Orthodontic FAQs

While we always appreciate and welcome referrals from dentists, you’re not required to have one before you visit us. You can schedule a free consultation right here online or by giving us a call at Bellaire or West Houston. However, we do recommend that you have a family dentist and continue to see them regularly during treatment. Don’t have a dentist? No problem. We can recommend a great one to you!

An orthodontist completes dental school and then receive two to three more years of training in an orthodontic residency program. They’re specialists in preventing, diagnosing and treating malocclusions, which are issues with the alignment, positioning or spacing of the teeth and jaws. Since orthodontic treatment brings about permanent changes in your smile and facial structure, it’s important to visit a certified specialist in orthodontics to receive care. They have the experience and knowledge to give you functional, beautiful results safely and effectively.

Yes and, sometimes, it’s actually the ideal time to begin treatment. In certain cases, early treatment while a child is still growing and has primary teeth means avoiding complicated surgeries or tooth extractions later in life. That’s why it’s best for kids to have an orthodontic evaluation by the time they’re seven years old.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids see an orthodontist for the first time by the age of seven. If they don’t need treatment, we’ll simply monitor them until the time is right to kick off the teeth-straightening process and they’ll gain membership in our awesome Kids’ Club. These early visits are complimentary. If we spot certain red flags and treatment is indicated, addressing it early while a child is still growing will bring about the most stable, dramatic results without the need for surgery or extractions.

This depends on your individual case. However, most of the time, we can avoid extractions thanks to the technology we use at our office.

We do! We know how busy you are and we work hard to accommodate your needs and schedule. There will be times, however, when you’ll have to visit us during the day. In those instances, we’ll be more than happy to provide a doctor’s note for school or work if you need one.

Yes. Parents can drop off their children but we ask that you come in and chat with us when you pick your child up from the appointment. This way, we can make sure you’re in the loop regarding treatment and that your kiddo has the support they need to be successful!

After we get you settled in, we’ll review your charts to see what’s planned for the visit and go over everything with you. Your Bellaire or Houston orthodontist will always be consulted before any treatment is completed and they’ll see you before the appointment is finished at each and every visit.

Appointments where appliances are placed or repositioned can take up to an hour and a half. For the rest of your visits, we typically get you in and out in 20 to 30 minutes. We use the latest technology at our practice, so you’ll spend less time in the orthodontist’s chair and more time doing the things you love.

When a young patient comes in who will need orthodontic treatment in the future but isn’t ready just yet, we place them in our growth guidance program and they become a member of our super exciting Kids’ Club! With this program, we have the patient visit us periodically, allowing us to monitor his or her progress and catch the perfect moment for starting treatment. These appointments are completely free of charge!

We’re well aware that things come up sometimes. Please give us a call as soon as possible at one of our offices if you have a change in schedule. Even if we’re closed, we ask that you leave a message. We’ll reschedule you at your earliest convenience. Please keep in mind that delayed treatment means delayed results!

True emergencies are rare in the world of orthodontics. If something is bothering you or causing you pain, call our 24-hour line and we’ll help you as soon as possible. Check out these tips for handling braces emergencies.

• Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, reducing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
• When teeth are properly aligned, it prevents the erosion and uneven wear of the enamel.
• Aligning the jaws can help alleviate teeth grinding, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, headaches and migraines.
• It improves your ability to breathe, chew and speak.
• Creating ideal spacing reduces jaw bone loss, which, in turn, helps you avoid tooth loss and pain.
• We can create facial symmetry and enhance your appearance.
• Having a beautiful smile will give you a huge boost in confidence that carries over into all aspects of your life!