1. Do braces hurt?
For the most part, braces do not hurt. The procedure of getting braces simply involves gluing the braces to your teeth. The day after you get clear braces cost, your teeth may start feeling sore and may stay sore for a few days. The soreness usually peaks during days 2-3, but should start getting better by days 4-5. Future adjustments may or may not cause you discomfort depending on what is being done to your teeth. To alleviate the discomfort, you can take whatever pain medications you would normally use for a headache.

Because your lips, cheeks and tongue are not accustom to rubbing against the braces, you may experience sores. The sores may last for one to two weeks until your lips, cheeks, and tongue get use contacting your braces. If there is part of the braces that is irritating your mouth, you can place orthodontic wax to help smooth the rough area of the braces. After your lips, cheeks and tongue get use to the braces, you may even forget you have them on.

2. What causes crooked teeth?
If you have crooked teeth or a bad bite you probably inherited these traits. However, losing some baby teeth early or indulging in harmful habits such as thumb or fingersucking can also cause your teeth to be crooked.

3. When is the best time to schedule a consultation with the orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist for an evaluation no later than age seven. There are a few orthodontic problems that should be correct at that age. If your orthodontist determines that no treatment is necessary at that time, he or she will be able to offer you guidance on when to start treatment or when to bring your child back for re-evaluation.
For adults, treatment can be start at almost any age as long as the gums and bone surrounding the teeth are healthy.

4. Can I get my braces off sooner?
Unfortunately, orthodontic treatment time is limit in part to how quickly or slowly your bone can remodel, thus allowing your teeth to move. In younger patients with less-developed bone, teeth tend to move faster than in older patients with more-developed bone. Some patients think that if the orthodontist “tightens” the braces more, the teeth will move faster. Indeed, the teeth need force in order to move. However, there is an optimal force that moves teeth, and increasing the force level after the optimal level has been reach may actually cause damage to the bone and surrounding tissues, and may slow down tooth movement. The best way to ensure that your clear braces cost come off on time is to not break anything, wear your elastics and prescribed, and keep your teeth and gums healthy.

5. Can I get braces just on my top or bottom teeth?
That depends. Besides straightening your teeth, orthodontists are also concerned about correcting your bite if needed. Many times, if only one arch is treat, the bite will still be uncorrect. Over time, a malocclusion (bad bite) could cause damage to your teeth, tissues, and jaw joints.

6. Do I need a referral from my dentist to see the orthodontist?
No. While dentists can refer patients to the orthodontist, many patients actually are refer to the orthodontist by family and friends of existing patients. Exceptions to this rule may be if you are in an HMO plan that will only allow you to see certain orthodontists.