FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, etc.
“When should I take my child to see an orthodontist?”
Dr. Browne agrees with the national recommendation (AAOinfo.org) to have each child seen by an orthodontist no later than age 7. Taking this a step further, Dr. Browne recommends that you see multiple orthodontists to help in the decision.
Below are the reasons, when considered together, that Dr. Browne recommends seeing multiple orthodontists before age 8:
“Do I need need to replace my toothbrush after I get sick?”
Dr. Browne recommends the following:
“How long does treatment take?”
Every case varies, so the range of treatment times can be from 6 months to 36 months. With that said, most cases are around 18-22 months.
“How frequently do we come in?”
The typical frequency of visits is 4-6 weeks. There are often additional visits required at the beginning and end of treatment.
“Why do some children get braces so early?”
There are many reasons that a child may have braces early. Dr. Browne believes in early treatment in the following situations only:
“Does insurance cover braces?”
Insurance rarely covers the entire cost of braces, but many dental policies have orthodontic benefits. We accept all insurance companies and are happy to check your benefits for you to help in estimating your out-of-pocket costs.
“Can I wear a mouthguard while in braces?”
Yes! Dr. Browne recommends mouthguards by a company called Shock Doctor. Look for them online or in stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods. The guards with the term “braces” in the name are specifically designed to accommodate braces.
“What can I do to help my treatment go well?”
Dr. Browne views himself as the coach. The patient is the player. The coach needs four main things from his players in order for things to go well:
205.293.2400 Call now for your free consultation
“When should I take my child to see an orthodontist?”
Dr. Browne agrees with the national recommendation (AAOinfo.org) to have each child seen by an orthodontist no later than age 7. Taking this a step further, Dr. Browne recommends that you see multiple orthodontists to help in the decision.
Below are the reasons, when considered together, that Dr. Browne recommends seeing multiple orthodontists before age 8:
- A NEED - Some children truly need to have orthodontic intervention before all the permanent teeth are in the mouth. If you wait until all of the baby teeth are out, which is a common and logical thought process among parents, you may miss a key treatment window.
- IT’S FREE - Very few orthodontist charge any fee to do an evaluation/consultation. The only cost to begin gathering information is time and effort.
- BETTER DECISIONS - Let’s say, for example, your child is developing normally and will not benefit from braces at an early age (if ever). The earlier you begin getting opinions on your child’s development and potential needs, the more time you will have to evaluate each orthodontist, the office, and the treatment recommendations you are getting. This gives you time to make a more informed decision if and when the time is right.
“Do I need need to replace my toothbrush after I get sick?”
Dr. Browne recommends the following:
- Do not share toothbrushes
- After brushing, rinse well and shake to remove gunk and toothpaste from the bristles
- Store the toothbrush in the open air in the upright position, allowing the brush to dry
- Do not store in a case, bag, etc. Moisture promotes growth of germs.
- Replace your brush when the bristles looked matted or frayed. This is due to the reduced effectiveness of a worn brush and not because of germs in the brush.
“How long does treatment take?”
Every case varies, so the range of treatment times can be from 6 months to 36 months. With that said, most cases are around 18-22 months.
“How frequently do we come in?”
The typical frequency of visits is 4-6 weeks. There are often additional visits required at the beginning and end of treatment.
“Why do some children get braces so early?”
There are many reasons that a child may have braces early. Dr. Browne believes in early treatment in the following situations only:
- Skeletal - early interventions that affect affect positioning of the bones are more effective at age 8-10 than at age 12-14.
- Social - if there are self-confidence issues related to the teeth and early orthodontic treatment has the potential to help, then treatment is indicated.
- Safety - early treatment of protrusive, or “bucked”, permanent front teeth can reduce the risk of trauma to those teeth, especially in children who are very active, prone to falls, etc.
“Does insurance cover braces?”
Insurance rarely covers the entire cost of braces, but many dental policies have orthodontic benefits. We accept all insurance companies and are happy to check your benefits for you to help in estimating your out-of-pocket costs.
“Can I wear a mouthguard while in braces?”
Yes! Dr. Browne recommends mouthguards by a company called Shock Doctor. Look for them online or in stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods. The guards with the term “braces” in the name are specifically designed to accommodate braces.
“What can I do to help my treatment go well?”
Dr. Browne views himself as the coach. The patient is the player. The coach needs four main things from his players in order for things to go well:
- Consistently come to your scheduled appointments.
- Take oral hygiene seriously. Keep your mouth clean and be proud of it!
- Do what coach asks in terms of diet control. Broken brackets slow things down.
- If we prescribe rubber band wear or other instructions, do your best to comply. Teeth do not move on their own, but only in response to consistent forces.
205.293.2400 Call now for your free consultation