FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities.  An orthodontist must complete intensive specialized training for an additional 2-3 years after completion of 4 years of dental school, focusing only on orthodontics. Orthodontists have the clinical experience necessary to diagnose and treat you and your child’s orthodontic needs.

Orthodontists must complete college requirements, graduate from dental school and successfully complete a minimum of two academic years of study in an orthodontic residency program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation where they master the skills needed to align and straighten teeth.

Only those who have completed this rigorous education may call themselves “orthodontists” and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Although most orthodontic treatment begins between the ages of 9 and 14, some children’s orthodontic problems can benefit from early treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child’s first orthodontic check-up should be at the age of 7 years old. The advantage of an orthodontic screening by age 7 is that some orthodontic problems may be detected early.  It’s easier to correct some specific problems if found and treated early.

Putting off a check-up with an orthodontist until a child has lost all of their baby teeth could be a disservice. Some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if they’re found early.  There are some problems that, if not corrected early, may not be possible to correct without jaw surgery once the face and jaws have finished growing. If it appears that your child will need orthodontic treatment at some point, Dr. Proano Wise will advise you about the best time to begin treatment. If early treatment is needed, it can give Dr. Proano Wise the chance to:

• Guide jaw growth
• Correct a crossbite
• Correct an underbite
• Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• Correct harmful oral habits such as finger sucking or lip biting
• Improve appearance and self-esteem
• Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
• Improve the way lips meet

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Habits such as thumb sucking or lip biting. It’s best to correct these habits BEFORE the permanent incisors erupt.
• Flared upper front teeth “Bucked Teeth”
• Lower jaw that sticks out in front of the upper jaw “underbite”
• Upper jaw that is more narrow than the lower jaw “crossbite”

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic screening by age 7.   The advantage of early detection is that some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if found and treated early.  85-90% of the time, we will just monitor the growth and development of your child every 9-12 months until he/she is ready for full treatment.

Remember – there is no age limit for orthodontics.

Braces and Invisalign don’t know your age!

There’s no age limit when it comes to orthodontic treatment. A smile can be made beautiful at any age!

Did you know that 20% – 25% of patients seeking orthodontic treatment are adults? So, if you have been thinking about orthodontic treatment for yourself, you are definitely not alone. Many adults have wanted to improve their smile since they were young, however, for some their parents could not afford it or they had braces but stopped wearing their retainers which caused their teeth to shift or they decided to take care of their own children’s orthodontic needs before their own.  Whatever the reason, it’s never too late to begin orthodontic treatment. You deserve it!

FUN FACT:  Dr. Proano Wise can relate with you because she herself had orthodontic treatment as an adult!

Dr. Proano Wise offers several different orthodontic treatment choices for adult patients and will suggest the best solution for your particular situation.

One option that is popular with adults is Invisalign, which aligns teeth with removable, custom-made clear plastic aligners. Although Invisalign aligners are removable, you should only take them out of your mouth when eating or when you are brushing and flossing your teeth.

If you have been avoiding orthodontic treatment because you do want traditional metal braces, Dr. Proano Wise also offers clear braces, which are a beautiful choice if you’re worried about your appearance since they are not as noticeable as metal braces.

Traditional metal braces are also an option.

Remember, it is never too late to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Call Wise Braces today to schedule your FREE orthodontic consultation with Dr. Proano Wise (786)360-1048.

There is no specific length of time that you will be in orthodontic treatment.  An average orthodontic case can take anywhere from 18-30 months to complete. Every case is different; therefore, everyone’s length of treatment is slightly different.

Timing of treatment will be discussed with you during your consultation.  Your orthodontist will give you an ESTIMATED length of time your treatment will take.  This estimate is exactly that…..an estimate.  Your orthodontist cannot tell you the exact number of months your treatment will take.  Lots of variables are involved in the timing of your treatment such as; complexity of your case, patient compliance (missed appointments, broken brackets or appliances, oral hygiene) and so on.

Having your braces put on does not hurt at all.  The process involves placing cheek retractors in your mouth in order to keep you lips and cheeks off your teeth so they can remain dry while your braces are put on.  Each bracket is individually glued onto your teeth with a special glue and placed in a specific location on each tooth.  Then the glue is cured (dried) and the cheek retractors are moved.  Finally, a wire is held onto your brackets with the o-tie color of your choice.  Once your braces are put on, you will be given instructions on how to keep your teeth clean with braces and foods that you should avoid during your orthodontic treatment.

It’s common for your teeth to start feeling sore or tender 24-48 hours after your braces are put on.  This soreness can last for 3-5 days and is completely normal.  If necessary, over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to alleviate the soreness.

No.  Orthodontic treatment is usually elective.  No one has ever died because they did not go through orthodontic treatment.  However, straight teeth and a good bite can make chewing more efficient, make cleaning your teeth easier, and contribute to improved oral health.  People with straight teeth tend to have a higher self-esteem and also perceived by the public as looking nicer.

Yes, rubber bands are important. Sometimes, braces alone are not enough to move your teeth to their ideal position without the constant force of the rubber bands guiding them into place.

Some brackets have a tiny hook on them that point in the direction of your gums.  These hooks are used to attach rubber bands to.  These rubber bands are attached to specific teeth to help with tooth alignment and bite correction. If you need to wear rubber bands, we will show which bracket hooks to attach them too and we will teach you how to change the rubber bands regularly because they need to be replaced several times a day. If you are compliant with wearing your rubber bands as instructed, you’ll be able to get your braces off a lot sooner than if you neglect this important step.

We cannot wear you rubber bands for you.  This is your responsibility. YOU ARE IN CONTROL!  Non-compliance with rubber band wear can have a negative effect on your treatment results and cause you to be in braces longer than your estimated treatment time.  If you forget how to wear your rubber bands or you lose your rubber bands, don’t ask your friend with braces how they wear theirs and don’t borrow anyone else’s rubber bands.  Rubber bands come in many different sizes and strengths and there are many different ways to wear rubber bands, so it is important that you are wearing the right ones correctly. Please call our office if you have forgotten how to wear your rubber bands or if you have lost your bag of rubber bands (786)360-1048.

We use state-of-the-art sterilization techniques for all of our equipment and instruments.  You can be assured that we follow infection control protocol and that all of our instruments are sterilized. Our autoclave sterilizer is tested by an independent testing service every month to ensure that the equipment is functioning perfectly for all of our patients. We would be happy to show you our sterilization procedures.

Gloves are worn by the doctor and chair side assistants whenever treating patients. This is done for the protection of both you and the person working on you. Gloves help to minimize the risk of disease transmission.

Phase I is also known as early orthodontic treatment and usually takes 12-18 months to complete.  And no, every child does not require Phase I treatment.

As a parent of two children, Dr. Nancy Proano Wise understands how valuable your children are to you. Although most orthodontic treatment begins between the ages of 9 and 14, some children’s orthodontic problems can benefit from early treatment. Phase I treatment is sometimes necessary BEFORE all the permanent teeth have erupted. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child’s first orthodontic check-up should be at the age of 7 years old. Putting off a check-up with an orthodontist until a child has lost all of their baby teeth could be a disservice. Some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if they’re found early.  There are some problems that, if not corrected early, may not be possible to correct without jaw surgery once the face and jaws have finished growing. If it appears that your child will need orthodontic treatment at some point, Dr. Proano Wise will advise you about the best time to begin treatment. If early treatment is needed, it can give Dr. Proano Wise the chance to:

• Guide jaw growth
• Correct a crossbite
• Correct an underbite
• Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• Correct harmful oral habits such as finger sucking
• Improve appearance and self-esteem
• Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
• Improve the way lips meet

Even teeth that look straight may be hiding an unhealthy bite and you may not always be able to tell when your child has an orthodontic problem. Your dentist can alert you to any concerns about how the teeth and jaws are developing. But sometimes parents are the first to recognize a problem with the alignment of teeth and jaws. Here are some helpful clues that may indicate the need for early orthodontic treatment:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Finger or thumb sucking
• Crowded, misaligned or blocked-out teeth
• Jaws that are too far forward or back
• Biting into the roof of the mouth
• Protruding front teeth “bucked teeth”
• Upper and lower teeth that don’t meet, or meet in an abnormal way
• An unbalanced facial appearance
• A crossbite
• An underbite

If early treatment is not needed for your child, it is recommended that Dr. Proano Wise see your child for periodic orthodontic checkups to monitor: jaw growth, the loss of baby teeth and eruption of permanent teeth, and other issues that may eventually require orthodontic intervention.

You may ask, why does my child need Phase II treatment and how does two-phase treatment benefit my child?

To begin with, a first phase of treatment, otherwise known as Phase I treatment may have been indicated before your child lost all their baby teeth:

• to prevent a problem from developing such as impaction of permanent teeth
• To intercept a developing problem such as a crossbite or an underbite
• To stop a harmful habit such as finger sucking
• To reduce the risk of breaking front teeth that protrude
• or to guide the growth of the jaws that support the teeth.

Most patients who had Phase I treatment will require a second phase of treatment (Phase II) when they have most or all of their permanent teeth, often with braces or Invisalign, to complete the tooth and jaw alignment that was started during the first phase of treatment (Phase I).

The goal of Phase II treatment is to create a better environment for your child’s permanent teeth.  A second phase of treatment moves the permanent teeth into their final positions.

Yes!  Timing is everything! Orthodontic treatment and a child’s growth can complement each other.  Some problems that can be treated quite well in a growing child mat require corrective SURGERY if treated after growth is complete.

For example, a growing child who has a crossbite can be treated easily with an expander and braces.  However, an adult who presents with a crossbite will most likely require orthognathic jaw surgery to correct the crossbite.

It’s all about TIMING!

Not everyone who has braces needs to have teeth extracted. However, in some cases, extraction of permanent teeth is necessary. Extractions may be necessary to correct severe crowding, improve soft tissue facial balance, and aid in correction of a bad bite.  If your orthodontist recommends extractions for your case, the spaces will be closed by the time your orthodontic treatment is completed.  The only person who will notice that you had teeth extracted is another dental professional.

Yes.  Forever!  It’s recommended that retainers are worn for a lifetime in order to prevent relapse or shifting of your teeth after orthodontic treatment. Our teeth are constantly moving throughout our lives, even if we never had braces.  Changes in tooth position are a lifelong and naturally occurring phenomenon. This is why it’s important to never stop wearing your retainers.

Teeth are not set in concrete, they are in bone.  And because bone around your teeth is continually changing (breaking down and rebuilding), your teeth may shift after your braces are removed.

Wearing your retainers as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after your orthodontic treatment.

If your retainers are lost or broken, please call to schedule an appointment right away so Dr. Proano Wise can make you new retainers. The longer you go without wearing retainers, the higher the chance is that your teeth will begin to shift. If your teeth shift because you let too much time pass after your retainers were lost or broken, you may need orthodontic treatment again to straighten them back up.  You will incur additional fees if retreatment is needed.

When your braces are put on, our staff will review with you the types of foods that should be avoided during your orthodontic treatment. Please do your part in avoiding certain foods in order to prevent breaking your braces, wires, or appliances and delaying your treatment time. You are in control!

The first few days after your braces are put on, your teeth will likely be sore and you will want to stick to a soft diet. Some examples are: soup, pasta, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, milk shakes, popsicles, ice cream, pancakes, soft cooked vegetables and so on.

Once your teeth are not sore anymore, you can eat most foods.  However, there are some foods you should AVOID. Foods that are hard and/or sticky should be avoided.

HARD FOODS. Hard foods can break brackets, bend wires, and cause bands to become loose. This can delay your treatment time and cause you to be in braces longer than estimated. Avoid the following hard foods:

• Hard candies (Jolly ranchers, Tootsie rolls, Lollipops, Starbursts…)
• Nuts
• Hard breads (Bagels, French bread, Pizza Crust)
• Popcorn (Biting on a popcorn kernel can break brackets and loosen bands)
• Meet on a bone (You need to take the meet OFF of the bone of chicken and ribs)
• Corn on the cob (Do not bite into corn on the cob.  It’s okay to eat corn sliced off the cob or from a can)
• Raw vegetables (Vegetables should be cooked)
• Apples (Do not bite into an apple, instead cut it into very thin slices)
• Thick style chips and pretzels
• Ice (Do not chew on ice)
• Gumballs
• Chicharrones
• Croutons
• Sunflower seeds (Cracking the shells open with your teeth can break off your braces)

STICKY FOODS. Sticky foods can get stuck to your braces, bands, or appliances and pull on them.  This can cause damage.  It’s also hard to clean sticky food off of your braces.  Please avoid the following sticky foods:

• Taffy
• Gum
• Caramels
• Tootsie Rolls
• Licorice

SUGAR. Surgary foods and drinks should be avoided because they can cause unwanted cavities.  If you eat something sugary, be sure to brush your teeth right after.  You should limit the amount of sugary foods and drinks in your diet.  For example:

• Soft drinks
• Juices high in sugar
• Candy
• Chocolate
• Donuts
• Cake
• Ice cream
• Pastries

Your orthodontist will let you know if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment. If you would like to straighten your teeth without the use of traditional braces and wires, ask you orthodontist about Invisalign.

Invisalign treatment consists of a series of clear removable aligns that are changed on a specific schedule to straighten your teeth.

Wise Braces accepts most dental insurance.  If you have dental insurance, you will need to check with your insurance carrier to find out if you have orthodontic coverage.   If you have dental insurance that includes orthodontic benefits, we will explain your benefits to you.  If, at any time, your insurance coverage changes during your time in treatment, it is your responsibility to notify Wise Braces of the change and provide us with your new insurance information.

As with all dental insurance, there is NO GUARANTEE of payment from your insurance company. Insurance companies determine their own payment schedule and make payments periodically (not all at one time) over the length of the orthodontic treatment.  Wise Braces does NOT play a role in the payment decisions made by the insurance companies. Ultimately, you are responsible for all fees not covered by you insurance carrier.

There is not set fee for every single person undergoing orthodontic treatment.  Just as everyone’s needs are different, everyone’s treatment plan is different as well.  The price for orthodontic treatment depends on several factors such as the ESTIMATED length of treatment, the complexity of your treatment, and any additional appliances that may be needed. During your FREE consultation, we will discuss you treatment and financial options with you.