- Is it necessary that my family Dentist refer me to Dr. Brewka's?
- At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
- Will my teeth straighten out as they erupt?
- How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
- What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
- What will I learn from the initial examination?
- Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
- How long will it take to complete treatment?
- How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
- How often will I have appointments?
- Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
- Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
- Do braces hurt?
- Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
- Do you give shots?
- Do you use recycled braces?
- Can I still play sports?
- Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
- Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
- How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
- What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
- Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
- What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
- Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
- Will my child need an expander?
- Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
- Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
- Why should you choose a certifed orthodontic specialist?
- Are all braces the same?
- How long deos treatment last?
1. Is it necessary that my family Dentist refer me to Dr. Brewk'a?
No. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves. If you need a family dentist or other specialist, please click on the link called "Referrals" or "Friends of the Practice". We work with all the top Doctors in this area and can recommend a "match" for your needs.
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2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.We recommend bringing children to see Dr. Brewka at age seven for an early check-up. There is no charge for this visit. Please note that we do see children with severely crowded problems as well as developmental (i.e. cleft palate, cross bites, under bites, thumb sucking) problems earlier. We also have a "Thumb-Suckers Anonymous" Club (age 5-7) for little thumb suckers who wish to have help in stopping this habit. The "Thumb-Suckers Anonymous" Club is in Adobe Acrobat® PDF format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader® installed, you can download it now.
What to watch for:
The growth in a child's mouth is done by age 8 1/2 or 9 years old. As they age their face will mature and they will get more chin but not tooth space. Things you would look for are crowded teeth or major gaps between teeth and turned or protruding teeth are the most common warning signs that a person might need orthodontic treatment. But sometimes the need for braces isn't that obvious. When teeth don't come together properly they can wear unevenly causing chronic pain in the jaw joint and distortion or instability of the bite. Malfunctions of the jaw joint can also be signaled by chronic pain of the head, shoulder, and/or neck, ringing in the ears or dizziness. Dr. Brewka is professionally trained in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.
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3. Will my teeth straighten out as they erupt?
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age. Braces can help enhance a person's appearance, which can improve their self-esteem and confidence. By putting teeth into proper alignment, treatment can also help relieve some types of dental or facial pain and improve oral health, which can prevent future tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss. The most important is the bite is for form and function and your bonus is a beautiful smile
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4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail or fill out or appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule your complimentary appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.
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5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen Dr. Brewka and the Treatment Coordinator who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. Dr. Brewka will do a comprehensive exam and present treatment. The Treatment Coordinator will review the treatment plan, present a fee and offer convenient in-house financing and explain insurance and flex or tax-defer. To read more about your
first visit, see our First Visit Page.
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6. What will I learn from the Initial Examination?
There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
· Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
· What must be done to correct the problem?
· Will any teeth need to be removed?
· How long will the treatment take to complete?
· How much will the treatment cost?
Orthodontics is well below inflation prices. We offer in-house financing with several payment plans that makes it very affordable. That, plus insurance coverage, can make braces or aligners a lot less costly than you might imagine. When you consider all the long-term benefits of orthodontics, it's a very wise investment to make. Back to top
7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
Removing teeth is seldom required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is seldom necessary at Dr. Brewka's office.
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8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. The "average" time frame a person is in full braces is approximately 12-18 months.
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9. 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 cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have several 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.
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10. 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 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent appointments, we will schedule accordingly. Back to top
11. Can I schedule all of my appointments late afternoon?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all students or working adults appointments from 3pm-5pm. However, because most appointments are scheduled 6 to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school or workdue to their orthodontic treatments. We also start our day at 7;30am which may help. We will make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs, especially to those who travel long distances (1-8 hours driving one way).
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12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. We prefer parents come to the clinic with their child at every visit but know that sometimes this is not possible. If you need to drop your child off, please check in with the rceptionist before just dropping off their child to make sure the Doctor or clinical assistant do not need to speak to you before we begin.
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13. Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After your visits teeth will be sore for a few days. In these situations, Advil (Ibuprophen) will ease the discomfort. We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!” Today's braces are definitely designed with patient comfort in mind. The brackets are small with curved rounded edges that are less likely to irritate the cheeks and tongue. Also, the archwires, which actually does the work of aligning the teeth, exert soft and gentle forces that are less likely to cause discomfort. There's always an adjustment period when braces first go on, but any tenderness usually passes in a couple days. Back to top
14. Can I return to school or work the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school or work due to any orthodontic appointment. Make sure you have softer foods available for the first couple days of your brand new braces.
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15. Do you give shots?
No. There are no shots in our office. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
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16. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own personal braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
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17. Can I still play sports and musical instruments?
Yes. We recommend a special orthodontic mouth guard for all sports (in team colors). We supply these at no charge. Our adult and child patients may have to adjust slightly to musical instruments where the lips are needed to play. Many youth patients still make first chair with braces.
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18. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Please see your dentist twice a year to have their teeth checked and cleaned. We ask that you coordinate these appointments with our office so thay we may remove your wires for the best cleaning. We will also need to coordinate an appointment to come back right away to "put you back together".
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19. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky, chewy, hard and crunchy foods(i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
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20. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least 4 times each day. Brush after breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bedtime. We will show each patient how to properly brush and floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.
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21. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your braces are causing extreme pain, you should call our office. If you have a poking wire or loose bracket, please call us to fix it. If you have a true emergency, call the office. If it is after hours, call the office and listen to the recording. You will be given Dr. Brewka's cell phone number and our Clinical Coordinator's pager number.
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22. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. 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. Sometimes we place in interceptive holdling appliance at age 7 so things don't get worse. This is part of our Kidz Klub program.
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23. What is Phase One (Early) Treatment?
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment usually lasts about 18-24 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems, prevent them from becoming the most severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image, This is also a time where the facial bones are very soft, much easier on the patient and least tender. We also catch the more cooperative years.
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24. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
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 the "resting period," during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations. Dr. Brewka believes in early interceptive treatment. The two-phase orthodontic/orthopedic treatment is a very specialized process that encompasses jaw and facial changes (orthopedics) and tooth straightening (orthodontics). The emphasis today on living longer, staying healthy and looking attractive requires optimum treatment results. The major advantage of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to take advantage of growth while the bones are soft and accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, aesthetic and comfortable result that will remain stable. The disadvantage of waiting for complete eruption of the permanent teeth and having only one phase of treatment is the possibility of a compromised result that may not be functionally healthy or stable and may require preventable adult tooth extraction or jaw surgery. Back to top
25. Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, Dr. Brewka will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
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26. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 30-40 percent of all Dr. Brewka's orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces! There are many options that allow treatment with clear removable and clear non-removable braces.
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27. 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.
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28. Why should you choose a certified orthodontic specialist?
Teeth and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Certified Orthodontic specialists have extensive training two more years after dental school that enables them to provide their patients with specialized orthodontic treatment.
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29. Are all braces the same?
Braces are smaller and less noticeable today than they were 20 years ago when clunky silver bands that wrap around each tooth. Dr. Brewka offers clear, silver or invisable braces. The clear braces are barely noticeable when placed on your teeth. Dr. Brewka can now treat most adults and adolescents with all their permanent teeth with Invisalign - a clear and braceless way to move teeth. Ask our staff about Invisalign or check out the Invisalign tab on this site to learn more. Dr. Brewka can tell you what type of treatment will work best for you.
30. How long does treatment last? Every case is unique so there is no hard and fast rule. Often, overall treatment time for young patients can be shortened by using special appliances other than braces before their permanent teeth are in. A good rule of thumb for most teenagers and adults is 12-18 months. Ask Dr. Brewka about SureSmile wires that are heat sensitive that shorten treatment time without root resorption.