ANSWERS TO THE

10 MOST COMMONQUESTIONS

ABOUT ORTHODONTICS

Why you should consider orthodontics

A confident smile is one of the best investments you can make in yourself or your

child’s future. A great smile can open doors to new opportunities, friendships,

instill self-confidence, and just make you feel good. Studies show that an attractive

smile can influence success in your personal and professional life.

Orthodontics is more than simply straightening crooked teeth. It also improves

your bite or the way your teeth fit together. This can help your teeth last longer

and chew properly. A proper bite can also protect

your jaw joint from potential

TMJ or joint pain. Considering

all the lifelong benefits

orthodontics has to offer, we

think you will agree that it is

one of the best

investments you can

make in yourself

or your child.

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

Why did my dentist suggest I visit an orthodontist?

The most common reason to see an orthodontist is for improved appear-

ance of your smile. But that is just one of the many things an orthodontist

can correct. Crooked teeth are harder to clean and can be a

source of gum problems and cavities.

Teeth that don’t fit together properly also usually wear poorly and can require

expensive dental correction. A bite that doesn’t fit together even affects your

ability to properly chew food. An orthodontist works closely with your dentist

to improve your overall dental and physical health. Orthodontic treatment can

often save you money in the long run byavoiding future dental problems.

How do I know if my child needs braces?

Crooked teeth or spaces between teeth are the most obvious prob-

lems corrected with orthodontics. If you ask your child to bite down

and look at his/her teeth you may notice a few other areas that need

orthodontic correction.

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

Is there an open bite?Open bites left uncorrected lead to extreme wear ofposterior teeth. This also is one of the more severeproblems affecting improper chewing. It also is associ-ated with higher incidence of TMJ (jaw joint) problems.

Do the upper front teeth stick out too far?This indicates the upper and lower jaws don’t line upproperly. These problems are best corrected in grow-ing children. Prominent front teeth are at a much higher risk of injury and fractures.

Is there a deep bite?The front teeth cover the lower front teeth too much.Deep bites can cause damage to the gums. They are also lead to rapid wear of the edges of the front teeth.

Is there an underbite?The lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth.Underbites should be corrected early (7-8 years of age). This problem is associated with poor chewing of food.

Do the midlines line up?This is an indicator that the back teeth do not fit properly

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

When should my child see an orthodontist?

Although most teeth are still baby teeth, most problems can be identified by that

age. Most of these problems do not necessarily require early treatment. There

are some specific problems that should be treated at an early age (7-9yrs). This

is called “interceptive or phase

one treatment.” This early treat-

ment can correct problems that

would be far more difficult to

treat if all the teeth were present.

If self-esteem is affected by the

problem, it can also provide an

additional three to four years of

having a great smile at an age

when their self-image is de-

veloping. Life with an awkward

smile can be tough, especially

in early adolescence.

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

What’s the difference between an Orthodontist and a General Dentist?

An Orthodontist is a dentist who has an additional two to three years at an accredited

Orthodontic Specialty program. This equates to over 4,000 hours of specialty train-

ing focused on growth and development of the jaws and teeth and orthodontic tooth

movement. General dentists are trained in overall general dental health and treat

cavities, root canals, gum problems, extractions, and tooth replacement. Orthodontist

specialize in braces, Invisalign, and other oral appliances to properly align teeth and

correct bite and growth problems. Just like you wouldn’t ask your Family Doctor to

perform knee surgery you wouldn’t want your General Dentist to do your orthodontic

treatment. For fillings, cleaning, and general dental care see your General Dentist, for

straightening your teeth with braces or Invisalign trust an Orthodontist.

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

How to choose your orthodontist?

Choosing an Orthodontist for you and your family is a major decision. Your smile and

overall dental health will be affected forever by your choice. Be sure your orthodon-

tic treatment is done by an Orthodontist. (See previous question) At your consultation

make sure your problem and treatment are fully explained and that you understand

your options. Do you like the personality of the office staff and the orthodontist? Are the

payment options flexible and do they fit within your budget? Are retainers and follow up

care included? What are the practice office hours? Do they provide patient references

and testimonials? Look at the be-

fore/after cases. Does the ortho-

dontist offer a smile guarantee?

Be careful not to choose based

on cost alone. A more expensive

fee may actually only be an extra

$10-$20 per month to receive a

superior overall treatment experi-

ence. Considering your treatment

will take up to two years, and your

results will last a lifetime, consider

more than just price alone.

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

How much do braces cost?

The cost of orthodontic treatment is based on the difficulty of the

problem. Currently full treatment with upper and lower braces ranges

from $3800 to $6000. Invisalign usually, is a little bit more due to the

additional expense of the aligners. Some problems do not require full

treatment and can be resolved with partial treatment of just the upper

or lower teeth. These treatments are less expensive. We try to make

braces fit into any budget by offering low down payments and

Monthly payments as low as $129 per month. It is

important to understand that an investment in

Orthodontics is truly an investment in yourself or

your child and in their overall health and self-es-

teem. Numerous studies have shown that a great

smile is the first thing noticed when meeting some-

one. A confident smile can truly change a person’s

future. Teeth that fit properly can save thousands

of dollars in dental treatment over a lifetime.

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

Invisalign or Braces, which is best?

Invisalign and Braces are both effective tools for straightening teeth. Both are

equally effective at closing spacing problems or aligning mild to moderate

crowding. Braces are better at correcting severe crowding or most bite prob-

lems. Invisalign can be used for almost 80% of orthodontic problems. Invisalign

can be used in both teens and adults.As with most tools, the skill of the ortho-

dontistis far more important than which tool is chosen.

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

Can be removed to eat and brush

Virtually invisible

No food restrictions

Easier to maintain oral hygiene

Almost no breakage or emergency appointments

Does not require 21 hours of daily compliance to get results

Fun colors

Cannot be lost

Superior choice for certain orthodontic problems

Have to be careful with hard or sticky foods

More noticeable

Require excellent tooth brushing

Can cause cheek irritation initially

Requires 21 hours of wear per day

Slightly more expensive than braces

Can be lost

Poor results if not worn consistently

Invisalign Pros:

Braces Pros:

Braces Cons:

Invisalign Cons:

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

Am I too old for orthodontics?

Orthodontics can be done at any age. Teeth move

almost as fast in a 70 year old as they do in an 11 year old. Today 25-30% of

orthodontic patients are adults. It

is true that some bite problems are

more easily correctable in children

because of ability to direct the

growth of the jaws. In these cases

there are usually excellent compro-

mises that can be made to achieve

an outstanding result.

How long will treatment take?

Every orthodontic case is different. Full orthodontic treatment generally lasts

12-24months. Simple/minor tooth movements can be achieved in less than

6 months. Not all patients require full braces. Sometimes treatment is divid-

ed into two. Early, interceptive treatment (Phase I) while there are still primary

teeth present, and a 2nd phase, when all the permanent teeth have erupted.

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

Guymon Orthodontics208.898.0000meridianortho.com

GUYMON ORTHODONTICS

Would you like more information?

We would love to show you how improving your smile can improve your life.

We would like to offer you a no cost, no obligation personalized smile assess-

ment and create a customized treatment plan for you. We invite you to call

today and let us explain your options and show you how affordable orthodon-

tics can be. No referral is needed and we accept almost all insurance plans.

Call today 208-898-0000 or visit our website at Meridianortho.com