- Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
- At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
- Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
- How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
- What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
- What will I learn from the initial examination?
- Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
- How long will it take to complete treatment?
- How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
- How often will I have appointments?
- Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
- Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
- Do braces hurt?
- Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
- Do you give shots?
- Do you use recycled braces?
- Can I still play sports?
- Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
- Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
- How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
- What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
- Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
- What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
- Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
- Will my child need an expander?
- Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
- Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
- Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
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, yet others 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 crooked 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 at 706.353.3500, send an e-mail to info@waorthodontics.com, or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be glad to schedule a complimentary consulation 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 initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, the patient (and parent) is seen by the doctor and team who will introduce you to our office and prepare you for the initial exam. We take the necessary photographs and x-rays that allow us to make a proper diagnosis. The doctor then completes a 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 initial 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; we consider it a last resort.
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8. 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 18 to 20 months. Optimal efficiency also depends on keeping appointments, using elastics, and participating in care as the doctor and team direct.
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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 cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs and review these with you. We 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?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every six to ten weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we schedule appointments accordingly.
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11. 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 as much as 8 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.
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12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes... We understand your busy schedule and are happy to help you make the most of your time. Your kids will enjoy their visit in the brand new Exchange office, with an ultra-hip kids’ big screen theater, brand-new video gaming, and a teens’ music suite full of iPods, Apple music stations, and Apple TV music videos playing in HD on a 52” plasma screen in surround sound! On some occasions we may request to speak with a parent on their return, so we ask that parents check in with their patient manager before dropping off their child.
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13. Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits teeth may be slightly sore for a few days. In these situations pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol ease the discomfort. However, after most visits patients usually do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, "It does not have to hurt to work!"
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14. 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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15. Do you give shots?
No... Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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16. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not!!! It is our belief and policy that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
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17. Can I still play sports?
Yes... Naturally, we strongly recommend a mouth guard for all sports. We will be more than happy to provide one that will fit over your braces upon request.
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18. 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.
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19. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins we explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of these 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. Oh, and when the braces come off we will give you a bag of popcorn, candy, and all kinds of goodies to help celebrate and make up for what you missed out on!
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20. 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. Our Hygiene Class and on-board Registered Dental Hygienist help ensure the patient knows what to do and when.
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21. 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 immediately at 706.353.3500. In most cases we can address these issues over the telephone. However, if you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you in our dedicated “Care Center” where we manage most pressing needs the same weekday you call; we are the only Athens-area orthodontic office with such a service.
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22. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to actually require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment we follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.
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23. What is Phase One (early) treatment?
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated for children between the ages of 7 and 10. It lasts about 12-21 months. The primary objective for Phase One care is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.
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24. 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 carefully monitored -- usually every 6 months. Throughout this period parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.
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25. Will my child need an expander?
Probably not... At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander. However, with the new state-of-the-art passive self-ligation braces, are almost never necessary.
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26. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
Surprisingly, a significant percentage of our patients are adults: one-third, in fact! Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces! We even have a dedicated quiet "adult" reception area.
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27. 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 aids in the alignment of the remaining teeth.
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28. Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are irreversibly changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists are experts who have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide patients with professional, personalized treatments. After all, you only do it once, so do it right!
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