Frequently Asked Questions
Questions or Concerns?
We at Oubre Orthodontics understand how complicated orthodontics can seem to patients. We’re always glad to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have related to the orthodontic treatment process. We’ve even provided you with the answers to a list of FAQs about orthodontics. We hope this helps and that you learn something new!
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses and treats problems related to jaw growth and development as well as tooth alignment, position, and spacing.
The two main reasons for undergoing orthodontic treatment are to improve the look of your smile and to improve the function of your bite.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children come in for a first visit at around the age of seven. However, there’s really no wrong time to visit the orthodontist either.
Unfortunately, we cannot give a real timetable as it will vary from one patient to the next. Orthodontic treatment generally takes six to thirty months.
Again, there’s no clear estimate that we can make, as it’ll depend on the patient’s orthodontic condition and what’s being done. During your active treatment, you’ll typically have to see your orthodontist once every four to ten weeks.
If you’re wearing braces, you must avoid any hard or sticky foods. Hard foods can potentially break the wires and brackets of your braces, while sticky foods can sometimes get caught in your braces, causing them to loosen or even come off completely.
In pretty much every scenario, the answer is yes. If you don’t wear a retainer, your teeth may end up shifting back into unwanted positions, erasing all the hard work that you put in during your orthodontic treatment.
While it’s true that orthodontics isn’t cheap, it’s a long-term investment toward your health and well-being. To make it more affordable for our patients, we offer many financing options.