Schenectady Braces

Dr. Michael K. DeLuke 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. The oldest patient I’ve treated was 92 years of age, so I’m going to have to say, "No!"  It’s truly amazing what the advances in technology have allowed us to accomplish; at any age!

Q. How much do braces cost?

A. Costs associated with treatment depend upon the complexity of the case, duration of treatment, and materials that will be needed to complete treatment.  Costs are always reviewed prior to initiating any treatment.

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

A. This, too, depends upon the complexity of the case and the treatment plan, but changes are typically noticed within weeks of initiating treatment.  I frequently hear patients/parents say, "I can’t believe that the teeth are moving already!"  It’s truly a testament to the advances that have been made in orthodontic materials, which not only results in shortened treatment times, but makes treatment much more comfortable and decreases the number of adjustment visits needed.

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

A. Some orthodontists remove teeth more aggressively than others. My treatment philosophy is to evaluate and treat every patient as an individual.  It is true that by using modern techniques and technologies it is not necessary to extract permanent teeth as often as it had been in previous years.  In addition, by providing treatment earlier in a child’s life we are able to minimize the frequency with which teeth must be extracted.  That being said, it is important to remember that each patient and each malocclusion is unique, and as such there are cases in which extraction of permanent teeth is the best treatment plan for a particular patient. 

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

A. That really depends upon the complexity of the initial malocclusion.  Phase I, or early/interceptive treatment, can take anywhere from 6 – 18 months to complete, and typically occurs when patients are between the ages of 7 and 9 years old.  Not all patients require an interceptive phase, but when needed it is used to address/correct severe discrepancies in growth and dentition development.  A successful Phase I treatment will allow for superior treatment outcomes in the long run.
Phase II or comprehensive treatment typically lasts anywhere from 12 – 30 months, again depending upon the complexity of the case and if a first phase was performed.  This typically occurs once all of the permanent teeth have erupted.
It is important to note that some patients do require both Phase I and Phase II treatment in order to properly address their dental and skeletal discrepancies.  The first phase is to correct severe structural problems, and the second phase is to align all of the teeth once they have erupted. 

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

A. Absolutely.  With the advances in bonding chemistry we are able to adhere braces to any type of tooth surface; natural (i.e. enamel) or synthetic (i.e. crowns, veneers, bonding, etc.)

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

A. Fortunately, in today’s society braces are widely accepted.  In fact, the majority of my patients come in asking for braces!  But if your child is embarrassed about wearing braces, it is best to explain both the social and functional benefits of having a beautiful smile and normal balanced bite.  And don’t worry – we’ll help with this part!

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

A. I can be reached at 518-377-2700, or contacted through our website at www.delukeorthodontics.com.