7 Commonly Asked Orthodontic Questions

1. What is an orthodontist/orthodontic specialist?
To call oneself an orthodontist, one must complete 2-3 years of formal specialty training in orthodontics beyond dental school and limit practice scope to the specialty (ie. performing general dental work would disallow the designation of orthodontic specialist by Florida law).

2. What is the best age to begin orthodontic therapy?
There is NO "best" age for orthodontics as BOTH children and adults can be treated. However, the best initial time to be seen by an orthodontist is around 7 years of age. Most kids begin orthodontics between 11 and 13 years of age.

3. How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Depending on the complexity of the case, orthodontic treatment times vary from 1 to 3 years. For most people, treatment takes a little less than 2 years.

Before
After

4. Can you eat anything with braces?
No there are restrictions. You cannot eat hard, chewy, or sticky foods (ie. caramel, bubble gum, candy, popcorn, and nuts) because they easily get stuck in the braces and can lead to breakage of the appliances.

5. What is Phase I Treatment?
Phase I treatment is reserved for select patients who have moderate to severe crowding and/or improper jaw size or alignment where the problems are of such a significant nature that early orthodontic intervention is needed. Phase I
treatment is usually initiated at 7-8 years of age and lasts for approximately 1 year. Recent studies state that about 90% of patients who receive Phase I therapy will need Phase II to finalize dental alignment and the bite.

6. What are braces made of and how do they work?
They are made of stainless steel (silver braces) or ceramic (clear braces). “Color braces” are actually little rubber bands that hold the wire inside the braces. Braces work by putting light forces on teeth through the use of special wires and rubber bands that bring teeth into the right position.

7. What are retainers and who needs them?
Retainers are bonded or removable appliances given to all patients after orthodontic appliances have been removed to hold teeth in the corrected position. Long term studies show that teeth have a natural tendency to shift position throughout life and holding them in a straight position will take effort.

For more information, please visit our website at www.TringasOrthodontics.com. You may also wish to visit the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) website at www.braces.org.

written by Dr. Andrew Tringas
Windermere Orthodontist