The American Dental Association has found that sugar-free gum can aid in cleaning teeth and freshening breath after a meal! Many sugar-free gums (Dentyne, Trident, Orbit, Extra, etc.) are not too sticky and won’t get caught in braces. However, we ask our patients who want to chew gum to be very careful the same way they would with other hard or chewy nutritious foods such as cut apples, carrots, or raisins. Avoid hard candies and chewy, sticky, sugary foods to prevent plaque buildup in your braces. Chewing with care will help ensure a smooth treatment process. During the first couple weeks of your braces treatment, you may experience some mild soreness in your mouth. Your diet may need to be temporarily altered with softer/liquid foods to accommodate the initial tenderness.

Not at all! A large percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, about 30 percent of our orthodontic patients are adults. No patient is “too old” to for orthodontics – we even have a few patients in their 90s! Orthodontic treatment improves your personal appearance, your self esteem and your overall health. It’s never too late to take steps toward becoming your happiest, healthiest you.

When you arrive, one of our treatment coordinators will introduce you to our office and take the necessary photographs and x-rays for Dr. Caudill or Dr. McNeight to properly understand your condition. They will discuss the concerns you have about your teeth and then complete a brief, but thorough, exam. After this, Dr. Caudill or Dr. McNeight will discuss their findings with you, inform you of your condition in great detail, and present your treatment options. They will discuss the expected treatment length and help you understand what’s to come. You will then visit with our treatment coordinator, who will discuss the cost of your personalized treatment plan and our available payment options. Our goal during your initial exam is to work with you in choosing a treatment and payment plan that makes you feel comfortable and excited about your orthodontic journey.

The price of braces or Invisalign will depend on your individual treatment plan; there isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to payment. During your initial examination, we will discuss the exact cost for braces or Invisalign, as well as our financial options. We’re proud to offer competitive orthodontist prices! Our in-house office financing offers an initial down payment with low monthly payments, interest-free! CareCredit financing is also available with no interest if paid within the promotional period of 6 to 12 months. If you prefer to pay in full, additional discounts are given. We also offer coverage from most insurance companies! Check out our insurance options here.

Orthodontic treatment time will depend on the specific conditions present to fix and their severity. It is possible for treatment to take a little as 6 months. However, the “average” treatment time is longer than 12 months. If you need additional help to fix your bite with elastic rubber bands, for example, your treatment time can be reduced or extended depending on your diligence in wearing them as instructed.

It is usually difficult for you to determine if treatment is necessary because there are many problems that can occur even though the front teeth look straight. In addition, many orthodontic problems that look intimidating and complex can resolve on their own. Asking your general dentist is a good reference, but we are your best resource since orthodontics is our specialty and it is all we do in our office. Schedule your child’s consultation today to find out more about how we can help!

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that your child be evaluated by age seven. This allows us to determine the best time for the treatment. Early detection of any orthodontic problems is important in order to take early corrective action and avoid more difficult treatment later. If no treatment is needed, we will continue to evaluate your child’s growth and eruption of permanent teeth yearly at no charge to you.

Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10 and typically lasts between 6-12 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.

Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet a multitude of others schedule an examination themselves. You do not need a referral to be seen.

We have after school appointments available, however, we have found that many patients like to schedule their appointments before school or work. Our day starts at 7am! Unfortunately, we cannot promise our schedule will always all your appointments to be scheduled during these times. However, because most appointments are scheduled 6 to 12 weeks apart, many patients will miss minimal school or work due to their orthodontic treatment. We always make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.