Orthodontic FAQs

ABO Board Certification is a voluntary credential that represents an orthodontist’s personal and public commitment to the standards of specialty practice and lifelong learning. The ABO Certification process requires the completion of peer-developed, externally validated written and clinical examinations. A Board Certified Orthodontist has reached this level of achievement by pursuing additional voluntary education and ongoing self- assessment.

Board Certification is confirmation of an orthodontist’s personal commitment to providing lifelong quality patient care.

The American Board of Orthodontics is partnered with the American Association of Orthodontists and is recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards as the national certifying board for Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an evaluation by age 7. This doesn’t always mean treatment will start right away, but it allows us to monitor growth and intervene early if needed.

Many patients begin treatment in their early teen years, but healthy teeth can be moved at any age — orthodontic care is just as effective for adults. In short: it’s never too early or too late to start.

Getting braces placed does not hurt. However, you may feel some soreness or pressure for a few days after adjustments or when starting new aligners.

This is normal and temporary. To stay comfortable:

• Eat softer foods for a day or two
• Use orthodontic wax for irritation
• Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed

Most patients adjust quickly and barely notice their braces after the first few days.

Treatment time varies depending on your specific needs.

On average:

• Most treatments last 12-24  months
• Some are shorter, others longer depending on complexity

Wearing elastics as instructed and keeping regular appointments helps keep treatment on schedule.

• Braces: Typically every 6–8 weeks
• Clear aligners: Often every 8–12 weeks

We also offer flexible scheduling to make visits as convenient as possible.

Yes!

• For sports, we recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth and braces.
• For musical instruments, there may be a short adjustment period, but most patients adapt quickly.

We’re happy to offer tips to make both activities comfortable.

You’ll want to avoid foods that are hard, sticky, or crunchy, such as:

• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Hard or sticky candies

If you’re wearing clear aligners, there are no food restrictions, but aligners should always be removed before eating.

For a full list and helpful tips, visit our Oral Hygiene with Braces page.

Good hygiene is essential during treatment:

• Brush at least twice a day
• Floss daily using threaders or a water flosser
• Use fluoride toothpaste or rinse

We’ll provide guidance and tools to help make this easy. You can also visit our Oral Hygiene page for step-by-step tips.

Don’t worry — this is common and usually not an emergency.

• Contact our office so we can schedule a repair or replacement.
• Use orthodontic wax if something feels irritating.

If you lose an aligner, we may recommend wearing the previous or next one depending on your situation.

No referral is needed. You can contact our office directly to schedule a consultation at any time.

The cost of treatment depends on your individual needs and treatment plan. During your consultation, we’ll review all options and explain pricing clearly.

We also offer flexible payment plans and financing options to make treatment affordable.

Learn more on our Financing & Insurance page.