Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent, and treat dental and facial irregularities. An orthodontist is a dentist who received 2-3 years of additional specialized education beyond dental school in straightening teeth, correcting misaligned jaws, and improving the appearance, as well as function, of your smile.
No, many of our patients are referred by their dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every five to eight weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
Wearing your retainer as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after your orthodontic treatment. Dr. Bitton will recommend how long you should wear your retainer, based upon your specific needs. There are many reasons teeth may move following orthodontic treatment. Because the bone around your teeth is continually remodeling (breaking down and rebuilding), your teeth may shift after your braces are removed. By wearing your retainer, your teeth are more likely to remain where they were placed during treatment.
Generally, braces do not “hurt.” After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all!
Yes, we recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day – after each meal and before going to bed.
If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment lasts about 12-21 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe as the child grows.
No, in fact only 1 in 3 orthodontists are board certified. An orthodontist who has graduated from a specialty program is eligible to become board certified through the examination process of The American Board of Orthodontics. This is a voluntary effort that requires an arduous clinical examination, applying traditional academic knowledge as well as patient care and presenting treatment results for critical review by a panel of expert examiners. Dr. Bitton has demonstrated her commitment to excellence and the highest quality of care by becoming board certified.
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 orthodontic condition.
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at almost any age. In fact, about one in every four orthodontic patients today is over the age of 21. Thanks to today’s less visible and more comfortable orthodontic appliances, such as clear braces and Invisalign®, adults are finding treatment more appealing.
No, retainers stabilize and preserve the alignment of teeth that orthodontic treatment achieved. Many people wear removable retainers nightly for the rest of their lives, not only to preserve their orthodontic alignment but also to protect from grinding your teeth.
Yes, there is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
No, shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
Yes! Regular checkups with your dentist are even more important while in treatment.
Your dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in treatment.
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. gum and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
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.
