FAQ

No, you simply need to call our office and make an appointment for a complimentary consultation!

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an Orthodontist at the first sign of trouble. If there are no problems, they recommend that children come in at age seven just to look for any potential problems. At this age, they should have a few of their permanent teeth, including their first molars, which will help to determine their bite.

At your first examination, we ask that you try to fill out the paperwork beforehand to reduce your waiting time. We will then go over your medical and dental history. It is also important to let us know if you have any problems with your teeth, mouth, or jaw. We will then perform a thorough examination with digital records so that we can get you a diagnosis. At that time, we will go over your options so that you can have a smile you are proud of.

Treatment times vary greatly depending on a patient’s age, what we are treating, and what the treatment is. Our Arvada, Colorado office offers braces, Invisalign, retainers, palate expanders, Orthognathic surgery, and airway/sleep apnea treatments. We normally treat our patients for approximately twelve to twenty four months.

Since every treatment is different depending on the patient’s specific needs, it is impossible to estimate the cost until after your first visit. At that time, we will go over the cost and discuss financing. We will also work with you to get your insurance to cover as much of it as possible.

Since all treatments are different, it can be hard to know how often you will need to come in for appointments. Generally, we like to see most patients every five to ten weeks, though there are some patients who need to be monitored more frequently.

We do allow you to drop your child off because we understand that you are busy. However, there are times when we may need to speak to you before drop off. Please make sure that we don’t need your consent for something before you leave.

Braces are not supposed to hurt. There are going to be some visits that make your teeth sore for a few days. You should be able to get some relief with over-the-counter pain medications. Most appointments won’t cause you to be sore at all.

Yes. Once we determine that you need braces, we will go over a complete list of foods that you can’t eat. To give you an idea of what you have to stay away from, you will need to avoid hard candy, raw vegetables, sticky food, and more. Following these simple rules makes you less likely to damage your braces.

Anytime your braces cause you a lot of pain or break, it is important to give us a call. Sometimes we can help you over the phone, though there are times when you will need to be seen. We will squeeze you in during these times.

Phase One treatment is considered early treatment. It starts when a child is between seven and ten years old. It lasts about twelve months. It is our goal to help address significant problems to prevent them from becoming worse and causing further issues later during the teenage years.

After Phase One treatment, we will closely monitor your child’s growth and teeth eruption to determine if braces are needed and when. Typically, braces are needed after completing Phase One treatment.