Both dentists and orthodontists care for the health of your teeth and mouth but there are some key differences. Both dentists and orthodontists must graduate from dental school but orthodontists then go on to 2-3 more years of specialty training focused solely on orthodontics (aligning your teeth, correcting bite and jaw problems, etc.). Orthodontists only practice orthodontics allowing them to focus on this one area of dentistry and become highly proficient. Dentists can do many different procedures ranging from cleanings and fillings to root canals and implants, and, yes, some do braces or aligners. Typically, in dental school, you take one class for one semester pertaining to orthodontics and don’t get experience treating any orthodontic patients. This is why those extra years of training and practice focused solely on aligning teeth and bites that orthodontists go through are so important.

Putting braces on doesn’t hurt. However, there is typically some discomfort and soreness for 2-3 days after getting them on and after each adjustment (which typically occur every 6-8 weeks). Most people do not need any medication and those that do can control the discomfort with over the counter pain relievers.

The best answer is: it depends. The severity of the problems, compliance level of the patient, and age of the patient can all play a role. The more you help us and do the things we ask you to do (such as cleaning your teeth/braces well, wearing rubber bands, coming to appointments, not breaking brackets, etc.) the quicker your treatment will progress! Typically, times range from 6-30 months.

Yes, it is usually more challenging to clean teeth with braces but it is definitely doable! It does take a little extra effort on your part but we will go over best practices and tools to use when you get your braces on. If you feel like you may not be able to keep them as clean as you need to, clear aligners or InBrace may be a better option!

Most insurance plans do have an orthodontic benefit. Some for only kids/teenagers, but some do include adults as well. We will verify with your insurance what coverage you have and will go over that with you at your consultation.

 As one of Dr. Chauncey’s teachers used to say in residency: For as long as it’s important to you that your teeth stay straight. For many people, this means for life. Typically, Dr. Chauncey will have you wear it all day and night for a few months then move to only wearing it at night when you’re sleeping. But night time wear is for a lifetime.

Yes! While you will see Dr. Chauncey every 6-8 weeks for orthodontic adjustments/checks, it is still important that you see your regular dentist for cleanings and cavity checks every 6 months or as often as is recommended.

Yes, we have different options so we can find a payment plan that fits in your budget. We will go over these options with you at your free consultation.

Contact our office right away. If you’re having pain, we will get you in ASAP to get you comfortable. If not, we can still see you or talk you through how you may be able to take care of it at home.

 First, we don’t like the term “permanent” retainer because they are not necessarily permanent. They can break or be removed. We call them “glued in” or “bonded” retainers. We typically recommend bonded retainers when a patient started with a large gap between their top teeth or had severe lower crowding. In most other situations, a removable retainer works just as well (as long as they are worn as instructed) and actually has benefits. They are easier to keep your teeth clean with, they do not become unglued requiring an emergency visit, and you can eat whatever you want (with a bonded retainer you still have to be careful when eating certain things) to name a few. Dr. Chauncey is happy to place bonded retainers if you still feel like it is the best choice after you have reviewed the options with him. He will still give you a clear removable retainer to wear over the bonded retainer at night.

Usually, yes! It does depend on a few things such as the time of your appointment and what the treatment plan is, but usually, yes, braces can be placed the same day.

 If InBrace is the right option for you, Dr. Chauncey will take a scan of your teeth the day you decide you are ready to start treatment. Many times, this is the day of your consultation. He will use this scan to create a digital treatment plan with InBrace. The Smartwire will then be created custom for you and sent to us along with the brackets. It typically takes about 4-5 weeks for us to do this and get you back in to get started.

 If Angel Aligner is the best option for you, Dr. Chauncey will take a scan of your teeth the day you decide you are ready to start treatment. Many times, this is the day of your consultation. He will use this scan to create a digital treatment plan with Angel Aligner. The aligners will then be fabricated and sent to us. It typically takes about 3-4 weeks for us to do this and get you back in to get started.

The AAO (American Association of Orthodontists) recommends everyone to see an orthodontist at age 7. This may seem young to you, and for most kids, it is! However, there are some things that can be corrected early that are much more difficult to correct later. There are also some things that can cause problems or damage to teeth and gums if not corrected early. Dr. Chauncey treats kids when they are ready and will let you know when that time is. If, however, there is not a functional reason to do early treatment, but you feel like there is an esthetic reason, that is something we can do! Self esteem and confidence in a smile can play a big role in a kid’s development. Dr. Chauncey will go over the pros and cons of treating vs waiting and will decide with you what is best for your child.

Yes! Healthy teeth can really be moved at any age. Traditional braces are absolutely an option for adults. If an adult doesn’t want their treatment to be visible, we have a few other options. Clear braces, Angel Aligner, and InBrace can all be great treatment modalities for most people. It really just depends on which will fit your lifestyle best.

You can still do all these things with braces. It is recommended you wear a mouthguard when playing sports. Sometimes you can develop a lisp with aligners or InBrace (not very common with traditional braces) that may take some practice to get rid of for singing. Playing an instrument can also take some getting used to with traditional braces, while we have found that InBrace makes for an easier transition for these patients.