It is a common misconception that a dental referral is needed prior to scheduling an orthodontic exam. While many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves. A referral is not needed prior to calling our office for an initial appointment.
Once a child’s permanent teeth begin to come in, it is a good time to get a consultation from your orthodontist.The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. While Dr. Runnels will begin treatment on most children between the ages of 11 and 15 years, there are certain types of cases that could benefit from earlier corrective action.Most early consultations just confirm that everything is on track.
The space available for teeth in the mouth does not increase with age so, unfortunately, there won’t be any opportunity for your child’s teeth to straighten. The fact is, after the molars erupt (usually in the sixth year) the space in the mouth actually gets smaller as the child grows older. So, if your child has crooked or crowded teeth, it’s best to get an orthodontic evaluation sooner rather than later.
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail or fill out or appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.
During your first visit you’ll have a chance to sample our warm and friendly atmosphere. Your initial appointment will consist of our records technician giving you a tour of our office, obtaining photographs of your face and teeth along with x-rays. Dr. Runnels will then complete a thorough examination and discuss potential treatment options and discuss what you can expect with braces. If treatment is recommended then our office manager will finish the appointment by discussing financial options, any available insurance benefits and will schedule any future appointments that may be required.
It is very important to us that you come away from the first visit with a clear understanding of your individual orthodontic needs, how these needs will be met, how long it will take and how much it will cost. We always want you to feel comfortable asking any questions that you may have about any part of the orthodontic treatment process.
You will have an opportunity to discover some important traits about our office:
Caring and compassionate staff along with an energetic and personable doctor
No wait time
Easy scheduling process; self check-in and check-out
Efficient treatment plans
Affordable and flexible payment options
Warm family f atmosphere
There are five 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?
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 for orthodontic treatment.
The amount of time a patient will be in orthodontic treatment depends upon the complexity of the individual case. In general, treatment time lasts from 8 months to 30 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 18-24 months. Every case is different and treatment times can vary depending upon how the patient responds. New technology, such as the space age wires and fast braces, are decreasing the amount of time a patient will be in braces.
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and our flexible financial options during the initial examination. We have several financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit file claims on your behalf, should orthodontic benefits be available.
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 5 to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return, so we ask that parents check in with the clinical technician treating their child before dropping off their child.
There is no reason that you or your child would need to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment. Discomfort from treatment is generally very minimal and should not interfere with your regular routine.
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports. Our office will provide a mouth guard to any patient that specifies their need or participation in a sporting event.
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. We will work with your family dentist to determine the amount of time needed between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.
It’s best to brush within five minutes after eating anything, even if you’re just snacking, and especially after a meal. Brushing away cavity-causing bacteria helps keep your teeth cavity-free. Carry a travel toothbrush in a backpack, purse or briefcase to always have on hand for brushing away from home.In general, patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day. We will demonstrate the proper way to floss and brush with your orthodontic appliances in place.
True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. 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.
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment usually lasts about 16-21 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.
It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the “resting period,” during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is “too old” to wear braces!
Yes. A tooth with a 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.
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.
Please see our Invisalign Vs. Braces comparison under the treatment tab or click here https://runnelsortho.com/invisalign-vs-braces/.