Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about orthodontics and oral health issues with braces.  If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.  Please contact us at 1-866-5-DR-GARY.

Click on a question below to see the answer.


View all answers
A:

There are 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?
  • What payment options are offered (our office has no down payment options as well as third party financing options)?
  • What portion will my insurance cover for the treatment?
  • How do we get started?
A: Some people will qualify for more than one treatment type. If multiple treatment options are available, Dr. Sexson will explain the pros and cons of each option. Besides the traditional metal and clear brackets, we specialize in cutting edge treatments such as Invisalign and SureSmile.
A: Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention, called Phase I or early treatment. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment they will be placed on a recall program. At recall appointments, the patient's growth and development in monitored until the time is right for treatment to begin. Dr. Sexson prefers to begin full orthodontic treatment when there are zero to six baby teeth left in the mouth.
A: Removal of permanent teeth is rarely required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics and thanks to new technology which has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is done very sparsely.
A: No! A surprising percentage of our patients, about 23%, are adults. Teeth are orthodontically moved through the soft and hard tissues of the gums and bone. Assuming the gum tissues and jaw bones are healthy, there really is no age limit to orthodontic treatment. We have successfully treated patients in their seventies. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults as well as adolescents. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!
A: Yes. A tooth with a root canal or crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling, assuming the gums are healthy. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth and hold the space until your dentist is able to complete your care.
A: Yes! Our belief is to deliver high quality care that is highly affordable. We offer complimentary consultations and no down payment plan options, as well as low monthly payments spread over the length of treatment. Outside financing companies, such as Springstone and Chase Health Advance, are also available which allow you options to spread the payments out past your treatment time. We also accept assignment of insurance and offer the convenience of online payment processing.
A: No! Your Total Case Fee is just that. It includes the cost of initial diagnostic records, orthodontic appliance placement, treatment visits, removal of appliances, the first set of retainers, final records and retainer visits. There is an additional fee for clear brackets that will be included in the total case fee. We also sell Crest WhiteStrips - Supreme Professional Whitening, Oral-B Professional Care Smart Series 5000 toothbrushes and MI Paste which are sold separately for patients that need extra care for their teeth.
A: Yes! Besides the detailed instructions given to the patient at the initial banding appointment, the patient/parent will be informed of what has been done at every visit to our office. At each appointment you will receive written communication about how your/your child's treatment is progressing. Additional instructions will be given as new treatment/appliances are initiated, such as elastic wear. If you have any questions about your treatment, we encourage you to ask the doctor or clinical staff.
A: We have always prided ourselves with accurate treatment time estimates, assuming that the patient cooperates with treatment. And with the advent of SureSmile, treatment times are being reduced up to 40% less time than traditional braces.
A: Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete oral care instructions and provide a list of foods to avoid. We recommend patients avoid any foods that are hard, sticky or chewy. You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
A: Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled six to eight weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school or work due to their orthodontic needs. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs. We are open Monday through Friday with flexible patient hours as early as 7:20 am and as late as 5:40 pm. We keep our schedules open so that we can get new patients in to be seen and started as soon as possible - no waiting lists here! By scheduling longer appointments during the morning and early afternoon hours, we are able to schedule most of the quick adjustment appointments during after school hours.
A: Dr. Sexson and his staff are dedicated to delivering quality orthodontic care. It is the goal of both doctor and staff to create beautiful and healthy smiles. Being involved in community service activities shows a level of caring that goes above and beyond the office. Sponsorship of patient’s school programs, sports teams and various fundraisers gives the opportunity to contribute to the future of the local communities.
A: Our office staff attend numerous workshops and seminars in both clinical and business courses. We firmly believe in CE (continuing education) courses to keep us current on all the latest technology available to our patients. Advanced training means you will receive the level of expertise you expect from our specialist and his team.
A:

All instruments are sterilized between each patient use and sterilization techniques are compliant with all OSHA regulations. All disposable instruments are properly disposed of and treatment areas are disinfected. We don't reuse or recycle brackets or wires.
A: Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own high quality brackets, bands and wires to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
A: Orthodontic emergencies are usually rare, but occasionally the appliances become damaged and cause discomfort. Orthodontic emergencies are different than dental emergencies. A dental emergency would involve a direct injury to the mouth or teeth whereby a tooth has been knocked out, severely displaced, or fractured. With these types of injuries, it is best to contact your family dentist first so he/she can assess damage to the jaws and teeth. Orthodontic emergencies usually consist of loose, broken, or bent appliances. Certain instances will require an office appointment while other things are not as critical and can occasionally be handled at home. The important thing to remember about emergencies is that if you are in pain, discomfort, or have a question, please call the office to discuss your problem. If no one is in the office, the message can direct you to a number to call for help.
A: 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, but usual cleaning appointment intervals range between three to six months.
A:

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.

Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums.  The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay.  Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar).  If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.

Toothbrushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

  • Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
  • Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
  • Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended.  They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently.  Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.  Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

  • Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
  • Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
  • Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline.  Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush.  If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.