Ortho FAQs | Wiewiora & Dunn Orthodontics

Orthodontics FAQs

How much are braces and Invisalign?
We provide high-quality orthodontic treatment that can be customized to your budget. We accept many HMO and PPO dental insurance plans, and we offer a variety of payment options to meet your needs. We also offer an interest-free, no money down in-house financing plan. We accept CareCredit, LendingClub, Cash, Checks, Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Discover.
Take extra care of your mouth during your treatment. Appliances are strong enough to do their jobs but not enough to stand undue abuse and neglect. Avoid chewing pencils and fingernails and eating hard and sticky foods. Outside of the office, you should keep your braces and teeth EXTRA CLEAN with special care at home. On top of that, make sure to visit your dentist every three months for professional cleanings to ensure your treatment goes swiftly and painlessly.
The length of your treatment Wiewiora & Dunn provides varies depending on a number of factors:
  • The complexity of your orthodontic problem.
  • Growth and tissue response to treatment.
  • Level of cooperation from the patient.
  • If every member of the team (the family dentist, orthodontist, and patient) cooperate well, the length of your comprehensive orthodontic treatment can range from 12 to 30 months.
In the event of an emergency, please call our office right away so we can schedule an appointment for you. Please do not come directly to the office without calling first. Once you call, we can create a time to see you and give you the individual attention you deserve.

If your emergency occurs after business hours, please call our office. You will be directed to our on-call certified orthodontic assistant who will provide you with guidance.

The procedure for what you do after damaging your teeth or appliances varies based on what you’ve done and the severity.

Here’s a list of common issues and what you should do if you run into them:

Trauma To Your Tooth:

Call your dentist and report your trauma.

A Bracket Is Knocked Off:

Call your orthodontist to explain how it happened. They will determine the best course of action from there.

The Archwire Is Poking Your Cheek:

Put wax over the area the wire is poking. Schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to have the wire clipped.

Ligature Wire Is Poking Your Lip Or Cheek:

Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with relief wax.

Your Brackets, Wires, Or Bands Have Loosened:

If the braces have come loose in any way, call our office to determine the appropriate next steps. Save any pieces of your braces that break off and bring them with you when you come in to see the orthodontist.

Irritation Of The Lip Or Cheeks:

Pinch off a small amount of orthodontic wax (the size of a pea) and place it completely over the area the braces are causing irritation. If possible, dry off the area first, as that will make the wax stick better.

Mouth Sores:

Apply a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or OraGel).

Discomfort:

This is normal for the first three to five days after your braces or retainer is adjusted. During this period, eat soft foods. If your mouth becomes sore, you should rinse twice a day with warm salt water. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (in recommended doses), may be effective.

Lost Ligature (Rubber Or Wire):

Contact your orthodontist to see if it needs to be replaced right away.

Lip Gets Caught On A Brace:

CALL YOUR DENTIST IMMEDIATELY! Apply ice to the affected area until you have the opportunity to see your orthodontist or family dentist.

Food Caught Between Teeth:

Remove the piece of food with floss or an interproximal brush.

As a general rule of thumb, try to avoid foods that are considerably chewy, sticky, crunchy, or hard. These food items are infamous for damaging brackets and wires and breaking orthodontic appliances.

Chewy, sticky foods can stick to your wires and pull them out of place. Hard foods can pop your wires out of place or break a bracket. Next thing you know, you’re visiting us for an emergency orthodontist appointment. As much as we’d love to see you, we want to keep your treatment on track.

Here are some examples of foods to avoid when wearing braces:
  • Chewy foods — bagels, hard bread rolls, Twizzlers
  • Crunchy foods — popcorn, ice, dried fruits, Cheetos, Doritos, Fritos
  • Sticky foods — caramel, gum, Laffy Taffy, Starburst
  • Hard foods — nuts, Jolly Ranchers, hard pizza crusts, Nerds
  • Foods that require biting — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

The AAO advises that children receive their first orthodontic screening by age 7. Early screenings are crucial for detecting problematic orthodontic conditions before they progress.

Through early detection and early intervention of orthodontic problems, we can effectively minimize the need for future treatment. Conditions that are left untreated can be more challenging to correct in the adult years and may require a more complex treatment, like corrective jaw surgery.

Early orthodontic screenings enable our experienced orthodontists to intervene with problematic conditions and take the necessary steps to establish a healthy foundation for a beautiful set of permanent teeth to grow.

Yes! Dental cleanings are still extremely important. We want to ensure that your teeth and gums are clean and healthy throughout your treatment. Visit your dentist for professional cleanings every 6 months or however often your dentist advises.

We’re happy to coordinate with your dentist on any needs throughout your treatment as well!

Don’t wait!

A confident smile begins with a free consultation.