FAQ
- What is Orthodontics?
- What is an Orthodontist?
- Why should I go to an Orthodontic Specialist?
- Is Orthodontic treatment necessary?
- Do I need to be referred to your office?
- At what age should I look for bad bite in my child?
- At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
- Who should come to the consult?
- Will jaw growth correct itself with age or as my child grows?
- Will my teeth straighten out as I grow?
- 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 be seen for 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 needles?
- 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 Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a division in dentistry, which specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities.
What is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a specialist who has completed an advanced education program following dental school to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development. An orthodontic residency is three additional years of training after dental school, a written thesis, and completion of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada Board exam to be recognized as a specialist in orthodontics.
Why should I go to an Orthodontic Specialist?
In the medical field there are specialties such as dermatology, cardiology etc., the same is true for dentistry. Orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on the movement of teeth, jaw positions and facial aesthetics as related to the teeth and jaws. Registered orthodontists have completed a comprehensive 3 year program in addition to their dental training. Their training has made them experts in aligning teeth, correcting and guiding jaw growth, keeping your teeth aligned after your braces come off and giving you the smile you deserve. Remember, most insurance plans only pay for braces once in a lifetime, so have it done right the first time. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.
Is Orthodontic treatment necessary?
Orthodontics can help correct many bite abnormalities and prevent the undesirable occurrences of tooth wear, jaw trauma and possibly the loss of teeth due to a traumatic bite and facial profile deficiencies. Without orthodontics these problems can become worse over time and in some circumstances lead to the loss of teeth and jaw joint (TMJ) problems.
Do I need to be referred to your office?
No, you do not. You may want to discuss your concerns with your general dentist first, but you can call or e-mail our office directly to schedule an initial consultation appointment.
At what age should I look for bad bite in my child?
You should carefully watch your child's mouth as permanent teeth come in.
Every child develops and matures at a different rate, however there are some developmental averages.
Things to watch out for include:
- Premature loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing
- Teeth that are not contacting
- Biting of the cheek
- Wrong bite (under bites, over bites etc.)
- Finger or pacifier habits continued beyond the age of 6
- Jaw noises such as clicking and popping that cause discomfort
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. At this age children generally have enough adult teeth grown in and enough jaw growth has occurred to identify problems. An early screening appointment can help the orthodontist determine when treatment should start. Many parents and dentists believe that a child should have all of their permanent teeth before seeing an orthodontist. But in fact there are some cases where early intervention of your child's bite is called for. In some cases ideal outcomes are unattainable without more drastic measures once the face and jaws have stopped growing.
Who should come to the consult?
Besides the patient, any and all parents/guardians who are going to be involved in the decision making process should come to the consult.
Will jaw growth correct itself with age or as my child grows?
The answer is No. Unfortunately there is no more room for the front teeth after the first permanent molars erupt at around the age of 6.
Will my teeth straighten out as I grow?
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.
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. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you.
What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, you will be greeted by our Treatment Coordinator, who will acclimate you to our office.
We will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. Dr. Nizam will then complete a comprehensive orthodontic examination.
To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit page.
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 are the options to correct the problem?
- Is there a possibility that teeth need to be removed?
- Approximately how long will the treatment take to complete?
- What is the fee range for this specific type of treatment?
Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. Long term health of the teeth, gums and supporting structures may require removal of permanent teeth.
How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The "average" time a person is in braces is approximately 24 months.
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 completed an orthodontic examination.
We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the Final Consultation.
Orthodontic treatment costs for the majority of cases can vary anywhere from $3000 to $9000 depending on the case.
Also, most insurance companies now offer some type of coverage for orthodontic treatment.
We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you.
To read more about financing options and insurance, see our Financial Information page.
How often will I be seen for appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every four to eight weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 8 weeks apart, most patients will miss a minimal amount of school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
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. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent. We will attempt to keep you updated regarding your child's orthodontic treatment progress if you are present for the appointment.
Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all!
Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
Do you give needles?
No. Needles are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.
Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once the treatment begins, we will provide you with complete instructions and a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least three times each day - after breakfast, after dinner, and before going to bed. We will also teach each patient how to floss their teeth with braces which should be performed once a day.
What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.
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 dental development until the appropriate time for treatment.
403.457.7700 30 Springborough Blvd SW, Suite 245
Calgary, AB T3H 0N9
Tel: 403.457.7700
Fax: 403.457.4300
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday: Admin Day
(8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
