FAQ
Do I need a referral from my dentist to see the orthodontist?
No. If you have concerns about your smile or your bite, please call our office and we will schedule a consultation. At that appointment, we can determine your concerns, identify problems with your teeth bite and smile and chart a tentative course to a solution for you. However, it is very important that we work together with your family dentist to achieve our goals. We will need to ensure that you have had a recent exam and cleaning and that all necessary dental work is up to date, before any braces are placed or other treatment is started.
Do I need to see my dentist during my orthodontic treatment?
Absolutely! It is very important that you see your dentist at least every six months while you have braces on so that you can be checked for cavities and to have your teeth cleaned. For some patients, we recommend even more frequent cleanings. Please let us know after you have had your teeth cleaned so that we can update our files. Some dentists incorporate orthodontic treatment into their practices, drawing upon information learned in dental school and short courses on orthodontics. Your dentist may offer to treat your orthodontic problem if he or she feels it is within the scope of their his or her abilities. If not, a referral to an orthodontist is indicated. Some of the dentists who refer the greatest numbers of patients to our office do some orthodontic treatment in their office: their knowledge of bite problems helps them identify situations that demand assessment by an orthodontist.
What is the oldest that you can be and still have your teeth straightened?
There really is no upper limit! As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, orthodontics is a possibility. During his orthodontic training in San Francisco, Dr. Dumore met a patient in her early 70's who had always been unhappy with her smile and did not like the prospect of living another 30 years with crooked teeth ... so she had them straightened!
What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has specialized in orthodontics, that specific area of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. To become an orthodontist, a dentist must return to school to attend a 2-3 year full time residency program of advanced education in orthodontics accredited by the Canadian Dental Association.
How long do I have to wear braces?
There are many factors that determine how long you will need to wear your braces. Generally speaking, the more difficult your problem, the longer your treatment will take, but most cases finish in 18-24 months. The time usually goes fairly fast and at the end of that time, you have a beautiful smile and a healthy bite to show for your effort.
You can have a significant impact on how long your treatment takes by avoiding breakage of your braces, following our instructions carefully, and attending all of your appointments. Please see our section on caring for your braces in "The Big Day" area for more detailed information.
How much does orthodontic treatment costs?
It is difficult to give an exact figure given that orthodontic problems range from simple to extremely complex. As well, the treatment approach selected by Dr. Dumore with your input can affect the cost of your treatment. At your consultation appointment, Dr. Dumore's office will give you an estimate for the actual cost of your treatment and the payment options that are available to you. Please visit the "Our Office" section for more information on payments and appointments.
Will it hurt?
The actual placement of your braces (or other orthodontic devices) does not hurt. (Please visit "The Big Day" section for more information on placement of braces to see for yourself.) However, most folks find that there is some initial discomfort during the first week or so with braces. A great way to minimize this discomfort is to take ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin are two popular examples) about an hour or so before placement of separators, braces, or wire changes. Usually, any discomfort is short lived.
As well, techniques and materials available to orthodontists mean that patients today are likely to have a much more comfortable experience compared to patients decades ago.
What can I eat?
In reality, you can eat just about anything as long as you use a little common sense. We have a whole section devoted to this topic on our web site and we will review eating with braces on the day that the braces are placed. Please visit "The Big Day" section for more information on good foods and bad foods.
What is the "Rewards Program" all about?
There are a few key things that can determine how successful your treatment is: being on time for appointments ... clean teeth and braces ... avoiding breakage of the braces ... using your 'extra devices' such as headgear and rubber bands. We are big believers in using "carrots" instead of "sticks". Rather than giving you heck if we see problems, we prefer to reward you when we see you doing things right! This is the foundation of our rewards program. Each visit to the office can earn you "Tim Bucks" that you can redeem for prizes or gift certificates!
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