FAQ
Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear on tooth surfaces, difficulty chewing and/or speaking, and excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue. Gum disease (periodontitis) has been associated with increased risk of developing heart disease and teeth that are out of alignment can cause dental problems later in life.
We can’t give you an exact answer to either of these questions because each patient receives a customized treatment plan because every smile is unique. This is why we offer a free consultation to you. We want you to make the best choice for you and your circumstances. We work with insurance companies and offer payment plans to meet your family’s budget. On average, active treatment lasts one to three years. If your child is not yet ready for active treatment, they get to join our Kidz Klub. Every six months, Dr. Just will want to see how your child’s mouth has grown and changed–at no cost to you.
Yes! Each orthodontist may have a different treatment plan planned. We want you to find the best orthodontist that you feel confident and comfortable with. If you are looking for your child, they should also feel comfortable, and importantly, safe with the orthodontist you choose. On average, we are able to achieve beautiful smiles in less time with less invasive procedures.
Yes. Dr. Just believes every person deserves a great smile and we want every person’s experience to be positive. Contact us to see how we can best help you.
Not always. Research suggests that wisdom teeth don’t always cause teeth to shift. In most cases, wisdom teeth are removed for general dental reasons rather than for orthodontic health. Your family dentist or Dr. Just can help determine whether your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
Dr. Just believes every person deserves a great smile. We will work with the most complicated of issues because we are willing to put the work in. We know how transformative it can be to have a smile you are happy to show off. It’s not just physical appearance either. Good smiles improve self confidence when you like how you look. Straightened teeth are easier to clean and improve overall health.
General
Kids / Teens / Adults
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child should get an orthodontic checkup by age seven (7). Dr. Just may be able to identify potential issues to be treated in the future, but some more serious problems benefit from early treatment while your child’s face and jaws are still growing.
Yes! Orthodontic treatment can be successful at almost any age. In fact, about one in every four orthodontic patients today is over age 18. Braces today are smaller, less visible and more comfortable than ever before. We also offer Invisalign, a clear removable aligner that’s nearly invisible to others.
Yes! Even as adults, our teeth can slowly shift over time. You may benefit from a “tune-up” that can push your teeth back into alignment.
Yes since dentists and orthodontists focus on diferent aspects of your oral health. Keeping your teeth clean and mouth healthy is always important. This also helps avoid any problem that might prolong your treatment.
Just like your dentist says, you should brush twice a day and floss at least once. For best outcomes, you should brush after eating a meal or snack. Keep a travel toothbrush with you for when you aren’t home.
Everything your dentist tells you to maintain good oral health still applies when you have braces. Brushing and flossing with braces means you need to take extra time and care.
Food can get stuck in your braces, so you want to make sure to brush on all sides of the braces. An interproximal brush can help remove plaque and food particles near brackets.
Flossing with braces is a little bit more difficult, but it’s important to do so. We recommend using a floss threader to help get the floss under the wire.
Taking care of your teeth while you have braces on is very important! If you don’t, you could end up with permanent spots or marks on your teeth because your teeth are a different color from when your braces were first put on.
Brushing is a great time to inspect your braces for loose or broken brackets. If you find a problem, you should contact us and we’ll discuss if you need to schedule an appointment.
The best time to care for your aligners is twice a day when brushing your teeth. Remove your aligners before brushing and flossing your teeth. Use warm water to clean the inside and outside of the aligners. You wouldn’t want to put dirty aligners back on clean teeth!
While none of these tools are required, they do help with keeping your teeth clean.
A toothbrush that is in good condition – Braces wear out a toothbrush’s bristles quickly. When you see signs of wear, replace your toothbrush.
Interproximal brush – This small brush will help you remove plaque and food particles from underneath your archwire.
Floss threader – Getting the floss through your braces can be difficult. Using a floss threader makes it easy to slip the floss underneath the wires.
Prescription fluoride toothpaste or fluoride rinse – Dr. Just may prescribe a special toothpaste to use once a day.
Electric toothbrush or Waterpik – Compared to a regular toothbrush, an electric toothbrush does much better to clean your teeth, especially in hard-to-reach places.
Braces / Invisalign
There is some initial discomfort that accompanies braces when they are installed or adjusted. After all, braces are moving your teeth. The pain is typically very manageable with over-the-counter pain medicine. You could also use a topical anesthetic like Orabase or Ora-Gel to soothe sores with a cotton swab. Braces wax can help counteract sores and discomfort on your cheeks, lips, or tongue–iritation from braces.
Sometimes, your braces could have a problem, especially if you’re eating foods you shouldn’t while you have braces on. You should contact us to see whether or not you need to come in to repair your braces.
Here are some things that could happen:
Ligatures, the bands or fine wires on brackets, can sometimes come off. If possible, try to put it back in place. If it’s loose, remove it. Use a tool like sterile tweezers if needed.
Brackets can come loose or get knocked off for a variety of reasons. We tell you to not eat certain foods for this reason. It could be being struck during sports or play, which is why we recommend mouth guards. The adhesive that sticks the bracket to your teeth could fail.
You need to take care with braces or other appliances if they are loose. It’s rare, but possible, to swallow something if it comes completely loose. Try to remain calm. If you have difficulty breathing or are coughing excessively, it could have been inhaled. You should call us immediately.
Dr. Just will recommend how long to continue wearing your retainers. While some retainers remain fixed to your teeth, others are removable. Wearing your retainer as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after orthodontic treatment. Our teeth can continue to move as we age and one of the best ways to keep them in alignment is to wear your retainer. Many people wear their removable retainers nightly for the rest of their lives.
