Elk Grove Braces

Dr. Mark S. Douglas 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. Most definitely not, one is never too old for braces.  We treat a wide range of ages in our practice.  In our practice, we have patients as young as 5 years old, we have young children, teenagers of course, and we have many adult patients as well.  Our oldest patient in braces in our office is in their 80’s.  In fact, one in five orthodontic patients in this country is an adult (source: AAO).

Q. How much do braces cost?

A. Depending on what your treatment recommendations are, there may be a wide range of fees to accomplish our goals for you.  For example, a simple retainer may cost less than $100, where a complex orthodontic case may cost several thousand dollars.  An estimate fee range is provided for you with no obligation at your initial visit.

Q. When will one begin to see changes in his/her teeth after the braces are put on?

A. Actually, many if not most patients start seeing positive changes in their teeth within the first week after the braces go on.  Some actually will see a nice change within the first day!  Generally, everyone should see changes between the time they get their braces put on and the time they return for their next follow up visit.

Q. Will one need to have teeth extracted for braces?

A. Not necessarily.  Many patients will not require any teeth to be extracted in order to have braces.  However, there are instances (severe crowding of teeth for example), where extracting either baby teeth or permanent teeth may be recommended.  We understand the concerns when it comes to having teeth extracted and should this be a recommendation for you or your child, we are always more than happy to openly discuss those concerns with you and your family so that you are 100% comfortable and confident with our treatment recommendations.

Q. How long will it take to complete the treatment?

A. Treatment time will often depend on the severity of the case as well as the goals that we are trying to achieve.  Some cases can be finished in a matter of months, while others may take a couple of years.  Again, an estimated treatment time will be provided for you at your initial examination.

Q. Can a person wear braces even though that person may have crowns and missing teeth?

A. Most definitely, a person can wear braces even if they are missing teeth or have crowns or fillings on their teeth.  In fact, a person in that situation may most benefit from wearing braces in order to create the necessary space to restore a missing tooth or teeth.

Q. How can I prevent my child from being embarrassed by wearing braces?

A. We offer a wide variety of different options when it comes to types braces.  From invisible aligner treatment, clear ceramic braces, and low profile metal braces, we have an option for each patient’s individual needs and situation.  From our experience, our younger and teenage patients actually enjoy the traditional metal braces that allow them to wear the different colored "ties" that help hold the wire into the braces.  Most love to change their colors at each visit in order to match school colors, team colors, outfits, or just to be creative.  We are more than happy to discuss with you what your concerns are and what type of brace system would be most appropriate for your child.

Q. How to contact Dr. Douglas if we have further questions?    

A.
4827 Laguna Park Dr., Suite 5
Elk Grove, CA 95758
Phone: 916-392-1885
Fax: 916-392-1888
Email: info@lagunacreekortho.com
Website: http://www.lagunacreekortho.com/