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. Brian Bivens on Braces
Dr. Brian Bivens is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Braces.
Q. Can one be too old for braces?
A. Nobody is ever too old for braces. I have had patients in braces well over 60 years old.
Q. How much does braces cost?
A. The cost of braces is extremely variable. It is related to the patient’s insurance coverage as well as duration of treatment. The only way to accurately tell someone the cost of braces is to have them come in for a consultation.
Q. When will one begin to see changes in his/her teeth after the braces are put on?
A. Once braces are put on, one will begin to see changes within the first two weeks. The patient will usually notice more changes in the beginning stages of treatment when we are correcting crowding and spacing, and not notice the changes as much toward the end of treatment when we are correcting the bite.
Q. Will one need to have teeth extracted for braces?
A. Occasionally, it is necessary to pull permanent teeth in order to straighten the teeth with braces. I would estimate that about 30% of patients must have permanent teeth pulled as part of their orthodontic treatment. Having said that, it is my philosophy to avoid having teeth pulled, if at all possible. I will consider all other options (such as expanding the arches) first, before I decide that getting teeth extracted is necessary.
Q. How long will it take to complete the treatment?
A. Once again, in order to determine how long any given patient will be in braces, they would need to come to a consultation. The average treatment time for full braces is about 24 months.
Q. Can a person wear braces even though that person may have crowns and missing teeth?
A. Yes, a person can still wear braces even if they have crowns and missing teeth.
Q. How can I prevent my child from being embarrassed by wearing braces?
A. Honestly, I have never had a child or parent tell me that a child is embarrassed by wearing braces. It is so common for children to have braces now, it seems that they all just consider it normal. Many of my patients are very excited to get braces when they come to the consultation. If the appearance of the braces is a problem for the patient or the parent, we do offer clear (ceramic) braces as well as an exciting new product called Invisalign Teen.
Q. How to contact Dr. Bivens if we have further questions?
