- Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lieber?
No, you do not. Family dentists do refer many of our patients, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.
- At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation?
If you are worried or concerned about your child’s bite or esthetics, we welcome your call at any age. Otherwise, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation at approximately age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate the orthodontic condition.
- Is it too late to have my teeth straightened if I am an adult?
Many of our patients are adults. In fact, recent statistics show that nationwide at least 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!
- Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth. And not only that – orthodontic treatment can make is easier to replace missing teeth or even eliminate the need to do so by closing spaces that are present because of missing teeth.
- What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® is a series of clear aligners manufactured to move teeth according to our prescription. This allows patients to have the benefits of orthodontic treatment without traditional braces. For more information about Invisalign®, please click through from the bottom of any page.
- Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist who is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics?
It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables us to provide our patients with professional, personalized treatments. All we do is orthodontics. You can learn more about the American Board of Orthodontics by clicking through on the logo at the bottom of any page.
- Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
Usually not. The space available for the front teeth does not predictably increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.
- How do I schedule an appointment for an initial evaluation?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, please call our office, send us an email or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you.
- What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arrival, you will meet Liza, our Scheduling Coordinator and be greeted by Val, our Treatment Coordinator. She will introduce you to our practice and prepare for the initial exam. She will take any necessary photographs to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. Dr. Lieber will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam.
To read more about your first visit, see our
First Visit Page.
- What will I learn from the initial examination?
There are three essential questions that we will try to cover during the initial examination:
- Do you (or your child) need orthodontic treatment?
- How long will the treatment take to complete?
- How much will the treatment cost?
- Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
The goals of orthodontic treatment include straight teeth, a good bite and a balanced facial profile. Extractions are sometimes required to achieve these objectives and the best orthodontic result. However, our procedures are constantly changing in response to new technologies and tooth removal is less common today than in the past.
- How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 18 to 28 months.
- How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will discuss cost and financial options with you during your initial examination. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.
- How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 6 to 12 weeks. This will vary depending upon the stage of treatment. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
- Can I schedule all of my appointments after school or work?
We cannot schedule all appointments during after-school or after-work hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 6 to 12 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school or work time due to their orthodontic treatments. We do promise, however, to make every effort to meet your scheduling needs.
- Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes.
- Do braces hurt?
This does vary with different people. Although we now use high-tech wires that have extremely low force levels, your teeth may be sore for a few days as you get used to the braces. There is no need to suffer and the best thing to take for this kind of soreness is ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin or similar), naproxen (Aleve) or aspirin – before your appointment. If you cannot take either aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, acetaminophen (Tylenol or similar) is second choice but is not as effective as the other medications for this type of soreness.
- Can I return to school or work the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason not to return to school or work the day you get your braces.
- Do you use recycled braces?
Never have, never will.
- Can I still play sports?
Yes. Actually, braces can protect teeth from damage – although they will come loose if hit. We are happy to provide a mouthguard for sports, as appropriate.
- Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Absolutely! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your dentist will determine appropriate intervals between cleaning appointments for you while you are in braces. We will, of course, alert you if we notice something that might require a special visit to your dentist.
- Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes and no. You don’t want to chew things in a way that will break the braces, bend the wires or pull the bands off. I am sure that people have successfully eaten most anything while wearing braces and have not had problems. It is not so much “what you eat” as “how you eat it.” We will discuss this further when appropriate.
- How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Orthodontic patients should brush their teeth as often as necessary to keep them clean – probably after each meal and before going to bed. Before bed, an especially thorough brushing and use of a fluoride rinse is appropriate.
- What if I need a special appointment? How are those handled?
If you have any question about your braces or if something breaks, please call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you do require a special appointment, we will set aside time for you.
- Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require very early intervention, but this is not common. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.
- What is phase one (interceptive) treatment?
Phase one treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated between the ages of 7 and 10 and after the four upper and the four lower front teeth are in the mouth. This interceptive treatment lasts about 12-21 months. The objectives for this treatment are to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe, to manage the space transitions from baby to permanent teeth, to lessen the need for extractions and to improve the esthetics of the front teeth.
- Will my child need full braces if he/she has interceptive treatment?
Most likely, yes. It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after phase one treatment. The period following phase one treatment is called a "supervision period" during which growth and tooth eruptions are monitored. Most commonly, the remaining permanent teeth that erupt do not come in perfectly and a second phase of treatment is necessary to achieve your goals. This second phase, however, is less likely to require extractions and should be shorter than it would have been without the interceptive phase one treatment.
