Pre-Treatment Questions

What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion," which means "bad bite."

What makes an orthodontist different than a dentist?

All orthodontists are dentists, but only about 6 percent of dentists are orthodontists. An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists must first attend college, and then complete a four-year dental graduate program at a university dental school or other institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA). They must then successfully complete an additional two- to three-year residency program of advanced education in orthodontics. This residency program must also be accredited by the ADA. Through this training, the orthodontist learns the skills required to manage tooth movement (orthodontics) and guide facial development (dentofacial orthopedics). Only dentists who have successfully completed this advanced specialty education may call themselves orthodontists.

How can I be sure an orthodontist is ‘right’ for us?

An orthodontist is the best place to get advice regarding jaw growth and tooth movement.  Treatment options associated with altering jaw growth and tooth movement will be provided to you at Kristo Orthodontics.  If you would still like to compare your comfort level with another orthodontic office, or simply hear another orthodontist’s assessment of your child’s problem, arrange for a second opinion.  You may have already had more than one orthodontist recommended to you by family, friends, your dentist, or the AAO’s referral service.  Seeking out a member of the AAO assures that your second opinion is from an educationally qualified orthodontic specialist.  You should feel confident in the orthodontist and his or her staff, and trust their ability to provide you the care and lifetime orthodontic value you seek. 

Why is orthodontic treatment important?

The value of an attractive smile and the increased self-esteem it results in should not be underestimated. A pleasing appearance is a vital asset to a person’s self-confidence. A person's self-esteem often improves as treatment brings teeth, lips and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve one’s general attitude toward life.

Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This may contribute to conditions that cause not only tooth decay but also gum disease and tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function resulting in digestive problems, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints which can result in chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck.

When left untreated, many orthodontic problems become worse. Treatment by a specialist to correct the original problem is often less costly than the additional dental and/or health care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years.

At what age should I schedule an appointment for orthodontic screening?

The American Association of Orthodontists www.braces.org recommends an orthodontic screening no later than age 7. By this age, the six-year molars and several permanent teeth have erupted, allowing the doctor to effectively evaluate potential orthodontic problems. At Kristo Orthodontics we provide these early screenings as a complimentary community service.  There is no charge for the New Patient examination, panorex x-rays, or recall visits.  (If additional records and extensive consultation are recommended, charges may be incurred.)

Why evaluate at such an early age?

Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected earlier than waiting until jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may result in shorter less complex treatment, or help a patient avoid the need for surgery later in life.

Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?

A surprising percentage of our patients are adults, especially in light of advanced technological treatment appliances such as Invisalign. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults, and because healthy teeth can be moved at any age, an orthodontist can improve the smile of practically anyone. No patient is “too old” to wear braces!

How is adult treatment different from that of children and adolescents?

Adults are no longer growing and they may also have experienced some breakdown or loss of teeth and bone that supports teeth. Adults are also more likely to have worn, damaged or missing teeth. Orthodontic treatment may then be only a part of the patient’s overall treatment plan. The orthodontist, an oral surgeon, the family dentist, a periodontist, and/or an endodontist may need to work in close coordination to achieve the best treatment results.

Am I required to have a referral from our general dentist to schedule an initial examination?

Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, many of our patients, because they have expressed concern about their dental health and appearance, have been referred by their family & friends. We encourage families to take charge of their orthodontic future and refer themselves for an evaluation.

What will happen at the initial examination?

The patient and parent(s) will be greeted by one of our New Patient Coordinators who will review the Patient Health History form and take a panorex x-ray.  You will then meet Dr. Kristo, who will take the time to answer any questions a patient or parent may have.  He will perform a brief but thorough exam to review the panorex and help answer some of the most commonly asked questions

• Is there evidence and/or probability of an orthodontic problem?
• Is there anything that should be done at this time to correct or prevent a problem, or is it still too early?  
• If nothing needs to be done right now, what is the likelihood treatment will be needed in the future, and what might that involve?  Will any teeth need to be removed?  How long will the treatment take to complete?  How much will the treatment cost?

In some instances, additional records may be recommended to further study the patient’s case and develop the most comprehensive treatment options.  If scheduling allows and it is more convenient for you, these records can be obtained at this initial visit to save an additional trip. 

Is there a fee for the initial examination?

There is no fee for the initial examination.  At this visit, a complimentary panoramic X-ray will also be taken if recommended by Dr. Kristo.  (Charges may occur if records in addition to the panorex X-ray are obtained during this visit.)

Because early orthodontic evaluation is so strongly encouraged, most orthodontists will provide an initial examination and brief consultation free of charge.  Should it be determined the time is not yet right for active treatment, Dr. Kristo will continue to monitor young children on a yearly or semi-annual basis.  Sometimes he eventually determines no treatment is ever necessary…..and never charges a thing! 

How do I schedule an appointment for an initial examination?

Simply call our office and we will be happy to schedule an appointment for you!  Or you may click Request an Appointment now.

What is First Phase treatment?

First Phase treatment, when needed, is usually started between the ages of 7 and 10.  First-phase treatment typically takes about 12 months.  There are several primary objectives for First Phase treatment:

• To address significant problems early in an attempt to prevent severe corrections later.
• To develop jaws for crowding concerns and modify jaw growth for an improved jaw relationship.
• To improve self-esteem and self-image. 

Will my child need full braces if he/she has First Phase Treatment?

While it is most common for children to need full braces after First Phase treatment, this is not always the case.  Growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored following this phase of treatment.  Throughout this period, parents and patients are kept informed as to any future treatment recommendations. 

Can orthodontic correction occur while a child still has some 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 development until the time is right for treatment to begin.  At Kristo Orthodontics, we have a system that makes sure each patient is evaluated when appropriate. 

Why do baby teeth sometimes need to be pulled?

Sometimes pulling baby teeth is necessary to allow severely crowded permanent teeth room to come in at a normal time in a reasonably normal location.  Sequential removal of baby teeth and permanent teeth is sometimes recommended to allow severely crowded teeth to move on their own into much more favorable positions.  This sequential extraction of teeth, called serial extraction, is typically followed by comprehensive orthodontic treatment after tooth eruption has improved as much as it can on its own. 

Will any permanent teeth need to be removed for braces?

Removing permanent teeth is sometimes needed to get the best orthodontic result.  Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are always the goal.  However, because today’s technology has resulted in advanced orthodontic procedures and appliances, the need for removing permanent teeth has been greatly reduced. 

Will an expander be needed?

At the completion of diagnosis, Dr. Kristo will determine whether a patient will need an expander or not.  An expander is a device that painlessly spreads the halves of the upper jaw apart.  New bone fills in between the two halves and the upper jaw remains permanently wider. 

What are the most commonly treated orthodontic problems?

Please visit our Common Problems section. 

How can a child’s growth affect orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment and a child's growth can complement each other. A common orthodontic problem to treat is protrusion of the upper front teeth ahead of the lower front teeth. Quite often this problem is due to the lower jaw being shorter than the upper jaw. While the upper and lower jaws are still growing, orthodontic appliances can be used to help the growth of the lower jaw catch up to the growth of the upper jaw. Abnormal swallowing may be eliminated. A severe jaw length discrepancy, which can be treated quite well in a growing child, might very well require corrective surgery if left untreated until a period of slow or no jaw growth. Children who may have problems with the width or length of their jaws should be evaluated for treatment no later than age 10 for girls and age 12 for boys. The AAO recommends that all children have an orthodontic screening no later than age 7 as growth-related problems may be identified at this time.

What kinds of orthodontic appliances are typically used?

Please see our Types of Appliances section.