Q: What if the bands or brackets become loose?
Answer: The seal created by the cement has broken. Call our office and schedule an appointment. If the band or bracket detaches from the wire, save it and take it with you to your next appointment.

Q: What if there is a wire sticking out and poking the mouth?
Answer: Try tucking it in with the eraser part of a pencil or tweezers. If that doesn’t work, dry it with a napkin and place wax over the tip of the wire to prevent further irritation. Wax can also be applied to a bracket or hook that is causing discomfort.

Q: What if your mouth feels sore?
Answer: To relieve soreness, rinse your mouth with warm salt water and/or take Advil or Tylenol as directed.

Q: How long will treatment last?
Answer: The average treatment time is 18 months for full treatment. Cosmetic alignment cases where no bite changes are needed average 6 months and can be as short as 3 months. The exact treatment time is dependent on many variables such as patient cooperation, difficulty of the case, keeping regular appointments, etc.

Q: What is the best age to first see the orthodontist?
Answer: The rule of thumb is to see an orthodontist as soon as a possible problem is noticed. It’s a big advantage if we see younger patients for the first time at about age 7 or 8. This is the opportune time to begin a guidance program.

Q: Am I too old for orthodontics?
Answer: Orthodontics is for adults too. Orthodontic treatment is a life long investment in you – your teeth, bite, and self-image. Our oldest patient so far has been 83 years young! About 20% of our practice is adults, and the number is growing.

Q: How much will the treatment cost?
Answer: It varies from patient to patient. There is no fee for the initial consultation and Dr. Cohen can tell you the cost of your treatment at this first visit. Some insurance companies will cover a percentage of orthodontic costs. We have flexible payment options to accommodate your financial situation.