FAQ

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule a complimentary examination themselves.

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.

• Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.
• While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.
• The check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine. Or, the orthodontist may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring the child’s growth and development, and then if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for the child. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
• Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
• In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
• Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to:
  • guide jaw growth
  • lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
  • correct harmful oral habits
  • improve appearance
  • guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
  • improve the way lips meet

Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving your child the best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile.

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.

If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail or fill out our appointment request form online. 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.

Upon arriving, each patient will be asked for the new patient forms and insurance card.
The doctor will then complete a thorough clinical exam. Additional information, such as X-rays or photographs, may be needed for proper diagnosis.

To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.

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 approximate cost be?

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.

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 22 months. To finish your treatment on schedule, we ask for your cooperation in wearing elastics or other accessories to accelerate treatment goals, coming to all your scheduled visits, and trying to avoid breaking braces due to careless eating or habits.

It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have several financing 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.

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 4 to 8 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 8 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return, so we ask that parents check in with their patient manager before dropping off their child.

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! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”

Yes. There is no reason you cannot return to school the same day.

No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.

Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports, and we provide you with the best at no charge to protect your smile!

Yes! Regular check-ups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in 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). Some good foods can be cut up and chewed on the back teeth. You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

Patients should brush their teeth at least three times each day – after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.

If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks or pokes, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we always have comfort visits reserved within our day.

Luckily, there are very few true orthodontic emergencies!

Call us within 48 hours with either of the following:

• a wire rubbing your cheek
• an appliance that isn’t sitting right or won’t allow you to close properly
• misplaced Invisalign trays or removable retainers

Call us when convenient, but within a week for:

• a loose brace
• a loose button for Invisalign patients
• loose retainer wire
• trouble with elastics

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.

Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment lasts about 6-18 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.

It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the “resting period,” during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.

At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.

A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 35 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. We offer a variety of treatments to suit your needs and lifestyle. Orthodontic treatment not only dramatically improves your personal appearance but your oral hygiene as well. Well aligned teeth make it easier to brush and floss reducing the chances of periodontal disease.

The new techniques and appliances we use are aesthetic, greatly reduce discomfort, decrease the frequency of visits and are highly efficient. Invisalign is a very popular option for adults.

No patient is “too old” to wear braces! Your new smile can begin today!

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.

To have the best and healthiest smile you can have.
Relying on orthodontists’ expertise, which comes from their extensive education and experience with similar cases. After graduating from dental school, orthodontists go on for another two or more years of education just in orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only after this formal education can one be called an orthodontist. Only orthodontists are accepted for membership in the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CCO).

Orthodontists are dedicated to helping your teeth and jaws work in union so that you can speak, bite and chew comfortably and effectively. Teeth and jaws that work well tend to look good, too.

To both feel good and look good.
With care from an orthodontist, you have an expert who has been educated to understand how your teeth, your jaws and your facial muscles all work together. A healthy mouth contributes to your overall good health. Your appearance gets a boost, too.

To get the specialized treatment you deserve.
You trust your heart to a cardiologist, your skin to a dermatologist, your knees to an orthopedist. Like these specialists who study their specialty areas after their general medical education, orthodontists devote additional years of study to orthodontics after they graduate from dental school. And like their medical counterparts, orthodontists limit their practices to their specialty area. Orthodontists have in-depth experience in orthodontic care. They use their knowledge and skills to help you get the best results possible.

To get your bite right.
Your bite is a complex biologic system. Its components include up to 32 teeth, upper and lower jaws, gums and facial muscles. Your healthy bite is the orthodontist’s goal. The goal is met by making sure the separate elements are positioned for optimal performance. You enjoy the ability to bite, chew and speak well.

To solve the problem.
You may see six crooked front teeth. The orthodontist sees the cause of crooked teeth in three dimensions. Orthodontists use their education, experience and expertise to delve deep to discover the root of your orthodontic problem. Armed with a diagnosis that takes all factors into account, orthodontists can plan your solution—one that delivers a healthy, attractive smile and a lasting result.

To recommend the right treatment for you.
There are a lot of treatment options these days, from clear aligners to modern braces. They each have their uses, but only an orthodontist has the specialized knowledge to identify and plan for all the variables in your mouth. Orthodontists take your unique needs and wishes into consideration, too, when recommending the right treatment option for you. Orthodontists have knowledge of the full range of orthodontic appliance “tools.” They know what to use and when to use it because they work with these tools every day.

To address the big picture.
Sure, you want a dazzling smile. Your orthodontist wants that for you, too—and treatment results that last. You deserve the best—a good bite and a healthy, beautiful smile. Consult with Dr. Bozek for your life, your health, your happiness, your smile.