Q: What are the advantages of starting treatment at an early age?
A: Early treatment allows us to deal with the cause, not the result, of a patient's orthodonticproblem. We
focus on improving the skeletal structure of the face in order to straighten and align the teeth. Early care
will improve a patient's appearance and protect current and future teeth from possible damage. We avoid
potentially irreversible problems, remove interferences with normal growth and development, and
encourage a more favorable growth pattern during the early years of facial skeletal change.


Q: Will any of my (baby) teeth need to be removed?
A: The removal of (baby) teeth sometimes provides room for permanent teeth to erupt in their appropriate
positions. If (baby) teeth are overretained (in place longer than necessary), we may elect to remove them.


Q: Can I play sports while I have braces?
A: We recommend that patients wear a protective mouthguard when playing contact sports - whether
they have braces or not. We make customized mouthguards to protect a patient's teeth and appliance


Q: What are the repercussions of poor brushing during treatment?
A: If plaque or food is allowed to settle in and around brackets, decay and decalcification marks (white spots on teeth) can result. Teeth may then need to be repaired or bleached. Similarly, gums can become puffy or discolored if attention is not paid to brushing along the gum line.

Q: Will my braces interfere with playing a musical instrument?
A: Playing wind or brass instruments, like the flute or trumpet, will require some adaptation to
braces. However, with practice and a period of adjustment, braces will not interfere with the playing
of musical instruments.

Q: Will my teeth move after my braces are removed?
A: Once growth and development has stopped (ages 16 & 17 for women and 20 & 21 for men), some
maintenance may be required to preserve the effects of orthodontic treatment. Our goal is to help patients
get to a point where they can make an informed decision about how they will maintain their results.

Q: Do I need my wisdom teeth removed before or after my orthodontic treatment?
A: An oral exam will help us determine if a patient's wisdom teeth need to be removed prior to treatment.
We also recommend that a patient make a decision about his or her wisdom teeth before the age of 19.

Q: How long will I need to wear braces?
A: There are many factors that play a role in how long a patient may need to wear braces. We are only
able to estimate how long treatment might last.

Q: How often will my braces need to be tightened?
A: When we "tighten braces," we're actually changing the elastics that go around the brackets, and
adjusting or replacing wires. Appointments are usually every six weeks, but this could vary.