Ask Dr. Dan

  1. Is it neccessary that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
  2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
  3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
  4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
  5. What will happen at the first examination appointment?
  6. What will I learn from the first examination?
  7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
  8. How long does orthodontic treatment take?
  9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
  10. How often will I have appointments? Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
  11. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
  12. Do braces hurt?
  13. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
  14. Do you give shots?
  15. Can I still play sports?
  16. Should I see my general dentist while in braces?
  17. Can I still play a musical instrument while in braces?
  18. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
  19. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
  20. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
  21. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
  22. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?/Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
  23. Will my child need an expander?
  24. Are you ever too old to have braces?
  25. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
  26. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?

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

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.
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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.
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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.
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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
  • fill out our appointment request form online

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.
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5. What will happen at the first 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 X-rays, photographs of the teeth and the face, and models of the teeth. Orthodontic records provide a wealth of information that is not always revealed by a visual examination. This may include missing teeth, extra teeth, the condition and development of tooth roots, growth patterns of the jaws and face, symmetry and a host of other factors. Complete records form the basis for a thorough and accurate diagnosis, which results in a sound treatment plan.

The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam.

To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.
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6. What will I learn from the first examination?

There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:

  • Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
  • What must be done to correct the problem?
  • Will any teeth need to be removed?
  • How long will the treatment take to complete?
  • How much will the treatment cost?


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7. 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.
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8. How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment time obviously varies, depending on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, times range from one to two years. In adults, the extent of the correction needed, as well as the progression of growth, can impact treatment time. The patient's initiative to maintain good oral hygiene and comply with regularly scheduled appointments is significant to keeping treatment time on schedule.
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9. 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.
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10. How often will I have appointments? Can I schedule appointments after school?

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every five to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Unfortunately, Dr. Dan cannot see every student during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled five to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
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11. 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 their patient manager before dropping off their child.
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12. Do braces hurt?

For the most part, braces (placing bands and brackets on your teeth) do not "hurt." After your braces are connected to the archwires, your teeth may be slightly sore for a few days. It may take one to two weeks for your lips and cheeks to get accustomed to the braces. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort.
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13. 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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14. Do you give shots?

No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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15. Can I still play sports?

Yes. We recommend that patients wear a mouth guard for all sports to protect their smiles. Mouthguards are available in an assortment of colors and types, and are comfortable and inexpensive.
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16. Should I see my general dentist while in braces?

Yes! Dr. Dan recommends you see your general dentists for regular checkups and cleanings with every six months, while in braces.
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17. Can I still play a musical instrument while in braces?

Absolutely. While you may have to go through an adjustment period, our office can give you a brace cover to prevent soreness.
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18. 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.
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19. 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 his or her teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.
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20. 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 at (210) 826-3201. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.
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21. 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.
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22. What is Phase One (early) treatment?/ Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?

Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment lasts about 12-21 months. On some occasions, preventive or interceptive care can guide the jaws and erupting teeth into more favorable positions, improve the growth and alignment of the jaws, and address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe.

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.
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23. Will my child need an expander?

At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
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24. Are you ever too old to have braces?

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!
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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.
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26. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?

Teeth, and sometimes-entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have completed a two-year residency program that focuses on preventing and correcting improper tooth and jaw relationships, as well as the abnormalities caused by these conditions.
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