Orthodontics FAQs
Helping You With Answers To Your Orthodontics FAQS
Read Our Orthodontics FAQs
The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children see an orthodontist for an initial orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. Rather than waiting until your child is ready for braces, seeing an orthodontist at this early age can help our team determine any early treatment or preventative steps that can be taken to intercept any developing bite-related issues. And, because your initial consultation is free, you can get answers to all your orthodontics FAQs and take these first essential steps towards a bright, beautiful and healthy smile.
Early Treatment, also known as Phase 1 Treatment, is an interceptive or preventative treatment done prior to full orthodontic treatment to maintain space for permanent teeth, creating room for crowded or erupting teeth. By taking care of some of these emergent issues early, you can avoid complications later, such as permanent tooth extraction, complex orthodontic treatment, procedures and surgeries, trauma to protruding front teeth, bite issues and more. Read more on our page about early orthodontic treatment.
On occasion, children require early intervention orthodontic treatment to address issues with jaw development or teeth crowding. Once these issues have been addressed, Phase 1 treatment is over. However, once the permanent teeth come into the mouth, a second treatment, also known as Phase 2 treatment, is often required to address misalignment and refine the final tooth positioning.
Braces aren’t just for kids anymore! At Smiles Orthodontics, we firmly believe that it’s never too late to love your smile. In fact, close to 30% of our patients are adults. If you have orthodontic concerns you were never able to correct as a child, Smiles Orthodontics in Wichita, Kansas, wants to help you experience the satisfaction of a beautiful, healthy smile—no matter your age.
When you come in for your consultation, our team at Smiles Orthodontics will estimate the length of time your orthodontic treatment will take and answers all your orthodontic FAQs. However, this estimate is only a general guideline of events and milestones. Several things can influence treatment time, including natural oral growth patterns and your ability to maintain the rules and restrictions put in place to maximize your results. Even factors like how much your jaw needs to stretch and how much your teeth will have to move to achieve proper alignment can affect your treatment period. Rest assured that our team will keep you informed every step of the way and help you get the best results possible.
As with any medical treatment, unexpected issues may arise during or after your orthodontic treatment. Usually, these issues are mild and may even be completely avoidable, and when accidents occur, most can be treated by our team at Smiles Orthodontics. Some of the common problems that might occur during orthodontic treatment include:
- Increased cavities and decalcification
- Swollen gums
- Root resorption
- Loss of tooth vitality
- Impacted teeth
- Ankylosed teeth
- Appliance-related injuries
- Injuries during treatment
- Jaw joint pain or clicking
- Tooth attrition or enamel loss
- Orthognathic surgery
- Relapse tendencies
Many of these potential problems can be entirely avoided by sticking to your treatment plan and continuing to take proper care of your teeth during your orthodontic treatment. If your treatment includes any dietary restrictions, additional steps in your dental hygiene routine, extra features such as elastic bands or any other recommendations, always remember to follow Dr. Gorantla’s instructions to keep your teeth on track and avoid any potential issues.
Everyone knows taking care of your teeth is important, but never is this more true than when you’re in the midst of orthodontic treatment. Keeping your teeth clean and healthy is an essential step in transforming your smile, and your orthodontic treatment will probably add an extra step or two to your usual dental hygiene routine.
Always remember to brush your teeth after every meal. If you have braces, make sure you’re also thoroughly brushing your braces to clear out any food particles that may be hiding tucked away in the metal appliances. Your Smiles Orthodontics team will also provide floss and any necessary floss threaders to help you access those hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and the wires.
For those with clear aligners, take care to keep your aligners clean and protected to avoid discoloration. Rather than brushing your aligners with toothpaste, use an appropriate soak or product recommended by your dentist.
Because orthodontic treatments involve your oral health, it’s always important to maintain a balanced diet that keeps your teeth healthy and strong. Patients with braces should also closely follow dietary restrictions to avoid damaging their teeth or braces with hard or sugary foods. Our team is here to answer all your orthodontics FAQs regarding good oral hygiene.
Smiles Orthodontics is proud to offer orthodontic care in Wichita for everyone, including children and adults. Whatever your orthodontic needs, our team is here to answer your orthodontics FAQs and has the skills, care and compassion to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Explore our website for more information on orthodontic treatment for children, teens and adults, as well as our financing options.
The day you get your appliances put on will be the longest appointment you have with us. We’re proud to use proper care and skill in selecting and applying your orthodontic treatment to ensure you get the best results. After your orthodontic appliances are put in, subsequent appointments will be much shorter.
The very first step in creating a personalized orthodontic treatment plan is getting a sense of your current orthodontic condition, as well as your goals and plans for your smile. This information will all be discussed and evaluated during your complimentary consultation, so you have nothing to worry about!
After looking at your teeth and designing a specific plan for your individual needs, our team, including our New Patient Coordinator, will walk you through your treatment plan and answer any orthodontics FAQs you may have prior to starting treatment.
When the big day arrives, we will begin your treatment and officially congratulate you on starting your smile journey! After your appliances are on, all your orthodontic FAQs are answered and you’ve been given all the information you need to follow through with your treatment plan, you’ll continue to go checkups and cleanings for regular dental work with your family dentist. Dr. Gorantla will also provide you with a schedule for subsequent visits to our office so we can check in on your progress and do any additional work like tightening your wires or giving you your next set of aligners.
Proper orthodontic treatment is a partnership between our team, Dr. Gorantla and you. The best results for your smile can only be obtained by working together with the common goal of helping you achieve the smile of your dreams.
For the most effective results in the shortest time, here’s what you can do to make your transformed smile the best it can be:
- Continue to see your general dentist for checkups, cleanings and regular dental work
- Keep up with regularly scheduled appointments with your orthodontist
- Practice good dental hygiene
- Follow your treatment plan strictly, including wearing rubber bands, aligners or retainers as instructed
- Notify our team immediately if any problems or accidents occur with your appliances
- Maintain a well-balanced diet and avoid foods that could damage your teeth or appliances
- Ask our team or Dr. Gorantla all of your orthodontics FAQs
After beginning any orthodontic treatment, you can expect some mild discomfort as your teeth, gums and mouth get used to the feeling of your appliances. This discomfort is often accompanied by some difficulty speaking, singing or playing instruments as you may have done before. This discomfort and awkwardness will pass within a few days.
As treatment continues, you will need to have your wires tightened or your aligners replaced, depending on what style of orthodontic treatment you’re going through. After these subsequent appointments, you may experience that same tightness or pressure, but this just means that your treatment is working!
X-rays help us reveal any problems that cannot be seen with the naked eye. For example, some patients may have teeth still lying underneath their gums that have yet to erupt. By knowing the placement, size and shape of your teeth, as well as their relationship to your jaw and gums, we can personalize your treatment plan and give you the best possible results.
Retainers are an essential part of your orthodontic process that do their work after you’ve completed your full orthodontic treatment in the form of braces or clear aligners. These handy tools, made of either metal or medical-grade plastic, put gentle pressure on your smile to help hold your teeth in their newly-aligned positions, meaning you keep your smile straight, beautiful and healthy for years and years without undoing all your (and Dr. Gorantla’s) hard work! Read more about retainers on our dedicated webpage here.
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your health and your smile. In the Wichita area, treatment typically ranges from $3,000 to $7,000, but the exact cost depends on your individual treatment plan. During your consultation, we’ll answer your orthodontics FAQs provide a personalized estimate based on your needs.
Orthodontic treatment is customized for every patient so costs can vary. Factors such as the complexity of your case, the expected length of treatment and the type of treatment you choose all play a role in determining overall cost.
Yes! Most families are relieved to learn that we offer flexible monthly payment plans, allowing you to spread the cost of treatment over time instead of paying it all at once.
Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits that can help cover part of the cost of treatment. During your consultation, we’ll review your insurance benefits, answer your orthodontics FAQs and explain your available payment options.
Yes. After examining your teeth and evaluating your bite, Dr. Gorantla will provide a personalized treatment plan along with a clear estimate of your treatment costs, insurance benefits and payment options.
Treatment length depends on your individual needs, including the complexity of your case and the type of treatment you choose. During your consultation, Dr. Gorantla will answer your orthodontics FAQs and discuss your personalized treatment plan and estimated timeline.
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