Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need orthodontic treatment?

It’s difficult to know if orthodontic treatment is right for you. Even if your front teeth look straight, many other problems can occur that may impact your jaw or your bite.

Speaking with your general dentist can be a good reference, but speaking with an orthodontist at Angolkar4Smiles is the best option as braces are all we do. Our initial exam is complimentary – come in for a consultation and we’ll be happy to give you feedback on your smile.

What are the signs or symptoms of orthodontic problems?

Determining whether or not orthodontic treatment is necessary can be difficult to assess. The following may help as a useful guide. Orthodontic treatment may be necessary if you can identify any crooked teeth, gaps between teeth or overlapping teeth.

Have your child bite all the way down, but keep their lips open so you can see their teeth. Do the front top teeth line up with the bottom? Do the top teeth protrude out away from the bottom teeth? Do the top front teeth cover more than 50% of the bottom teeth? Are the top teeth behind the bottom teeth? These are indicators that orthodontic treatment may be necessary.

Look at the alignment of the jaw. Does the jaw shift off center while your child is biting down? If you see any misalignment or shifting of the jaw, it suggests a skeletal or jaw bone problem, which requires early orthodontic intervention. These are only some of the obvious symptoms of orthodontic problems.

At what age should an orthodontist see my child? Do all baby teeth have to fall out before initiating orthodontic treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child be evaluated by age seven. It is ok to have baby teeth while receiving orthodontic treatment. In fact, early detection of some orthodontic problems is important in order to take early preventive/interceptive action. Early treatment can also prevent against extractions, which may be required in some cases if the teeth get very crowded. Since our initial consultation is complimentary, it helps to get a consult as soon as possible.

Can you be too old for braces?

No, age is not a factor. As long as the gums and bone which support your teeth are healthy, one can get orthodontic treatment at any age. We treat children and adults of all ages – our oldest patient treated was 72 years old!

Will wearing braces hurt?

Orthodontic treatments have advanced technologically over the last few years. Introduction of new high-tech wires, smaller braces and innovative accessories, coupled with strong physician focus on preventive/interceptive treatments, make today’s orthodontic treatments more comfortable than ever before. We do not use any anesthetic injections for any of the procedures.

Braces can cause a little discomfort initially until one gets used to them. Teeth can get a little sore a day after every adjustment appointment. This annoyance can be relieved easily with over-the-counter pain relievers, if needed. Most of our patients do not need to take any pain relievers.

Can I still have braces if I have missing teeth?

Yes. When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth may drift into the empty space. This can cause functional, aesthetic or periodontal problems. Orthodontic treatment corrects and prevents these problems by providing proper alignment for your dentist to replace the missing teeth.

What is Phase I (Early Interceptive Treatment) and Phase II treatment?

Phase I or Early Interceptive Treatment usually starts while the child has most of their baby teeth with few of their permanent teeth. The goal of Phase I treatment is to intercept moderate or severe orthodontic problems early in order to reduce or eliminate them. These problems include jaw bone problems, cross bites and crowding. Generally we use expanders, removable appliances, Herbst appliances (instead of headgear) and retainers during this phase. This treatment approach takes advantage of active growth to change the jaw bone structure. either to make extra room or to address jaw bone discrepancies. This helps reduce the need for extractions or jaw surgery and delivers better long term results. Most Phase I patients require Phase II treatment at a later date in order to achieve the best smile.

Phase II treatment involves the use of full braces to complete treatment of malocclusion. Treatment typically begins once all permanent teeth are present. Many times there is a gap between Phase I and Phase II treatment. This phase most commonly occurs around the age of 12 or 13 years.

What is Full or Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment?

This is another name for orthodontic treatment in the permanent dentition at any age. It is more commonly used when a Phase I treatment was not performed.

Does everyone need Phase I treatment?

Absolutely not! But in many cases early intervention helps greatly. We will offer Phase I treatment only if it makes a difference for the patient, otherwise we track patient progress through a complimentary recall consultation every six months.

What is the length or duration of orthodontic treatment?

At Angolkar4Smiles, Phase I treatment usually lasts 12-14 months. Phase II or full braces treatment may last from 18 to 36 months. In both cases, we generally see the patients every 6 to 8 weeks for their adjustment appointment.

Orthodontic treatment time and success of treatment depends on multiple factors including age of the patient, severity of the problem, the patient’s cooperation and the speed of natural response of teeth movement.

What are extraction and non-extraction therapy, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Extraction therapy is a technique where some teeth are removed to make room for the other teeth in your child’s mouth. This is in contrast to non-extraction therapy where one expands a patient’s jaw and/or shaves teeth to reduce their width to make everything fit. We make a thorough evaluation at consultations and discuss options to determine which procedure best suits each patient.

What are the different types of braces?

Metal braces are the most popular with kids and teenagers. They love using different colors of ligature ties. These braces are smaller than ever before.

Translucent ceramic braces are the most popular braces with adults. You have to be very close to someone to be able to see them. Yet, because they are a ceramic material, they are more fragile and have some limitations. The Angolkar4Smiles team will discuss all braces options with you at your consultation appointment.

Is orthodontic care expensive? Do you have payment plan?

We take great care to ensure that all patients have access to payment plans that make braces or orthodontic treatment affordable.

We offer financial payment plans with the option of no down payment and affordable monthly payments. We do not charge any interest. We have found that the initial down payment charged by traditional orthodontists is prohibitive to many hard-working families, especially those with multiple family members who could benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Please call our office to discuss our affordable financing and start smiling!