Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Orthodontics?
2. Why choose an orthodontist to straighten my teeth?
3. What is a board certified orthodontist? Aren’t all orthodontists board certified?
4. Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
5. Are braces necessary?
6. When should I look for orthodontic problems in my children?
7. When is the best time to see the orthodontist? Do all the permanent teeth need to be in?
8. Who should we bring to our initial consultation?
9. What type of information will I receive at the consultation?
10. What are the benefits of early treatment?
11. How do braces give me straight teeth?
12. Can I straighten my teeth without braces and wires?
13. I’m not a candidate for Invisalign – what can I do?
14. What are Damon braces?
15. What is “instant orthodontics”?
16. Can I get my teeth bleached/ whitened with braces?
17. What are rubber bands?
18. I have TMJ/TMD and am hoping orthodontics will cure me…
19. Am I too old? Nobody my age has braces.
20. What foods should I avoid with braces?
21. How do I clean the braces? Do I need a special toothbrush?
22. How long will I be in braces?
23. If my child has Phase I – is there a Phase II?
24. Do I need to have teeth pulled?
25. How long do I have to wear my retainers?
26. What types of retainers are there?
27. Are braces expensive?
28. How does insurance work?
29. What about sterilization?
1. What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a section of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
2. Why choose an orthodontist to straighten my teeth?
Just as there are specialists in medicine (such as cardiologists, obstetricians, dermatologists etc.), there are specialists in dentistry. There is a difference between an orthodontist and a dentist who does a few orthodontic procedures.
Orthodontists are trained dentists, who after graduating from dental school, continue on in additional full-time university-based education in an accredited orthodontic residency program supervised by orthodontists. That intensive training lasts 2-3 years and is solely focused on orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. By learning about tooth movement (orthodontics) and guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics), orthodontists are the uniquely qualified experts in dentistry to straighten teeth and align jaws.
An orthodontic specialist is an expert on moving teeth and helping jaws develop properly. Orthodontists completely limit their practice to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics to assure you that you are receiving the highest quality care. The majority of orthodontic insurances only pay for braces once in a lifetime. Have an orthodontic specialist do it right the first time!
3. What is a board certified orthodontist? Aren’t all orthodontists board certified?
A board certified orthodontist has finished a graduate program in the specialty of orthodontics that is accredited by the American Dental Association. Graduation from an accredited orthodontic specialty program makes the orthodontist eligible to become board certified through the voluntary examination procedure of The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). The ABO is the only certifying board recognized by the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association. Taking part in the certification process is a display of the orthodontist's quest of continued proficiency and excellence.
The certification procedure involves a comprehensive Written Examination covering all facets of orthodontics and facial growth. Successful completion permits the orthodontist to show treated cases to a Board of expert examiners. Upon successful completion of case presentations and oral examination, the orthodontist becomes a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and can then identify themselves as board certified. Only 38% of orthodontists in the United States and Canada are board certified. Both Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn are proud to be board certified orthodontists.
4. Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
Absolutely not!! Unlike medical insurance, you do not need a referral from your general dentist. You can make an appointment for a complimentary exam without any worries. We love to meet new patients. If you are new to the area and looking for a dentist, we would also be glad to give you suggestions.
5. Are braces necessary?
No. But, properly aligned teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak. Properly aligned teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Properly aligned jaws and teeth may alleviate or prevent physical health problems. Teeth that function better also tend to look better. A beautiful smile is a pleasant “side effect” of orthodontic treatment. A beautiful smile is an amazing asset. It plays a part in self-image, self-confidence and self-esteem—important qualities at every age. A pleasing appearance is a critical part of self-confidence. A person's self-esteem frequently gets better as orthodontic treatment brings teeth, lips and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve a person’s general attitude toward life.
6. When should I look for orthodontic problems in my children?
As soon as their permanent teeth start to come in, you can start to look for developing orthodontic problems. Here are some signs that may be a sign of the need for an orthodontic evaluation:
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting
Crowded or blocked out teeth
Teeth that do not meet at all
Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion with the rest of the face
Habits (like thumb sucking) continued after the permanent incisors come in
Upper teeth that “stick out”
If your child is particularly self-conscious of his/her smile
Of course, you can always call Dunn Orthodontics for a free examination so Drs. Courtney and Matthew Dunn can check for potential problems for you.
7. When is the best time to see the orthodontist? Do all the permanent teeth need to be in?
The American Association of Orthodontists suggests that all children have their first orthodontic screening by age 7. Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn are trained to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth even while baby teeth are present. 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 supervise the development and growth of your child every 9-12 months until he/she is ready for comprehensive treatment.
Remember – there is no age limit for orthodontics!! At Dunn Orthodontics, we enjoy treating adults as well as children.
8. Who should we bring to our initial consultation?
If possible, all decision makers should come to the initial consultation appointment. This provides everybody the chance to ask questions and completely understand the treatment plan. We can also better explain our treatment findings and solutions by using visual aids. If everyone is unable to come, we are always accessible to answer questions via telephone.
9. What type of information will I receive at the consultation?
During the first appointment Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn will:
Welcome you to the office
Review your health history
Do a complete orthodontic exam
Summarize your unique orthodontic issues
Explain the possibilities for correction
Identify the best time to start orthodontic treatment
Approximate how long treatment will last and how much your insurance will cover
We strive for a very friendly, open and compassionate environment in the office. We welcome you to ask questions throughout the exam. We would like you to feel confident and informed when you leave the office.
10. What are the benefits of early treatment?
Some advantages of early orthodontics include:
Prevent damaging habits
Lessen risk of injury to protruded front teeth
Improve appearance and self-esteem
Correction of problems that lead to unfavorable growth issues
Direct eruption of permanent teeth.
For each patient who needs orthodontic treatment, there is an ideal time for it to start in order to accomplish the best result. Dunn Orthodontics would love to help you figure out when orthodontic treatment is right for your child.
11. How do braces give me straight teeth?
Braces use gentle force to shift the teeth into the optimal location. The braces have a prescription built into the bracket that has the ideal torque, tip and place for each tooth. The wire that we use has the “ideal” form of where your teeth should be. By threading the wire into the braces, the prescription is expressed and the wire tries to go back to its original shape. Both of these pressures cause the tooth to shift in the bone.
Bone is a very dynamic living tissue. The pressure from the brackets and wires causes the bone to resorb to create room for the tooth in the correct place. At the same time it fills in bone where the tooth was before.
It sounds very complex, but with new wires and technology it is more comfortable than ever.
12. Can I straighten my teeth without braces and wires?
Absolutely. There are numerous people that are candidates for Invisalign. Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn are Invisalign certified and have been learning about and incorporating this technology since their orthodontic residency. This is a system to utilize a progression of removable invisible aligners to straighten the teeth without braces or wires. This sophisticated technology does not correct all bite problems and candidates for Invisalign should be screened carefully.
We recommend you to select a provider with formal orthodontic training who can adjust your Invisalign treatment accordingly if things do not go as planned. Many patients can finish Invisalign treatment with only aligners. Some patients will achieve a better result with a combination of a short phase of traditional braces to address problems that are too challenging for aligners and the bulk of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners undetectable to the human eye. An orthodontist has the training to offer you many choices for your optimal outcome.
If you are not a candidate for Invisalign, we offer clear braces which are considerably less noticeable and a fashionable alternative for adults and teens alike!
13. I’m not a candidate for Invisalign – what can I do?
We suggest ceramic (clear) braces that are much less obvious. From a distance, most people will not notice them or think you are just wearing a retainer. The technology is progressing at a great pace to make wires less perceptible as well. Many celebrities such as Fantasia have worn the ceramic brackets instead of Invisalign.
14. What are Damon braces?
Damon braces otherwise known as the Damon System is simply one of 30+ brands of self-ligating braces. Other commonly used brands of self-ligating braces include In-Ovation, Smart Clip, Time3, Vision LP, and Speed. Unlike traditional brackets, these braces have a built-in mechanism to hold the wire in position. Since elastic ties are not used, you cannot select various colors with these brackets. Years ago it was believed that self-ligating brackets resulted in less discomfort and shorter treatment times (less time in braces). Unfortunately, orthodontic studies have shown this to simply NOT be true. While self-ligating brackets are still used by many orthodontists for a variety of reasons, studies have shown them to work no better or worse than conventional braces.
15. What is “instant orthodontics”?
“Instant orthodontics” has absolutely nothing to do with orthodontics since no teeth are in fact moved. “Instant orthodontics” is the process of placing veneers and crowns over the crooked teeth to make them look aligned from the front. The actual teeth and roots are never actually aligned. This process is not carried out by an orthodontist but rather by a general/ cosmetic dentist. Considering that “instant orthodontics” irreversibly damages the teeth and may prevent you from ever having real orthodontic treatment in the future; it is not a choice to be made lightly. While it is generally well established that these procedures are not recommended for kids, leading cosmetic dentists have even begun to question the ethical implications of performing such procedures in adults given the necessity of replacing crowns and veneers every 5-10 years resulting in removal of even more tooth structure.
In addition, be cautious of the dentist you select for such a process. Cosmetic dentistry is not an officially recognized specialty and therefore a dentist does not need any additional training to call themselves a cosmetic dentist.
16. Can I get my teeth bleached/ whitened with braces?
No. You can, however, whiten your teeth before you get braces or when you are completed with braces.
17. What are rubber bands?
Rubber bands are a very important component of treatment. These are removable elastics that facilitate getting the upper and lower teeth to fit in an optimum location. Brackets by themselves cannot move your teeth without the continuous force of the rubber bands directing them into position. It is essential you wear your elastics as instructed. If you don’t wear the elastics, orthodontic treatment will require more time and you will likely end up with a compromised outcome. The majority of people only need to wear elastics for 6 months of their overall orthodontic treatment time. Isn’t it worth it for the smile of your dreams?
18. I have TMJ/TMD and am hoping orthodontics will cure me…
There is no evidence to prove that orthodontics will alleviate or initiate TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders). It is important to have your jaw evaluated by a TMJ/TMD specialist first. After your jaw issues are under control, we would be happy to work on your smile and bite.
19. Am I too old? Nobody my age has braces.
There is absolutely no age limit to orthodontic treatment. As long as your teeth, gingival and adjacent bone are healthy there is nothing preventing you! You might be astonished to know that 1 in 5 orthodontic patients is an adult. There are roughly 1,000,000 adults in orthodontic treatment right now.
20. What foods should I avoid with braces?
We request that you stay away from crunchy, sticky, chewy, hard and high sugar foods. These foods can get caught on the braces, bend archwires, pull off brackets and bands and produce permanent white marks on your teeth. You can still eat a lot of the same foods, but you may need to change the way you eat them. Cutting things up into small pieces and primarily using your back teeth is a good strategy.
21. How do I clean the braces? Do I need a special toothbrush?
Our motto is “the best toothbrush is the one that gets used”. For the most part, there is no need to use a special toothbrush, but you do need to spend more time cleaning your teeth, brackets and gums. In addition, we suggest that every patient uses a fluoride based mouth rinse before bed. We will discuss flossing and brushing when you get your braces and we will always be available for instructions and suggestions when needed.
22. How long will I be in braces?
This will differ from patient to patient and the orthodontist’s treatment estimate is precisely that – an estimate. The national average is 24-28 months, but orthodontic treatment can last anywhere from 9-36 months depending on the severity of the problem and the compliance of the patient. One should not select an orthodontist based on the estimated treatment time. Several orthodontists will underestimate treatment times just to gain you as a patient.
23. If my child has Phase I – is there a Phase II?
The vast majority of (~90%) children who go through a Phase I treatment still need a second phase of orthodontic treatment. Studies have shown that children who have Phase I orthodontic treatment do not have a shorter or less difficult second phase of orthodontic treatment. There will be situations where Phase I orthodontic treatment is recommended to help prevent more severe problems. If there is any question, bring your child in for a consultation.
24. Do I need to have teeth pulled?
With advances in technology, the need for removal of adult teeth has been significantly reduced. In certain situations, however, extraction of adult teeth is still necessary to provide the most ideal dental and facial esthetics. In situations where removing teeth is required the spaces will be closed and no one will ever know you had them removed.
25. How long do I have to wear my retainers?
Studies have shown that teeth shift over time with or without braces. No treatment is 100% stable. This is why retainers are a lifetime commitment. We will recommend you to wear your retainers full time (24/7) for the first 6 months, every night for two years and then at least three nights a week for life.
26. What types of retainers are there?
There are many designs of retainers. It is important for Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn to look at your case and give you their recommendations for what is best for you. Of course, we also want your input. By and large there are four designs of retainers:
Invisible retainers (clear trays that cover the teeth)
Hawley retainers (plastic and wire retainers)
Permanent retainers (glued to the inside of the teeth)
Positioners (looks like an upper and lower mouthguard glued together)
27. Are braces expensive?
Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as many other consumer products. The treatment fee will vary depending on the severity of the situation. Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn will work with you to create a financial arrangement that works best for you. Dunn Orthodontics offers interest free financing as well as sibling and military discounts. The average monthly payments may be less than you think. We do not want finances to get in the way of the smile of your dreams.
28. How does insurance work?
We accept almost all orthodontic insurances – we can file with any PPO plan. Do not be fooled by outdated internet provider lists. Contact our front desk and we can look up your insurance benefits before your first appointment. Usually your insurance will pay a portion of the fee and you will be responsible for the balance. We are happy to work with your insurance companies to maximize your benefit.
29. What about sterilization?
Our patient’s safety, health and peace of mind are very important to us. Therefore, we use state-of-the-art sterilization techniques for all of our surfaces and equipment. Our staff is OSHA trained and abides by all guidelines. If you have any questions about our procedures, please ask.
If you have additional questions about our office or orthodontics in general, call the Dunn Orthodontics office closest you and schedule your orthodontic exam and consultation today.
Litchfield Park Office
5220 N. Dysart Rd #150
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
TEL: 623.536.4939
FAX: 623.536.4877
Phoenix Office
7550 N. 19th Ave #101
Phoenix, AZ 85021
TEL: 602.864.0004
FAX: 602.864.0070
