Questions About Orthodontics

Why Braces?

The benefit of orthodontics for most people is a wonderful smile and better dental health. For many this gives you improved self confidence, better dental function and less wearing down of your teeth as you get older. Orthodontists are dentists that further their education 2 to 3 years in a university setting to specialize in moving teeth and redirecting facial growth.

How do braces work?

Pressures are applied to your teeth with wires, elastic bands and other means. These pressures are applied to brackets that are bonded or glued to your teeth. In our office, almost all braces are applied this painless method. Gone are the days of 2 appointment placement of braces and horror stories of pain when having your braces applied. Today's brackets are smaller, can be clear or have new technology that allows faster straightening with less force and discomfort. For fun, colored rings can be put on braces that can be changed every month. The teeth actually move by cells around the roots dissolving bone on the pressure side and making new bone where the tooth used to be. An analogy would be a hot knife in butter, put pressure on the knife and the butter melts and the knife moves. Later the melted butter hardens and the knife stays in it's new place.

How long will I wear my braces?

The time required varies from case to case, the "average case" is 2 years. Some very difficult cases can be longer and minor cosmetic cases can be much shorter. Some early treatment cases last only 6 to 8 months. With any orthodontic treatment the patient determines how long the treatment lasts by his or her cooperation. Patients who never miss appointments, rarely break their braces and who wear rubber bands and other devices like asked always finish early. On the other hand, patients who do the opposite wear them longer.

What age are orthodontic patients?

The majority of my patients are children and adolescents, but many adults of all ages have orthodontic treatment as well. Sadly, many of the older adults have treatment to salvage what is left of their teeth. Overbites cause severe wearing of lower front teeth, missing teeth allow other teeth to shift. If these adults had treatment at younger age, they would have prevented this damage.
Adults are more likely to use the clear ceramic brackets to lessen how visible they are.

Do braces hurt?

Like mentioned before, putting braces on is usually painless. We never have to have anyone "numbed up" like for a filling at their general dentist. There will be soreness to the teeth for a few days after getting braces and when new forces are applied at future visits. Over the counter pain relievers are all that is needed. The inside of your mouth may get a scratch or two, it may take up to 2 weeks for your tissue to "toughen up", but most of the time you are wearing braces you forget they are there!

How about sports and other activities?

There should be no problems with any sport or musical instrument with your braces. You will need to get a special mouthpiece from us, don't try the ones from the store you dip in warm water and bite into! Musicians will some adjustment time but usually continue with the same instrument.

Do you check and clean my teeth?

No, we want you to continue seeing your family dentist every 6 months like always, this will insure your best dental health.

Care for your braces.

This is the most important paragraph on this page. You must follow the rules we give you to have your treatment turn out successfully. The big 2 are: Not eating hard or sticky foods and candy. Braces are very fragile and break easily, broken braces allow your teeth to drift the wrong way. This requires you to make an extra appointment for repairs and the extra weeks of treatment to return your teeth to the "pre breakage state". The other very important item is proper brushing and diet. We will show you how, but you must take the time to properly clean your teeth and gums. Our diets today are full of soft drinks, candy, and other sugar rich foods. Most of the drinks have high levels of acid as well, the combination of a high sugar diet and poor brushing ruins teeth and spoils the result, we have pictures to prove it!

When should orthodontics begin?

That varies from person to person but the American Association of Orthodontists recommends the first check-up at age 7. In my office only about 20% of young children need treatment then. I only do early treatment if it will make the eventual overall outcome better or to prevent damage to the teeth or gums. The first visit is free, including a complimentary panoramic Xray. One reason I limit early treatment is there will almost always be a need for full braces later when all permanent teeth are present. We don't want to use up the patient's one time insurance benefits unless there is a compelling need.

Do I need a referral from my dentist?

No you don't, if you see an obvious problem you are welcome to call the office and make a new patient appointment. There is a link on this web site to download some forms we have you fill out, if you have these you should be seated very quickly. Patients with medical cards should seek the opinion of their dentist because only the most severe cases are covered. Many patients drive long distances only to find out their problems are not severe enough to qualify.

How much do braces cost?

The cost varies with the length of treatment and severity. We have interest free payment plans that run the duration of your treatment and we file your insurance for you. Our fees are very competitive as we almost always win patients who are looking at several offices.

FREE NEW PATIENT CONSULTATIONS

2401 Ring Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

270-765-6502

618 River Ridge Plaza
Brandenburg, KY 42701

270-422-5437