Orthodontic
FAQ

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) suggests that children receive their first orthodontic exam around the age of 7. With an early orthodontic exam, our orthodontists can assess your child’s teeth and bite alignment to identify any problematic orthodontic conditions that are currently present or are soon to erupt.

Intervening with problematic orthodontic conditions before they worsen is ideal for minimizing the need for treatment in the future and treating any challenging symptoms (such as difficulty chewing, breathing or sleeping) before they pose a greater problem.

If we determine that your child isn’t in need of orthodontic treatment or won’t benefit from treatment, we won’t suggest that they begin treatment. We only want what’s best for your child’s smile. If that means waiting until he or she matures to begin treatment or beginning treatment over a number of appointments, then we’re happy to do that.

We don’t expect one treatment option to suit everyone’s lifestyle. That’s not realistic. We know that adults, teens and children usually don’t have the same needs and preferences. That’s why we provide more than just traditional braces.

You can choose from traditional metal braces, advanced self-ligating braces, Invisalign® clear aligners and other types of clear aligners. Invisalign and clear braces cost a reasonable amount with us!

No, braces don’t hurt. When we place your braces on, we are simply bonding brackets to your teeth, and attaching your archwires to your brackets. This won’t cause you any pain.

The first week you have braces, you may experience some minor soreness. This is because your teeth and gums aren’t used to the support of your braces yet. You can take some Tylenol® or another over-the-counter pain reliever to counteract the soreness.

Throughout your treatment, you’ll visit our office every 8 to 10 weeks (depending on your custom treatment plan) so we can monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

During these appointments, we may adjust your archwires, replace the elastics around your brackets, or reposition a bracket. It’s normal to experience some minor soreness after your adjustment appointments, but this should go away within a few days. Tylenol will help after these appointments too.

Yes, your braces won’t stop you while playing sports. But, no matter which type of braces you choose, it’s important that you wear a mouthguard while playing sports. A mouthguard will protect your cheeks, gums, teeth and other players from damage.

Invisalign® may be better suited for you if you’re a sports player, but you can still play sports no matter which type of braces you choose.

We’ll discuss Invisalign and braces prices at your very first visit to our office. We’ll answer all of your questions, including “How much does braces cost?” and “how much does Invisalign cost?”

The cost of braces and the cost of Invisalign will depend on a few things, including the severity of your current condition, whether you have orthodontic insurance, and the specific payment plan you choose.

To make your treatment costs as affordable as possible, we accept a wide range of insurance plans and offer a number of affordable payment plans. At your initial consultation, you tell us your needs and we’ll work with you to develop a financial plan that makes you and your wallet happy.

We don’t have to know your age to know that your answer is no. You’re never too old to better your smile and your life. Orthodontic treatment is ideal for people of all ages. If you want to achieve a smile you’ve always dreamed about, or you’re ready to
improve your quality of life and treat your unpleasant orthodontic symptoms, you’re the perfect age for treatment.

Yes, absolutely. Dental cleanings are still as important as ever. We want to ensure that your teeth and gums are clean, healthy and strong throughout your treatment. You should still visit your dentist every 6 months, or as often as he or she advises.

The best way to know whether you need treatment or would benefit from treatment is by visiting Dr. Saxe for your complimentary consultation. During your visit, your orthodontist will get to know you and your smile. We’ll examine your teeth and bite and discuss any symptoms you may be experiencing. This will enable us to determine whether you’re in need of treatment.

In the meantime, you can look out for some signs and symptoms associated with your ortho condition. If you recognize any of the following signs or symptoms, this is a good indication that you should meet us.

• Your teeth are crowded or overlapping
• You have difficulty breathing, or you breathe through your mouth often
• You have difficulty sleeping, or you wake up feeling unrested often
• You feel pain when opening or closing your mouth
• Your jaw pops or clicks when opening your mouth
• Your top teeth overlap your bottom teeth
• Your bottom teeth overlap your top teeth
• You experience persistent soreness in your teeth or gums
• Your teeth don’t meet evenly
• You bite your cheeks or tongue often (ouch)

(You can also take a look at these common orthodontic problems to see if any of them look familiar.)

At your complimentary orthodontic exam, we want to get to know you. We’ll familiarize you with our office, chat about your favorite hobbies, and maybe share pictures of our pets. Then we’ll perform X-rays, take some diagnostic photos, discuss your symptoms and any concerns you have about your smile, and help you determine the best treatment route for you (if necessary).

If you want to know more about what you can expect at your first visit, we have a whole page dedicated to it. Check it out!

Yes you can. In fact, orthodontic treatment can be incredibly beneficial for people who have missing teeth. When teeth are missing, other teeth start to drift into the open spaces, which can lead to a number of problems. For children whose baby teeth are falling out, beginning Phase 1 treatment can help to create a healthy foundation for a beautiful set of permanent teeth to emerge.

We’ll help you determine whether orthodontic treatment is your best option at your complimentary consultation with us.

We’re here for them! We want to answer all of your questions, whether you have them before starting treatment, during treatment or after. If your question isn’t listed on this page or on our life with braces page, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

If you’d prefer to have your questions answered during your complimentary consultation, you can request your appointment today.
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