Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your unique situation, but sometimes in order to achieve optimal results, teeth may need to be removed. However, advanced technology and methods have made this less common.

Yes, absolutely! A tooth will a crown will move just like a regular tooth, and treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.

Braces or Invisalign don’t “hurt,” but for the first couple days you may feel some slight discomfort. When there is soreness, Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen) can help ease the discomfort.

Absolutely. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to return to your normal daily life.

Yes. In order for Invisalign to work as it’s designed, you must wear your aligners for up to 22 hours each day. You can remove them when eating and when brushing & flossing. You can also take them out temporarily for those special occasions such as interviews or school photos as long as you put them right back in afterward.

When you first start wearing Invisalign, you may notice that your speech is not as clear as it normally is. This is nothing to panic about, as you simply must get used to wearing the aligners. Just spend a bit of time speaking or singing out loud while wearing your aligners and before you know it, your speech will return to normal.

It is very easy to clean your aligners. Just brush them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and then rinse them off to keep them fresh & clean. To keep them extra fresh, we offer Invisalign Cleaning Crystals or Retainer Brite to freshen up the trays 1-2 times per week!

At the beginning of treatment, we may see you every 3-4 weeks. As treatment progresses, we can usually monitor your progress every 8-12 weeks. Each tray could be worn from 18 days in the beginning to 7 days towards the end of treatment, depending on cooperation and progress. Every patient’s needs are different, so that can vary from smile to smile.

Yes. The day you are finished wearing your aligners is when you begin the retention phase of your treatment. This is when you will wear a retainer as directed by us so your teeth do not shift back into their original positions.

No, chewing gum is not a good idea because it will stick to your aligners and make a big mess.

Because cigarette smoke can discolor and stain your aligners, smoking is not a good idea while wearing Invisalign.

American Association of Orthodontists recommend you should schedule your child’s first appointment by age 7.

Orthodontic treatment and a child’s growth can complement each other. By timing orthodontic treatment to predictable stages of dental development, the orthodontist may be able to take advantage of your child’s growth and development. Some problems that can be treated quite well in a growing child may require corrective surgery or permanent teeth to be extracted if treated after growth has occurred.

We do our best to schedule you for the most convenient times based on your busy schedule, but cannot make any guarantees. However, most appointments are scheduled 4-10 weeks apart, so you or your child will miss minimal work/school time.

We completely understand your busy schedule and are happy to accommodate. Once you pick up your child, we will review what was accomplished at the conclusion of each appointment and what is expected to be accomplish

Of course! We do recommend that you use a mouth guard to protect your mouth during treatment.

If an orthodontic issue is severe enough, then early intervention can occur while the child still has baby teeth. If your child isn’t ready yet, we’ll simply monitor their growth and development, and begin treatment when they’re ready.

Between the ages 7 and 10, some patients require phase one (early) treatment, which usually lasts about 6-18 months. The goal of early treatment is to address more significant orthodontic issues to make later treatment processes smoother. It also drastically improves the child’s confidence and self-esteem levels.

You’ll find out if your child will need an expander after your initial consultation.

It’s best to assume that braces will be needed after phase one treatment, but we’ll monitor your child’s growth and development to ensure the best treatment methods occur next.

Absolutely. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to return to your normal daily life.

Unfortunately, no. Orthodontic issues, such as spacing and malocclusions, tend to worsen with age. It’s important to be examined as early as possible, to ensure these problems are corrected sooner rather than later.

We do our best to schedule you for the most convenient times based on your busy schedule, but cannot make any guarantees. However, most appointments are scheduled 4-10 weeks apart, so you or your child will miss minimal work/school time.

Of course! We do recommend that you use a mouthguard to protect your mouth during treatment.

Yes, absolutely! A tooth with a crown will move just like a regular tooth, and treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.

When you first start wearing braces or Invisalign®, you may notice that your speech is not as clear as it normally is. This is nothing to panic about, as you simply must get used to wearing them. Just spend a bit of time speaking or singing out loud and before you know it, your speech will return to normal.

Of course! We do recommend that you use a mouthguard to protect your mouth during treatment.

Because cigarette smoke can discolor and stain your braces and aligners, smoking is not a good idea.

Orthodontic specialists have the education, training and experience to effectively alter teeth, jaw, and facial structures to help patients achieve optimal oral health. It’s critical that treatment is personalized to each individual and properly completed, and choosing a specialist, like the orthodontists at Curtis Orthodontics, ensures that everything is done correctly.

It’s not required, but often times our patients are referred by their family dentist. However, patients also are referred by family members and friends, and take the initiative to schedule an appointment themselves.

It’s easy! You can book your free consult online or call our office. We can’t wait to meet you!

Before you leave, be sure to have all the necessary information needed to complete our new patient forms, including your insurance information. Then your doctor will complete the examination, which can include X-rays and photographs, to properly diagnose you or your child’s condition.

If you want to learn even more about what happens, you can find more information on our First Visit page.

No, as shots are not necessary for orthodontic treatment.