Q & A

iStock-526470051
  1. Who is an orthodontist?
  2. Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?
  3. Who is a Board Certified Orthodontist?
  4. Do I need a referral from my dentist before seeing the orthodontist?
  5. Can my family dentist do orthodontics?
  6. At what age should my child be seen for an orthodontic screening?
  7. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
  8. What about adult orthodontics? Is it too late? What are the benefits?
  9. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
  10. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
  11. What will I learn from the initial examination?
  12. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
  13. How long will it take to complete treatment?
  14. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
  15. How often will I have appointments?
  16. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
  17. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
  18. Do braces hurt?
  19. How long does it take to put the braces on?
  20. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
  21. Do you give shots?
  22. How are instruments cleaned?
  23. Do you use recycled braces?
  24. How are the assistants trained?
  25. Can I still play sports?
  26. Can I play a musical instrument with braces?
  27. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
  28. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
  29. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
  30. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
  31. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
  32. What is Phase I (early) treatment?
  33. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase I treatment?
  34. What are retainers?
  35. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?

An orthodontist is a dentist who has "SPECIALIZED" in the field of orthodontics. After becoming a dentist, orthodontists attend a post-doctoral residency for two to three extra years of specialized training in the art and science of moving teeth, jaws and changing facial growth. Membership in the American Association of Orthodontists indicates certification in the specialty of orthodontics.

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.

Board-certified orthodontists have chosen to go a step beyond other orthodontists to show their commitment to excellence. They have gone through hundreds of additional hours of preparation to be examined and approved by a panel of experts appointed by the American Board of Orthodontics. To maintain their status, they have to be recertified every 10 years. This commitment to excellence is shared by only a small percentage of orthodontists.

No, you do not need a referral from your dentist in order to see us. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, however many others take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

In the state of Texas, family dentists are not prohibited by law from placing braces on teeth, however they are not specialists in orthodontics. They have learned the techniques by attending weekend seminars tailored to non-specialists rather than attending a two to three year university program that certified orthodontic specialist are trained in.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition. This early screening allows for prevention or more successful correction of growth and developmental problems since a child's bone structure is still growing. Early orthodontic screening and treatment can help those patients with severe crowding that would otherwise need extraction of permanent teeth for correction.

No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age. Most dental or skeletal problems are not self-correcting. Just waiting for a patient to grow out of a harmful pattern wastes precious treatment time. Once a patient has reached late adolescence, removal of teeth or surgery may be needed to correct the problems. Common causes of dental or skeletal problems include genetic inheritance, missing or extra teeth, medical problems such as mouth breathing due to chronic allergies or asthma, and bad habits such as thumb sucking. Patients suffering from any of these conditions need to be seen by an orthodontist at age 7.

A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces! Tooth-colored braces and invisible orthodontics, along with other developments in techniques, have made adult orthodontics cosmetically acceptable and technically simple. More adults are accepting orthodontic treatment these days, knowing that a beautiful smile is a healthier smile and looking great at any age may improve your personal, social, and professional life.

If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.

During this complimentary examination you will meet our Treatment Coordinator who will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes will discuss your treatment option in depth, following a thorough clinical examination.

To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit page.

There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:

  • Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
  • What must be done to correct the problem?
  • Will any teeth need to be removed?
  • How long will the treatment take to complete?
  • How much will the treatment cost?

Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes is especially trained in non-extraction treatment. However, removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 18-24 months.

It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. Orthodontic fees depend on the complexity of your treatment. During your complimentary exam, we will cover the exact cost and financial options. We have many financing options (including interest-free financing) available to accommodate your needs. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 6 to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 6 to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes prefers to personally update every parent at every visit, so if you are out of the office when she is ready to give you an update, she may have to touch base with you at the next appointment. If there is an important matter to discuss, she will personally call you when she is free. Our clinical assistants are always available to give you an update also.

There is no pain at all when braces are applied to your teeth. After a few days you will get used to having braces on your teeth. After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days when the wires are reactivated. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all!

We usually schedule an hour to an hour and a half for application of braces and going over care instructions.

Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.

No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

We follow the strictest sterilization guidelines mandated by the CDC, OSHA, and the state of Texas. We employ disposable tools and materials whenever feasible, and what tools must be re-used are always thoroughly cleaned and sterilized in between each patient.

Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.

Our staff members have multiple certifications and continue to improve and update their many skills through continuing education throughout the year. Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes only hires experienced employees, certified and registered by the state of Texas. Our assistants have all been trained in advanced orthodontic assisting, CPR, sterilization and taking X-rays.

Yes. Please be sure to ask us for an orthodontic mouthguard (used for all sports), compliments of Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes.

Yes. After a short period of adjustment you will be playing the instrument of your choice just as well with braces on your teeth. We recommend that you do not get braces on or have them removed just before a performance or competition. You need to allow some time to get your range back.

Yes! Regular check-ups with your family dentist are important while in braces. We recommend that you continue to see your family dentist every 3 to 6 months for cleanings and every 6 months for check-ups.

Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions. Please see our Oral Hygiene & Diet Restrictions page for details.

Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.

If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.

Phase I treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase I treatment lasts about 12-21 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.

It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the "resting period," during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.

Retainers prevent the teeth from moving back to their original position and prevent changes that occur naturally as part of the aging process. If you want to keep your teeth straight, like the day your braces were removed, you will need to wear your retainers regularly. Please visit our Appliances page for more details.

Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.