We advise patients to wear their retainers as long as they want to keep their teeth straight. The teeth continue to want to move as we age. How often you wear the retainer per week will be decided by your doctor on an independent basis.

  • 27. When and why do I need to have 3rd molars (wisdom) teeth removed?

    Third molars usually erupt between 16-20 years of age. However, it may be best to have the 3rd molars extracted before they erupt to prevent potential problems in the future. The orthodontist will monitor the 3rd molars to make sure they are not impacted.

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