FAQ | Alvetro.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
What will I learn from the initial examination?
Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
How long will it take to complete treatment?
How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
How often will I have appointments?
Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Do braces hurt?
Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Do you give shots?
Do you use recycled braces?
Can I still play sports?
Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
Will my child need an expander?
Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?

1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.
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2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.
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3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.
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4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office and we will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.

5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We will take the necessary photographs and x-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam.
To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.
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6. What will I learn from the initial examination?
There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:

Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
What must be done to correct the problem?
Will any teeth need to be removed?
How long will the treatment take to complete?
How much will the treatment cost?

7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.
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8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. At your initial examination, we will review you or your child's specific needs and inform you of the time frame for your treatment. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 18-24 months.
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9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. If you or your child are ready to begin orthodontic treatment, we will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have many payment options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.

10. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 6 to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
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11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 6 to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
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12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. We ask that you be available at the end of the appointment to discuss progress.
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13. Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all.
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14. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?

Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
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15. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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16. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
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17. Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports. After beginning treatment, we will provide you with a mouth guard designed to fit around your braces.
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18. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.
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19. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
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20. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least 3 times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. We will give detailed instructions on how to care for your teeth and appliances. We will also provide a toothbrushing kit to help you keep your teeth and appliances clean.
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21. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your mouth or teeth are injured or if something breaks, you should call our office. In many cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will schedule an appointment for you.
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22. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.
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23. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
Early intervention consists of jaw modification when both permanent and baby teeth are present. The first phase is directed more at your child's muscles and jaws than the teeth, although some concerns regarding tooth positioning may be addressed. The goal of this phase is to create the healthiest environment possible for the eruption of the permanent teeth. The first phase of treatment may not prevent the need for a second phase.
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24. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
The period following Phase One treatment is called the "transition period," during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations, if any.
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25. Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
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26. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!
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27. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and/or missing teeth?
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.
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28. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.
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