An orthodontist is a dentist who then received an additional 2-3 years of training to specialize in orthodontics, the diagnosis and treatment of facial and dental irregularities. All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. Additionally, some orthodontists choose to become Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, or board certified orthodontists. This means they voluntarily go through additional preparation and exams to demonstrate their knowledge and skill level to experts in the profession. Less than 30% of orthodontists become board certified orthodontists.

The cost of orthodontic treatment can vary based on a variety of factors including the severity of the problem to be treated and the anticipated length of treatment. How much you have to pay can also vary depending on whether or not you have dental insurance that covers orthodontic treatment. When you come to our office for a complimentary orthodontic consultation, Dr. Wood will evaluate your particular orthodontic needs and create a treatment plan for you. Then we can determine what the cost of your treatment will be. We do offer flexible payment options to make orthodontics more affordable.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist for an initial check by the age of 7. Most of the time, we won’t recommend treatment that early, but there are some kids who will benefit from early treatment. Usually when we do recommend early orthodontic care, it’s to address issues with the growth of the jaws or spacing issues that may be easier to correct at a young age.

No, there is no age limit for receiving orthodontic care. As long as your teeth and gums are in good health, we can move your teeth at any age. In fact, with the increasing popularity of more esthetic braces and clear aligners (such as Invisalign), we are seeing more and more adult patients seek treatment to improve their bites and smiles. Many of our patients are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s.

The biggest factor in ensuring your treatment goes as quickly as possible is patient participation, no matter the treatment modality. When you come to our office, we will work to create an individualized treatment plan that best suits your lifestyle and treatment goals. From there, we need your help to make sure the treatment goes smoothly and efficiently by taking excellent care of your teeth, keeping your scheduled appointments, and following all of our instructions. Orthodontics is truly a team effort!

The materials and technology for clear aligners has improved so much in the last several years, that in the right hands, almost any patient can be treated with clear aligners. In fact, there are some bite and alignment issues that can be treated more effectively with aligners than braces. Dr. Wood has extensive experience treating patients with clear aligners, and enjoys offering this esthetic option to patients. Even in situations where braces may be more effective than aligners, Dr. Wood will often offer to treat patients with a combination of braces and aligners to keep the balance between your treatment goals, esthetic concerns during treatment, and total treatment time.

Putting braces on does not hurt. It may feel strange, but it does not hurt. We do not have to get patients numb for orthodontic procedures (no needles!). Once your teeth begin to move, however, your teeth may become sore. This applies to clear aligners as well. We compare it to the muscle soreness you feel when you exercise for the first time in a long while. Usually the discomfort lasts for about a week after you have your braces put on or start wearing aligners for the first time, and it is easily managed with over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

The length of your orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of the problem being corrected. It can range from as little as six months to several years. When you come to our office for a consultation, we will take photos, X-rays and digital models of your teeth (no goopy impressions here!), and Dr. Wood will go over all of this information with you to create your treatment plan. She will also give you an estimate of how long your treatment should take. Remember, each patient’s mouth responds differently to treatment, so it is only an estimate.