Dr. Luis Piedade is an Orthodontist who has answered some common questions that Bizymoms visitors have about Braces.
Q. Can one be too old for braces?
A. About 30% of our patient base is adult. Moving and correcting the alignment of the teeth follows the same biological and physical process no matter what the age. However, an adult mouth might need to overcome other possible challenges such as missing teeth, bone loss, gum recession, crowns, bridges, and implants. Regardless, persons of any age can benefit from treatment.
Q. How much do braces cost?
A. The cost of braces is directly related to the complexity of the treatment and time period involved. Treatment fees vary, with cost ranging between about $4500-$6500, and an average of about $5300. Our fees include all aspects of treatment performed in our office which includes diagnostic records, orthodontic x-rays, all appliances, braces, lab costs, regular and emergency office visits, the initial set of retainers and monitoring following one year of active treatment.
Q. When will one begin to see changes in his or her teeth after the braces are put on?
A. Most people will tell you that they notice their teeth shift before they return for their first adjustment appointment, approximately 8-10 weeks later. Usually, the more severe the malocclusion (bad bite), the more drastic the tooth movements and the greater the likelihood that patients will notice changes sooner.
Q. Will one need to have teeth extracted for braces?
A. No one likes to have teeth removed, and a smile with a full display of teeth often produces a broader, more natural smile and a nicer profile as you age. I use biologically sensible forces which work with the body’s natural adaptive processes to create space naturally, so I can now treat most cases without extraction. In the few cases which still require extraction, space is made to improve facial balance and symmetry, not necessarily to make teeth fit.
Q. How long will it take to complete the treatment?
A. With the advanced technologies now being used (e.g. low-friction braces, space-aged wires), treatment time is typically shorter than in the past and when compared to conventional braces. Shorter treatment time also means fewer appointments and a beautiful smile...faster. You may be surprised at how fast. Average treatment time in our office is 18 months.
Q. Can a person wear braces even though they may have crowns and missing teeth?
A. Patients with crowns can be treated with braces but damage to the glazed surface of the crown may occur when the brackets are removed. In cases where bond strength is not adequate between the bracket and crown, it may be necessary to band (i.e. place a metal ring that goes around tooth) a tooth in order to move it.
When a patient is missing a tooth, the question usually becomes whether the space will be closed or opened using the braces. If the decision is made to open the space, an implant is usually placed in the space. But what to do in each case depends on several factors and is evaluated on a case by case basis.
If there are several teeth missing, treatment can be complicated but there are ways to work around the problem.
Q. How can I prevent my child from being embarrassed by wearing braces?
A. Whether it is clear braces or Invisalign Teen, teenagers these days don’t have to worry about embarrassing metal braces. Invisalign Teen actually provides a clear way to straighten teeth without metal braces, using aligners. Aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. The best part is that you can still eat and drink what you want. You can brush and floss normally which allows our patients to better maintain healthy gums and teeth since there are no wires or metal brackets.
Q. How can we contact Dr. Piedade if we have further questions?
A. Dr. Luis Piedade (he is more commonly referred to as Dr. Luis) can be reached at 519-740-0670 or info@ritebite.ca.
