Frequently Asked Questions

Am I Too Old for Braces?

Adult orthodontics is becoming increasingly popular. With new treatment options available, having a beautiful smile is easier than ever. So regardless of your age, if you’re not happy with your smile, come in and talk about with us.

Is My Child Too Young for Braces?

The American Association of Orthodontist recommends a child’s first visit for an orthodontic evaluation be at age 7. Often, treatment is not needed a this time, but rather it is to assure that the exfoliation and eruption of your baby teeth and adult teeth are happening correctly. In some instances, certain orthodontic problems may necessitate a Phase I treatment.

What is Orthodontics?

The treatment of irregularities in the teeth and jaws, including the use of braces and other intra and extraoral appliances. It is a recognized dental speciality according to the American Dental Association.

What Training Does My Orthodontist Have That is Different From My General Dentist?

Both your dentist and orthodontist attended 4 years of dental school to obtain there dental degree. As a dental specialist, Orthodontists require an extra 2-3 years of residency training focusing exclusively on the study of irregularities of the teeth and jaws and how to treat these irregularities.

How Long do Braces Take?

No two orthodontic cases are alike. Each person presents with their own unique orthodontic situation. For that reason it is impossible to estimate how long your treatment will take without a full evaluation by Dr. Chisari, considering all of your concerns and the problems at hand. He will discuss this with you at your initial visits.

Will Braces Interfere with Sports?

In most cases, braces do not interfere with playing sports. However, if you participate in a contact sport with the possibility of getting hit in your face, we recommend you were a mouth guard to not only protect your teeth, but help protect you cheeks and lips from laceration by the brackets as well. Talk with our staff for the best solution for you.

Will Braces Interfere with My Ability to Play a Musical Instrument?

Once you adapt to your new braces, you should be able to play your musical instrument just like you did before braces. Of course, it may take some additional practice initially as your mouth adjusts to the feeling a playing an instrument with braces on.

Should I See My Dentist While My Braces are On?

Absolutely! Regular dental visits are just as, if not more, important while your braces on to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. It is easy for food to get trapped around your brackets and it can be difficult to clean around them. Your hygienist can certainly help! Additionally, your dentist would like to see how your orthodontic progress is coming along.

Do I Need a Referral to Come to Your Office?

No referral is necessary, you can contact our office at any time to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Will Insurance Pay For My Orthodontic Treatment?

There is a lot of variability in dental insurance coverage. We encourage you to consult with Dr. Chisari to determine your orthodontic needs and our staff will help determine your insurance benefits and what portion may be covered.

Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Crowding of My Teeth?

There is some debate on this in the orthodontic literature. The short answer is that we are not exactly sure. While it makes logical sense that erupting wisdom teeth could push on other teeth and cause crowding, we see this same amount of crowding in people that don’t have wisdom teeth or have had wisdom teeth extracted. At your consultation, we can determine what impact, if any, your wisdom teeth have on your treatment.

Will My Teeth Become More Crowded and Shift as I Get Older?

We know that teeth tend to shift towards your dental midlines throughout your life. Teeth can shift as you age do to other reasons as well such as certain periodontal conditions. While it usually happens over several years, there is a possibility the crowding and shifting can worsen as you get older.

Will I Have to Have Teeth Extracted for Braces?

We take a very conservative approach to tooth extraction and we take it very seriously. We know that you do not want to lose any teeth if you don’t have to. Each case is different and sometimes extraction may be the best approach for the health of your teeth and gums.

How Often Will I Have to Come in for Tightenings?

In most cases every 4-8 weeks is the typical time frame. Occasionally during the finishing portion of your treatment, more frequent appointments may be needed as we focus on the details to make your smile just right.

Will I Have to Wear a Retainer?

Absolutely! A lot of hard work and money goes into creating incredible smiles. Initially a full time retainer wear will be needed. After time, Dr. Chisari will tell you when it is okay to cut back on your wear time. There are different retainer options available and we would be happy to discuss them with you.

What Can I Eat?

Foods to Avoid When Wearing Braces

For most situations, common sense will tell you what foods to avoid when wearing braces. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing, and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.