Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. David Sarver on Braces
Dr. David Sarver is an orthodontist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Braces.
Q. Can one be too old for braces?
A. Absolutely not. We have treated patients in their seventies; some of them even opted for surgical correction of jaw deformities. With the advent of Invisalign and lingual (inside the teeth) braces, adults are considering treatment more than ever before!
Q. How much do braces cost?
A. Each case is different, but the range for two years of comprehensive orthodontic treatment generally is in the $4000-$5000 range. If particularly complicated, cases tend to be more and can be more expensive, but the cost is not a "fixed cost for braces." Simpler cases can range from under $1000 to $4000.
Q. When will one begin to see changes in his/her teeth after the braces are put on?
A. Generally, changes will begin rather immediately. It depends on what the problem is, or how much crowding is present, but in today’s orthodontic environment we use a totally different technology than were available thirty years ago. The most obvious examples are the materials used such as titanium brackets which are flexible and bacteriostatic, super elastic arch wires which are extremely flexible and can be completely engaged on the initial visit to begin tooth movement quickly and with less pressure and discomfort.
Q. Will one need to have teeth extracted for braces?
A. In some cases yes, but the statistics indicate in contemporary orthodontics the extraction rates are much less than they were a generation ago. Again, this is due to a number of technological advances.
Q. How long will it take to complete treatment?
A. As in all things, it depends on the severity of the problem. A very significant part of treatment time that patients do not always recognize is the need for their cooperation. This includes wearing elastics as prescribed and keeping regular appointments.
Q. Can a person wear braces even though that person may have crowns and missing teeth?
A. Absolutely. Crowns are attached to roots of teeth and, in reality, that is what we actually deal with in orthodontics moving to the roots of the teeth through the bone. We have a number of ways to attach to crowns, and many adult patients we treat have one or more missing teeth and that is the reason for treatment, to prepare them for restoration.
Q. How can I prevent my child from being embarrassed by wearing braces?
A. I am actually a little surprised by that question, because the predominant attitude children coming into our practice have is very positive about braces. Many of them actually want them, and we even see patients who are disappointed as they do not want any treatment because they "wanted braces." If a child is embarrassed about braces there are many options that are less noticeable such as clear ceramic braces, lingual braces (braces on the inside of the teeth so that they are hidden), and Invisalign (a series of clear plastic aligners which are removable).
Q. How to contact Dr. Sarver if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
1705 Vestavia Pkwy
Birmingham, AL 35216
Telephone: (205) 979-7072
Fax: 205-979-7140
Email:david.sarver@sarverortho.com
Website: http://www.sarverortho.com/
