FAQ’S: THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

What’s the difference between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?

A dentist performs preventative care along with a variety of dental services: from pediatric and restorative to cosmetic dentistry. An Orthodontist is a specialist who has two to three years of additional education and an expert in correcting bites and aligning your teeth to achieve healthy and esthetic smiles. Orthodontists diagnose and choose the most appropriate treatment option for you. This includes clear aligners like Invisalign and/or braces. When starting an orthodontic treatment, it’s especially important to make sure it is provided by a qualified specialist Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Board Certification is a high level of achievement that demonstrates a personal commitment to providing lifelong quality patient care.

What’s the best age to see an Orthodontist?

When it comes to improving the appearance and health of your smile, any age is the right age to see an orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist by the age of seven. However, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens – with one out of every four orthodontic patients today being over the age of 21. If you’re an adult interested in straightening your teeth, clear aligners like Invisalign offer a great solution that’s discreet and extremely effective. In adult cases, orthodontics treatment can benefit or even allow other dental treatments necessary such as implants, so comprehensive oral health care is provided together.

Should my child see an orthodontist if they still have their baby teeth?

Yes. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist by the age of seven – and for good reason. Even at a young age, an orthodontist can spot problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. This is important because some orthodontic issues are most easily corrected while the child is still growing. If problems are found and treated early, it could very well eliminate the need for extractions or even surgery down the road.

What is Phase I in orthodontics?

Phase I is the first part of Interceptive Treatment that is aimed at intercepting moderate or severe orthodontic problems early in order to reduce or eliminate them. Early Phase I treatment provides the orthodontist the opportunity to create space for the permanent teeth eruption and correct bite problems by addressing the jaw structure while growth is occurring. Phase I, which usually begins around the age of 7 to 8, helps to reduce the severity of your child’s orthodontic treatment to deliver better long-term results.

What is Phase II in orthodontics?

Phase II begins when most all of a child’s permanent teeth have erupted. In some cases, the orthodontist may feel Phase II is not necessary after successful Phase I treatment. However, when Phase II is recommended, its goal is to move the permanent teeth into their correct positions through the use of fixed braces or removable clear aligners. Phase II helps to complete and finalize the tooth and jaw alignment that was started during Phase I.

I was told I have a malocclusion. What exactly is that?

Malocclusion is the term used in orthodontics to describe teeth that do not fit together properly. From Latin, the term means “bad bite.” Depending on the type of your malocclusion, your orthodontist will recommend one or more treatments, including braces or clear aligners to correct the position of your teeth, extraction of teeth to correct overcrowding, and adjunctive orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery) to correct the jaw discrepancy.

What are the different types of braces?

There are several options of braces offered today for patients of all ages. At Park Smiles NYC, we offer fixed braces for children, teens and adults. The options we offer include metal braces, the traditional braces made of high quality stainless steel that use an arch wire attached to brackets on the teeth to provide even controlled force to move teeth. Metal braces also offer a wide array of colors, making them popular for kids. Sometimes known as “inside braces,” lingual braces are a method of orthodontic treatment where the brackets, wires and elastic bands used to realign your teeth are all mounted on their backside (tongue side). Ceramic braces, also called clear braces, work exactly the same way, but use tooth-colored ceramic brackets instead of metal and matching wires to be almost invisible braces. Clear aligners like Invisalign aren’t technically braces, because they don’t use brackets or wires. Instead, they’re clear (transparent) aligners made of flexible plastic- like material that can be easily removed from your teeth as needed. Clear aligners, which are popular for all ages, are virtually invisible and allow the patient to speak and smile without any problem when undergoing orthodontic treatment.

How long would I need to wear braces or aligners?

There really is no simple answer, because orthodontics is not a one-size-fits-all solution and each patient’s mouth is unique. However, on average, it takes about 18 months to complete the treatment, but there are some patients that require less than 12 months and others who may require up to three years to reach the desired treatment outcome.

Will I need to wear a retainer after braces or aligners treatment?

Yes, in order to ensure you keep your beautiful smile and perfectly aligned teeth, you must wear a retainer. Immediately after having completed your orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to wear it all the time for at least a couple of months in order to prevent any relapse after treatment. After the first couple of months, you’ll need to wear your retainer every night. Not wearing your retainer as recommended risks allowing all the time and money you invested in braces to go to waste and letting your teeth slip back into their previous position.

How much do braces and aligners cost?

Every smile is unique and so is every orthodontic treatment plan, including braces and aligners. At Park Smiles NYC, we want your entire dental experience to be pleasant and stress-free: from your treatment to your pocketbook. We are in-network with many dental insurance plans. For those without dental insurance, our Miles for Smiles Savings Plan provides excellence in recommended, routine preventative care for you and your entire family. And when you’re in need of any other dental treatments over and above preventative care — including orthodontics — We also offer a variety of affordable payment options, including financing through CareCredit. At your initial examination and consultation, we’ll go into details about your specific needs and how we can help make your treatment as affordable as possible.

What is surgically assisted orthodontics ?

For some patients, orthodontic treatment (i.e. braces or clear aligner therapy) alone may not fully correct an entire problem that involves jaw bones. In those cases, there may be a need for surgery in combination with orthodontic treatment to achieve a functional and healthy bite. Orthognathic surgery is corrective jaw surgery performed to correct skeletal problems that affect the ability to bite, chew and speak. At Park Smiles NYC, Dr. Ruben Cohen, our Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, works in conjunction with our orthodontists to design and execute your plan of surgical care.

What is accelerated orthodontics?

Accelerated Orthodontics is an advanced orthodontic treatment technique that involves using accessory devices combined with fixed braces or clear aligners to reduce the total time needed for orthodontic treatment. This adds a great option for those who are looking for a fast, quick fix orthodontic treatment due to set end timeline.

What happens at my first orthodontic appointment?

First of all, you’ll be welcomed by our warm and friendly team. Then we’ll listen to your concerns and needs, followed by an initial exam that will likely involve scans in order to make a proper diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. At Park Smiles NYC, communication is our top priority and we know you’ll be pleased by our empathetic and compassionate approach.

Is it necessary to receive a referral from a dentist to see an Orthodontist?

Not necessarily. While some of our patients are referred to us by their family dentist, many take the initiative to schedule an orthodontics exam or check-up themselves. Also, at Park Smiles NYC, we offer a comprehensive array of dental services for all ages under one roof — including orthodontics — plus general, pediatric, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. We’re also specialists in treatment for TMJ and sleep apnea. So, when you’re a patient of ours, you can enjoy the convenience of all our dental health services under one roof. If you’re in need of orthodontic treatment, or any other dental service, we invite you to contact us to schedule an appointment today.