.: What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. After dental school, Drs. Daniels and Theisen both completed two years of academic specialty education in an American Dental Association accredited university program as required to be an orthodontist. All orthodontists are dentists, but only about six percent of dentists are orthodontists.

.: How much does the initial consultation cost?
As a courtesy, there is no charge for the initial consultation. At this appointment a brief medical and dental history form will be completed. The doctor will examine your teeth and if there is an orthodontic problem he will explain the treatment recommendations and give an estimation of the treatment time and fee.

.: Do I need to be referred by my general dentist?
If you think you have an orthodontic problem, you may contact us directly. However, we require patients have a recent dental cleaning and examination by their general dentist prior to commencing with orthodontic treatment.

.: What is the recommended age for a child's first visit?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child first visit an orthodontist at age seven. An early examination allows us to offer advice and guidance as to the most appropriate time to begin treatment. If treatment is not recommended, the information gathered at this appointment provides a valuable baseline to allow us to better treat your child in the future.

.: Can I have my child treated early so they will not need to wear braces in middle or high school?
One popular misconception is that the young children you see wearing braces are completing their treatment early. In fact, virtually all of them are in "Phase I" of a two-phase or multi-phase treatment program. Nearly all will have another set of braces during adolescence when the remainder of their adult teeth finally erupt. This means more time and expense for treatment. Research studies have shown that only about 10% of children benefit from this extended treatment. We are very selective in our recommendations for early treatment and do so only if there will be genuine benefits to our patients.

.: Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. The biological process involved in the movement of teeth is the same in both adults and children. Twenty to twenty-five percent of today's orthodontic patients are adults.

.: Do you have clear braces?
Today's technology has considerably reduced the size of metal braces but even less noticeable are braces made of ceramic or plastic. Clear braces still provide a high quality result but may slightly increase treatment time. We also use retainers and clear aligners for more minor corrections.


.: Can I have colors on my braces?
The colors you see on braces are small elastic ties used to attach the arch wire to the brackets. These colors are changed at each adjustment so you can change your colors throughout treatment. We have numerous colors from which to choose and some that glow in the dark. If you prefer to be more discreet you can choose ties to blend with the braces.

.: Do braces hurt?
Placing and removing the braces generally does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and the arch wires are connected you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to five days, depending on the individual patient. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.

.: How long does orthodontic treatment take?
The length of treatment varies from three months to three years depending on the severity and complexity of your case. Before you begin the doctor will let you know the length of your treatment. Good patient compliance, maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments are important to keep you on schedule.

.: Do I need to wear retainers after my orthodontic treatment?
Retainers are an important part of your orthodontic program. A retainer is a removable or fixed/permanent appliance that is fitted to your teeth following removal of your braces. The retainers will hold your teeth in their newly corrected positions. Although each patient is different, you will generally wear an upper removable retainer full time for six to 12 months followed by one year of night time wear. The retainer can then be worn as needed to maintain the alignment of your teeth. Fixed/permanent retainers are usually used in the lower arch and can be worn indefinitely.