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

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends orthodontic screening no later than age seven. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing Drs. Mays or Bruno to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

2. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?

Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by a team member and Drs. Mays or Bruno who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. Drs Mays or Bruno will perform an examination to determine what if any problems exist and for the best time to initiate treatement. Orthodontic records (pictures, X-rays and study models) will be requested if necessary.

3. How long will it take to complete treatment?

Treatment time 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 24 months.

4. 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 will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. 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.

5. How often will I have appointments?

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patient in braces will be seen every four to 8 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monotoring , we will schedule appointments accordingly.

6. Do braces hurt?

Generally, discomfort is minor, not significant enough to keep from everday activities. 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.  After most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all !

7. 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 (example. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

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

Patients should brush their teeth at least three times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss his or her teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.

9. 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 and emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.

10. Is it already too late to have braces if I am 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 !

11. What causes orthodontic problems?

Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding , spacing, prostrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems. Other malocclusions are acquired. In other words, they develop over time. They can be caused by thumb- or finger-sucking, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby (primary) teeth, loss of permanent teeth, accidents, poor nutrition, or some medical problems. Sometimes, an inherited malocclusion is complicated by an acquired problem. But, whatever the casue, an orthodontist is usually able to treat most conditions successfully.

12. Why is treatment so important?

Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. Such problems can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, and possible jaw joint problems. Then there's the emotional side of an unattractive smile. When you're not confident in the way you look, your self-esteem suffers. Children and adults whose malocclusions are left untreated may go through life feeling self-conscious, hiding their smiles with tight lips or a protective hand.