Dr. Jacob Chartier is an Orthodontist and who has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Braces.
Q. At what age should a parent take their child to an Orthodontist?
A. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that parents bring their children in for an orthodontic evaluation at age 7. By this age, the first adult molars and front teeth have erupted, establishing the bite. Dr. Chartier can then determine not only a front-to-back tooth relationship, but also a side-to-side relationship. Most of the time, orthodontic treatment at this age is unnecessary and your child will be placed on a 12 month recall.
Q. Do braces hurt?
A. Generally, braces do not hurt. One might experience a little discomfort after some visits, but this can be relieved by taking an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil. However, most of the time, patients do not feel any soreness at all.
Q. Will insurance cover Orthodontic treatment?
A. If you have elected for coverage, many insurance plans cover some of the costs of orthodontic treatment. The majority of the time, insurance coverage is either a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the overall costs. The specific dollar amount varies depending on the plan, but this amount can easily be determined by allowing us to contact your insurance provider.
Q. What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?
A. An early orthodontic evaluation will allow me to determine the need for Interceptive, or Phase I, treatment. The goals of Interceptive treatment are to create space for crowded or erupting teeth, create facial symmetry, reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth, preserve space for unerupted teeth, crossbite correction, closure of an openbite, and digit habit therapy.
Q. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
A. As a dental professional, Dr. Chartier does not like to recommend the extraction of permanent, healthy teeth. Unfortunately, in some circumstances this is unavoidable. For example, extractions would be indicated in cases of severe crowding, when there is not enough space to fit all the teeth, or when the teeth do not match up properly in a front-to-back relationship.
Q. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A. It is never too late to have braces! Every day, more and more adults are choosing to undergo orthodontic treatment. In fact, one in five orthodontic patients is an adult. There is a wide range of orthodontic appliances. There are clear braces, braces that go on the insides of the teeth, Invisalign, and of course the standard metal braces.
Q. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
A. There are some foods that need to be avoided while wearing braces. This is recommended so that the braces do not break or pull the braces off the teeth. Examples include anything sticky like Tootsie Rolls, Starbursts, Now & Laters, Caramels, and gum. Foods that should be eaten with caution include bagels, corn on the cob, chips, and pretzels. Additionally, since braces do require extra special attention when bracing and flossing, sugary foods should be limited, if not avoided. Poor oral hygiene, combined with sugary foods, can cause decalcification of the enamel, resulting in "white spots" that can appear on the teeth.
Q. How to contact Dr. Chartier if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
4320 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Suite E
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Phone: 505-891-1151
Email:jacob@chartierortho.com
Website: chartierortho.com
