Common Questions About Orthodontic Care
Starting orthodontic treatment often comes with questions, and our Springville team wants you to feel informed every step of the way. Below, find answers to some of the most common questions we hear from patients and parents about braces, Invisalign, appointments, and what to expect throughout treatment.
No referral is necessary. Some patients come to us after their family dentist suggests an evaluation, while many others choose to schedule directly with our Springville office on their own.
The American Association of Orthodontists suggests scheduling a first screening around age 7. By this point, enough permanent teeth have typically emerged for our team to evaluate bite and jaw development accurately.
Usually not. The amount of space available for front teeth doesn't expand with age, and in many cases it actually shrinks once the permanent molars come in.
Scheduling is easy. Simply call or email our office, and we'll find a time that fits your schedule.
At your first appointment, our team will capture any necessary photographs and X-rays and complete a full evaluation of your teeth and bite. This gives us the details needed to build a treatment recommendation suited to you.
Your initial exam will cover several key points, including whether treatment is needed, which options would work best, whether any teeth require attention beforehand, how long treatment might take, and what costs to expect.
Not always. Extractions are sometimes part of achieving the best result, but many patients complete treatment without needing any teeth removed, thanks to modern orthodontic methods.
Every case is different, but treatment generally falls between 12 and 30 months, with most patients averaging around 22 months.
Costs vary by treatment plan, so we can't give an exact number until after your initial exam. Once we understand your needs, our Springville team will review financing options and explain how your insurance benefits may apply.
Visit frequency depends on your specific treatment plan, though most patients in braces come in every five to ten weeks. Cases that need closer monitoring may require more frequent visits.
Not every appointment can be scheduled after school, since treatment typically requires more visits than after-school hours alone could accommodate. Even so, we do our best to limit the time missed from class whenever we can.
Yes, we know schedules can be tight. We may occasionally need to speak briefly with a parent afterward, so it's a good idea to check with our front desk before dropping off.
Braces typically aren't painful, though some soreness after adjustments is normal for a few days. Most patients find relief with over-the-counter pain medication and feel back to normal within a day or two.
Yes. There's no need to miss school on the day braces are placed.
No. Orthodontic treatment does not involve shots or injections.
No. Every patient receives brand new braces made specifically for their treatment.
Yes. We recommend wearing a mouthguard during sports for any patient currently in braces.
Yes. Routine dental visits remain important throughout treatment. Your family dentist can advise you on how often you should be seen while wearing braces.
Yes. Once treatment starts, our Springville team will provide a list of foods to avoid, such as hard candy, ice, and sticky treats like caramel. Steering clear of these foods helps prevent damaged brackets and wires.
We recommend brushing at least four times daily, ideally after meals and before bed. Our team will demonstrate proper brushing techniques for braces and may suggest a toothbrush that makes cleaning easier.
If you're experiencing significant discomfort with your braces, call our office right away. Many issues can be resolved over the phone, though we'll schedule an in-person visit quickly if needed.
Yes, in some situations. Certain orthodontic concerns are significant enough to call for early intervention. If a child isn't quite ready for full treatment, we'll continue monitoring growth until the timing is right.
Phase One treatment is generally recommended for children between ages 7 and 10. It typically lasts nine to twelve months and focuses on addressing significant concerns before they become more complex to treat.
In most cases, yes. After Phase One, children typically enter a monitoring period while we track growth and tooth eruption, and we'll provide guidance on next steps along the way.
That depends on the results of their initial exam. Our team will determine whether an expander fits into the right treatment plan after evaluating jaw and tooth development.
Not at all. Many of our patients are adults, and confidence in your smile matters at every age. There's no cutoff age for orthodontic treatment.
Yes. Teeth with crowns can be moved using a simple attachment just like natural teeth, and treatment can still improve overall alignment even when teeth are missing.
Orthodontic treatment involves permanent changes to bite alignment and facial structure, so precision matters. Specialists in this field complete additional years of focused training beyond dental school, offering patients a deeper level of expertise.