Orthodontic FAQs

Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose and treat problems with the position, alignment or spacing of the teeth, and related irregularities in the face and the jaw. A number of special treatments, including braces and other oral appliances, are used to correct these problems.

There are two good reasons: aesthetics and function. Having an attractive smile not only changes the way people see you — it enhances your own self-image as well. Orthodontic treatment also allows your teeth to function better and makes it easier to keep them clean, which can improve your overall health.

It has been said that if babies use a pacifier (dummy) for too long, they can develop an incorrect bite. Orthodontic problems can also be caused by injuries to your mouth, or if you suck your thumb when you are older than five or six. Some orthodontists also say that fingernail biting or lip biting can also cause orthodontic problems. Still, most people need braces because of genetics, that is, a mismatch between the sizes of their teeth and their jaws. Quite often, the teeth are too big for the jaws, leading to crowding.

You usually think about your jaw as being solid like a rock, but when you are growing your jaw is really more like clay. If you apply pressure to your jaw, you can get your jaw to stretch. If you pull your jaw apart, your jaw will get wider. If you push your jaw back, your jaw will slowly move back. Your jaw does not actually stretch. Instead, when you pull on your jaw, your jaw grows in the direction you are pulling. Still, the important thing is that when your braces pull on your jaw, the braces change the shape of your jaw. In the same way, if you push on your teeth, your teeth will move around in your mouth. This is how orthodontics works.

The orthodontist pushes your jaw to stretch your mouth so all your teeth fit. The orthodontist then pushes on your teeth so they are all in the proper places. If your top jaw is too small, your orthodontist can install a special gadget called a “palatal expander” to get your jaw to grow wider. If your teeth stick out, your orthodontist can install another gadget called a “facebow” to push your back teeth back. In that way, your orthodontist is able to move around individual teeth and expand your jaw so that all of your teeth fit correctly in your mouth.

You’re never too old to begin orthodontic treatment — but if you start at an earlier age, your problems may be easier to treat. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child who may need orthodontic treatment should come in for a first visit around age 7.

Teeth that are protruding, crowded together or erupting out of position are clear indications that treatment is needed (View Examples). Less obvious signs are mouth breathing, frequent biting of the cheek or palate, speech difficulties, and thumb sucking that goes past 3-4 years of age. If teeth don’t meet properly when the mouth closes, or if jaws make sounds or shift as they move, this may also indicate an orthodontic problem.

Having braces put on is generally painless. Some people experience minor aches and pains in the first couple of days or so, as they adjust to wearing their appliances; periodic adjustments may sometimes cause soreness as well, though it typically lasts only a short time. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to alleviate any discomfort, but are usually unnecessary.

Initially, when the orthodontist places your braces, there may be some sores on your lips. If you rinse the sores in warm salt water, the sores will heal within a week or two. If your lips get too sore during the first week, you can put wax on the braces to prevent the braces from rubbing and irritating the sore.

It’s different for each person, but generally, the active stage of treatment (that is, wearing braces or other appliances) may take from 6-30 months. After that, a retainer is worn for at least several months.

It depends on what’s being done, and how often you need to be monitored. During active treatment, you’ll typically visit the office once every 4 to 10 weeks.

You do — in fact, it’s more important than ever! Keeping teeth free of plaque (and potentially, decay) can be challenging when you’re wearing braces. Your dentist can help you avoid these problems with frequent cleanings and exams.

Depending on the case, one to two hours.

If your teeth are severely crowded (because your mouth is too small to properly accommodate all of them) — or if you have impacted teeth (teeth that are trapped beneath the gum line by other teeth) — then extraction may be necessary. In the case of younger patients, early treatment may make extraction unnecessary.

Yes! You can eat most of the good things that you can eat now. The one big limitation is that your mouth will get sore after you first get braces, so the orthodontist will recommend that you only eat softer foods for the first week. However, after that, you should be able to eat normally.

Yes — you should pass up the types of foods that could damage or become trapped in your braces. Some of these include raw vegetables, hard candy, caramel, taffy and ice cubes (fortunately, ice cream is OK). You will receive a list of foods to avoid. However, Invisalign® does not have any dietary restrictions.

Gum is usually not recommended. The gum can get caught on the braces and pull the braces off. Also, the sugar in the gum can get trapped behind the braces and cause cavities.

Yes. Of course, whether you wear braces or not, we recommend you wear a mouthguard when playing most sports. Musicians are generally able to play their instruments just as they did before, but they may need a short adjustment period after getting braces.

As your orthodontist, we advise against participating in activities where there will be many blows to your mouth. Sports like boxing, karate, and wrestling should be avoided. Fighting should also be avoided. You should wear an orthodontic mouthguard whenever you participate in any sporting activity.

Yes. Standard braces should not affect how you talk or the sound of your voice. You can talk, sing and act just as you do now. Braces will not stop you from having fun. Just do not get punched in the mouth. It hurts! Occasionally the orthodontist needs to put in a gadget that gets in the way of your tongue. If so, you may have trouble talking clearly for a day or two, but then you will be able to talk fine.

Do not worry, it should not hurt to remove your braces. The brackets are easy to remove. They just twist off. Sometimes, removing the bands at the back of your mouth is painful. If so, please tell the orthodontist. He can cut the bands so it does not hurt.

Almost always, the answer is yes: If you don’t wear a retainer, your teeth can rapidly shift out of position — and then all the effort put into your treatment is lost! Your retainer helps you maintain that good-looking smile for a lifetime.

Orthodontic care is a long-term investment in your health and well-being. Yet its cost hasn’t increased as fast as many other consumer prices, and many financing options are available that make orthodontic care affordable. Weighed against the true cost of living with problem teeth, however, orthodontic treatment can be a wise investment indeed.

About 40% of spina bifida patients can develop class I latex allergy. Class I latex allergy is very dangerous. People occasionally die from it. Be sure to inform your orthodontist that you have spina bifida before you start orthodontic treatment and make sure that he uses latex-free products. Also, ask the orthodontist to make your appointment the first appointment of the day so there is no latex dust in the air when you are treated. For further information about latex allergy and Spina Bifida, consult the Spina Bifida Association.