Smiles With Style

Exam/Evaluation

1. 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 child’s orthodontic condition.

2. Will my child’s 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.

3. Why should you choose a qualified 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. Our specialists have studied two years beyond the 4 years of dental school specifically for orthodontics. Dr. Gary D. Sexson II has gone a step beyond and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. For more information, visit www.cdabo.org.

4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?

Simply call one of our offices at 1-866-5-DR-GARY. We will be happy to schedule a complimentary consultation appointment for you. Our office staff will require some information from you in order to get your appointment scheduled.

5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?

Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be greeted by the staff and doctor who will introduce you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We will take the necessary X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis and the doctor will then complete a thorough orthodontic exam.

6. What will I learn from the initial examination?

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?

Treatment

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.

8. Can orthodontic treatment start even though a child still has many baby teeth?

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention, called Phase I. 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. See Early Treatment (Phase I) under treatment types.

9. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?

No! A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!

10. Can I wear braces even though I have had root canal therapy, crowns or missing teeth?

Yes. A tooth with a root canal or 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 and hold the space until your dentist is able to complete your care.

11. Do you use recycled braces?

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.

12. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?

Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete 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.

13. Will I be offered more than one treatment option?

Most people will qualify for more than one treatment type. Besides the traditional metal and clear brackets, we specialize in cutting edge treatments such as Invisalign at www.invisalign.com and Sure Smile at www.suresmile.com.

14. Will I get my braces off in the time quoted at the beginning of treatment?

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.

15. Will treatment education be given to the patient?

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 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.

Appointments

16. 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 six to eight weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic needs. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs. We are open Monday - 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.

17. Are there orthodontic emergencies?

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, 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.

Finances

18. Do you have affordable treatment?

Yes! Our belief is in high quality care that is highly affordable. We offer no down payment plans as well as low monthly payments. Outside financing options are also available. We accept insurance assignment and offer the convenience of online payment processing.

19. Are there additional hidden costs for my braces?

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.

Miscellaneous

20. Do you sterilize instruments?

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.

21. 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.

22. Is your staff continually trained?

Our office staff attend numerous workshops and seminars in CPR, 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 specialists and their teams.

23. What about customer service?

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 (Walk for Life) give the opportunity to contribute to the future of the local communities.