We are proud to announce that all Dental Care for Children locations are now accepting assignment.
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We are proud to announce that all Dental Care for Children locations are now accepting assignment.
What to expect at your Orthodontic Consultation
Your initial orthodontic consultation in our office allows us to learn about you and your specific orthodontic needs. We will discuss your concerns and gather critical diagnostic information, which usually consists of digital x-rays and photos, important jaw measurements, and 3D digital study models of your teeth and bite. Information from your first visit, when combined with input from your dentist or referring specialist, will allow Dr. Good to prepare your individualized and comprehensive treatment plan. The doctor and our knowledgeable treatment coordinator will discuss your treatment details with you, and will assist you in scheduling a follow-up appointment to get started.
Financial Information
We understand that orthodontic treatment is a sizable investment. We will provide you exceptional treatment that fits your budget. We do not want finances to stand in the way of your treatment goals.
Initial down payment followed by equal monthly payments (interest-free)
You may deduct a pre-determined percentage of your treatment fee if you pay in full before the treatment begins
We can charge your monthly fee automatically via bank draft
Many dental insurance policies will cover a portion of orthodontic treatment. During your initial consultation, we will review your orthodontic coverage and explain your benefits to you. Once treatment begins, we will gladly help with your insurance claim on your behalf to make sure your benefits are maximized. To expedite your insurance filing, please be sure to provide your insurance information prior to your initial exam.
Before starting active orthodontic treatment, we want you to understand all aspects of the commitment. Your treatment will not move forward without your active participation in appointment attendance and proper oral hygiene.
When active orthodontic treatment begins, each patient is seen every 4 to 16 weeks. We anticipate that some of these appointments will conflict with work or school schedules. We understand that your time is valuable and limited so we have arranged our office hours to increase available appointment times. As with any schedule, some appointment times will be more popular than others. Please note that all appointments are made on a first-come first-served basis.
Throughout your treatment, the majority of appointments will be pleasantly short, ranging 10 to 30 minutes. This includes most routine checks, adjustments, and emergencies. There are a few appointments that will take more time. These are the initial placement of braces and Invisalign, fine-tuning of bracket placement or refinement aligners midway through treatment, and finally, the removal of braces or Invisalign. These longer appointments may need to be scheduled during school and work hours.
Dr. Good utilizes state-of-the-art technology and treatment methods that straighten teeth efficiently and require fewer office visits. We are committed to providing you with the best orthodontic service available and to make your treatment as convenient as possible.
We understand that emergencies can arise and interfere with your scheduled appointments. In order to keep your treatment on schedule, we will always do our best to make up your appointment as soon as possible; if time permits, we will make exceptions for late or missed appointments, as long as it does not compromise our ability to complete other scheduled procedures. Recurrent missed appointments inevitably result in extension of your treatment time and may also result in additional charges. All missed appointments should be rescheduled as soon as possible.
We ask for at least 48 hours notice to reschedule an appointment, as we have set aside time to accommodate your specific needs. Numerous appointment changes will inevitably result in extension of your treatment time and may result in additional charges. Our goal in rescheduling appointments is to keep your treatment progressing and on time. Waiting for a convenient after school or work appointment can delay treatment. Vacations, summer hours, holidays and educational seminars may alter our schedule during the year.
Additional Information
You’re in the best of hands. Here are some additional recommendations for making the most out of your treatment plan.
During orthodontic treatment please be sure to continue seeing your general dentist every three to six months for your general dental needs and cleanings. Additionally, one of the most important things a person can do to achieve a beautiful smile is to brush and floss properly every day. One of our trained assistants will instruct you how to properly clean your braces or aligners and teeth. Additionally, on every visit to the office we will inform you of how well you are doing on your brushing and flossing. If needed, we will show you the areas you are missing and ensure that you have all hygiene tools you need.
You will notice that it is more difficult to keep your teeth clean with braces. The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile is by brushing and flossing. Food particles can accumulate on teeth and in braces, and over time, turn into plaque. If plaque remains on the teeth for any length of time, it will leave a permanent white scar on the surface on the teeth. The bacteria that results from this accumulation can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and even loss of teeth. To avoid these problems while you are in orthodontic treatment, take special care of your braces, teeth and gums to ensure you will have the best possible result.
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gums. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth, between braces and the surface of each tooth. It will take you two min
more to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth and the outside, inside and chewing surface of your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse.
Brush your teeth four times daily to avoid the accumulation of food particles in your teeth and braces:
You may need to replace your toothbrush more often due to your appliances. As soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. It may be difficult for your toothbrush to reach some areas under your archwire. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you finish brushing. Also, it is important to floss and use an antibacterial mouthwash and fluoride treatment throughout your orthodontic treatment and beyond for optimal oral hygiene.
There are four target areas when brushing your teeth with braces:
1. Where the teeth meet the gum— Point the brush toward the gums. This will allow the bristles to sweep away plaque. Jiggle the toothbrush 8 times per tooth.
2. Top of the braces — With firm pressure, brush the top of the braces. When brushing the top of the braces be sure the bristles go under the wire and between the brackets.
3. Bottom of the braces — With firm pressure, brush the bottom of the braces. When brushing the bottom of the braces be sure the bristles go under the wire and between brackets.
4. Where the teeth meet the gums on the tongue side — Point the brush towards the gums; this will allow the bristles to sweep away plaque.
For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, use dental floss to remove food particles and plaque. Flossing takes more time and patience when you are wearing braces, but it is important to floss your teeth every day.
Use the reusable floss threader provided by our office to floss under your archwire daily. Pull a small length of floss from the dispenser through the threader and slide it up and down along the front of each tooth. You will be able to feel when the tooth is clean and hear the squeak of the floss against your clean teeth. Use care around your archwire and do not floss too forcefully around it or put too much pressure on it. After you floss between your archwire and braces, floss between your other teeth and gums.
Floss at night to make sure your teeth are clean before you go to bed. When you first begin flossing around your braces, your gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does not go away after the first few times, inform a staff member at your next appointment.
1. Threader Floss — Some people find this combined floss and built-in threader tip to be easier to use. Each person needs to use what feels most comfortable. Please floss between each tooth – Whether it has a brace on it or not!
2. Bridge Aid Dental Floss Threader — Thread the floss through the eye of the Floss Threader. Slip the threader under the wire with one hand while holding one end of the floss with the other hand. Once floss is under the wire, floss between teeth.
3. Water Flosser (like Waterpik) — Using a water flosser with braces can help remove food particles and plaque around brackets or underneath wires. Water flossing does not take the place of dental floss, but can help keep your teeth extra clean.
The use of the interproximal, or “Christmas tree”, brush can be a useful supplement to the regular toothbrush. It has a small brush head that can be bent in any direction for hard to reach areas. Use the brush to clean between brackets, under the wire, or around other appliances.
Rinsing with fluoride is imperative when wearing braces or aligners. The use of topical fluoride is for the protection of exposed tooth enamel. Fluoride helps protect the teeth from decalcification (the formation of white spots on teeth that indicate the beginning stages of cavities). It is important to use topical fluoride every day and not to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after using the fluoride. Be sure to brush prior to applying the fluoride.
Eating with Braces
The adhesive used to attach the braces to your teeth cures rapidly initially, but can take up to 24 hours to completely adhere. You can eat any time after leaving our office, but we ask that you are mindful of the suggested eating list below. Until you become accustomed to eating with your braces, you may find it beneficial to follow a diet consisting of soft foods. For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. You will need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you are wearing braces.
Foods & Habits to Avoid
General Soreness
When wires are first applied to braces, some patients feel general soreness and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to seven days. If the tenderness is severe, take ibuprofen or whatever you normally take for a headache or similar pain. Our advanced wires are thermo-activated and become stiffer as the warm temperatures of the mouth heat them. To lessen wire-
related tension and soreness, try drinking a cup of cold water to lower the temperature of the wires and, hence, relax the wires.
For abrasions that are a result of the lips or cheek rubbing against the appliances, a warm saltwater rinse can relieve this soreness. Dissolve 1 teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. The lips, cheeks, and tongue may also become irritated as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. To lessen the discomfort, you can put wax on the braces causing the irritation. We’ll show you how!
Loosening of Teeth
Mild to moderate loosening of teeth is to be expected throughout treatment. This is normal, since teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new, corrected positions.
Athletics
If you play sports, it’s important that you consult us for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing contact sports. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, call our office for an appointment. In the meantime, treat your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.
Have more questions? Our team is here to help!
