Frequently Asked Questions​

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DO BRACES HURT?

Getting braces put on should not hurt. However, after certain visits teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, over the counter pain medications, such as Advil or Tylenol, will ease the discomfort.

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HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY BRACES AND ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES?

We have some videos to help you get through your treatment. You can learn about brushing, what foods to avoid, and how to deal with emergencies HERE.

 

HOW LONG WILL TREATMENT BE?

Treatment time depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 6 to 30 months, while the typical time frame a person is in braces is approximately 22 months. However, Propel Orthodontics can shorten that treatment time.

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PROPEL​

If the standard treatment time appears to be too long or daunting to you, we offer Propel Orthodontics to speed up treatment by up to 60% (based on the literature). That means your 22 month orthodontic treatment plan could be as short as 10 months!

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DO YOU OFFER CLEAR BRACES?

We want to be the aesthetic alternative to your orthodontic needs, and primarily use ceramic (clear) braces as well as Invisalign, SureSmile, and 3M Clarity Aligners. Please feel free to set up a consultation to learn more about aesthetic orthodontic treatment.

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WHAT IS INVISALIGN OR CLEAR ALIGNERS?

We offer Invisalign, SureSmile, and 3M Clarity Aligners for patients who prefer to treat their smile without braces. These teeth-straightening system uses clear aligners that are made out of nearly invisible plastic and, unlike traditional braces, can be inserted and removed for special occasions, eating, and your daily cleaning routines. The aligners are BPA free and so smooth that they don’t irritate your cheeks and gums. If it is determined that clear aligners are available to treat your smile Dr. Phan will digitally scan your teeth and bite so that a series of custom-made aligners can be designed and fabricated. In order for clear aligners to work, patients need to wear them between 18-22 hours a day while balancing their removal for all meals, most beverages, and brushing your teeth. That said, the comfort, esthetics, and level of freedom clear aligners offer makes them a wonderful treatment option for teens and adults.

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WHAT IS AN INTRAORAL SCANNER?​

Impressions (or molds) of your teeth are a necessary part of your orthodontic treatment and treatment planning, and the traditional way we obtain these impressions is by using a putty or paste that sits in your mouth for a couple minutes. With advances in digital technology we've been able to use a digital intraoral scanner to capture a 3D image of your teeth and jaws. Our Sirona CEREC Ortho ditigal scanner has been able to provide a very comfortable alternative to obtaining the most accurate digital impression of your teeth.

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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE AN ORTHODONTIST?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur by the time your child is 7 years old. Most children receive orthodontic treatment around their adolescent growth spurt. However, it is important to recognize certain tooth and jaw discrepencies before it's too late. At 7 years old we may be able to correct an underbite, stop thumb-sucking effects, reduce the likelihood of fracturing protruded front teeth, eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems and also guide the growth of the jaw and regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches. Early treatment may simplify later orthodontic treatment and/or prevent surgery or the need for tooth extractions.

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DO YOU TREAT ADULTS?

Adult orthodontics is just as important to Dr. Phan as child and adolescent treatment. We take pride in offering a treatment plan that is tailored to the individual, and that means anyone at any age can obtain the smile they deserve. Dr. Phan will consult and detail a simple or comprehensive treatment plan to meet your goals. Don't forget that we are an aesthetic orthodontic office, so you have plenty of clear options whether you wish to use ceramic (clear) braces, Invisalign, SureSmile, or 3M Clarity Aligners.

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WHY DO SOME PEOPLE NEED JAW SURGERY?

Orthognathic surgery (also known as surgical orthodontics) is the method of treatment when braces alone cannot correct your specific skeletal problem. Whether the jaws didn't grow enough, or they grew too much, orthognathic surgery is recommended in these extreme cases.

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HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY BRACES AND KEEP MY TEETH CLEAN DURING TREATMENT?

It is important to avoid damaging your teeth and braces during treatment.  Chewing on ice and inedible things (like pens, pencils, shirts, sports mouth guards, and finger nails) should be avoided. When eating raw fruits and vegetables it is important to cut them into small pieces. To prevent damaging your braces certain foods should be avoided, including but not limited to the following:

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·         Hard foods such as pizza crust, hard rolls, pretzels, bagels, nuts, chips, croutons, hard candies.

·         Tough meats such as beef jerky and Slim Jims.

·         Sticky foods such as gum, licorice, Sugar Daddies, Tootsie Rolls, caramels, jelly beans and Starburst.

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In addition to taking care of your braces, we expect every patient to have clean teeth. That is why every orthodontic patient who starts comprehensive treatment receives a comprehensive Oral-B Embrace It hygiene kit, which includes an Oral-B Professional Series electric toothbrush.