Frequently Asked Questions

What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a division of dentistry focused on preventing and correcting dental and facial irregularities. 

What are the benefits of treatment?
Each individual patient will find different benefits from their treatment.  You can gain a more attractive smile, reduce the risk of injury to irregular teeth, and improve force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth.  Treatment can also improve your ability and the effectiveness of brushing your teeth; this will lead to the long term health of your teeth and gums.     

How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis.  The treatment time depends on many factors, such as the rate of growth and the type of correction that is necessary. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance.  It is important to maintain good dental hygiene at home as well as seeing your orthodontist and general dentist on a regular basis.  The American Association of Orthodontics lists the average treatment time as between 14 months to 30 months.    

How much will it cost?
The cost will vary depending on the type of treatment a patient received.  If you schedule a free consultation our treatment coordinator can go over the costs with you and let you know about your financing options. 

How does orthodontic treatment work?
Braces use steady, gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The pressure is applied by the brackets attached to your teeth and the archwire which connects the brackets.  The archwire tries to return to its original shape and applies pressure to move your teeth to a more desirable position. 

Do braces hurt?
Every person will have a different experience.  The bands and brackets placed onto your teeth do not hurt. It is when the archwire is added connecting each of your brackets that you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to three days. Your lips and cheeks may feel some discomfort for about one to two weeks while they adjust to the addition of the braces. The braces used today are much smaller and more comfortable, using technology that reduces discomfort.

Can we skip the braces and just use a retainer?
Retainers are used to maintain the current position of teeth, very rarely are they used to move teeth into a more desirable position.  It will require an orthodontic visit to actually determine if you need braces and there are different options on the market to help teeth move into proper alignment.  Please see the “types of braces” tab to see the options that Dr. DeSantos provides.      

 I had braces before, now my teeth have moved, do I need braces again?
It is not uncommon, for an individual who has had braces in the past, to have them applied again to correct any movement that has occurred.  You will need to see an Orthodontist to see if the movement does require braces or if there is another treatment option available.   

What are the most commonly treated orthodontic problems?
Most orthodontic cases stem from a problem that was inherited, but some are acquired. A few of the inherited problems include (but are not limited to) extra or missing teeth, too much space between teeth, and crowding of teeth. 
An acquired problem can be caused by an accident or some other trauma, thumb or pacifier sucking, premature loss of baby or permanent teeth, dental disease or airway obstruction by tonsils and adenoids.

Will I still be able to play sports?
Yes!  We do recommend you wear a mouth guard, regardless of whether you have braces or not. 

What foods should I avoid when wearing braces?
You should try to stay away from foods that are hard or crunchy and ones that might be sticky or chewy.  You can find a great list of foods to avoid on our website.