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Orthodontic FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontics
- All
- 3M Victory Bracket System
- Adults Orthodontics
- AO Mini Master Braces
- Custom Clear Aligners
- General Orthodontics
- Invisalign
- Kids Orthodontics
- Teen Orthodontics
Orthodontics (also referred to as dentofacial orthopedics) is a specialized form of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received two to three years of additional training and experience. Your orthodontist is able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure, and improve the function of your smile.
- ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day.
- Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your orthodontist or family dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities!
- If you take out your retainer to eat, make sure you brush your teeth, floss, and remember to keep it safe in its container so that it does not get lost or broken.
- Keep your retainer clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You may also soak it in a denture cleaner as instructed by your orthodontist. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or in the dishwasher.
- During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar, which increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and possibly cavities.
- Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes), or any foods that could possibly get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, soft bagels, ribs, taffy, etc.).
- Be sure to schedule your routine checkups with your family dentist. It is recommended that you continue to visit the dentist every six months.
The amount of time spent in braces will vary depending on the individual patient, because every smile responds differently to treatment. Treatment times can take anywhere between six and 30 months, but most standard treatments take about 22 months.
Braces do not often hurt though you may feel a small amount of discomfort for a couple days as your teeth, gums, cheeks, and mouth get used to your new braces.
With braces, you should brush your teeth at least three times a day to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and clean. Brushing regularly will help remove any food that may be caught between the braces. You should also floss daily to get in between your braces where your brush isn’t able to reach. Your orthodontist can show you how to properly brush and floss once your braces are placed.
Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up that can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.
Simply call our practice! Our front desk staff will be happy to help schedule your next appointment at your convenience. If you are a new patient or have been referred to our practice, please let us know and we will provide you with all of the information you need.
If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great age to see the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens, with about one in every five orthodontic patients being over the age of 21. Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any time is a good time to visit the orthodontist.
By age seven, most children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. An early evaluation allows Dr. Hong to evaluate their jaw growth and emerging teeth, making it easier to identify and intercept potential issues before they become severe.
Phase I treatment is proactive orthodontic care for young children. It aims to create space for developing teeth, correct harmful oral habits, and properly guide jaw growth, which often reduces the likelihood of needing extractions or severe bite corrections later.
While Phase I treatment can significantly simplify or shorten future orthodontic work, most children will still require a comprehensive Phase II treatment (like full braces or aligners) once all their permanent adult teeth have fully erupted.
Common signs that your child might benefit from an evaluation include early or late loss of baby teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, crowded or misplaced teeth, and jaws that shift or make sounds.
Playing an instrument or a contact sport may require some adjustment when you first get your braces, but wearing braces will not stop you from participating in any of your school activities. If you play a contact sport, it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your braces or appliance.
Teens at Arch Orthodontics have several great options, including traditional metal braces (like the AO Mini Master system), clear ceramic braces (3M Clarity), and removable clear aligners (like Invisalign® or our custom Arch Ortho aligners).
Treatment time varies depending on the complexity of your bite and how closely you follow Dr. Hong’s instructions (like wearing your rubber bands!). On average, teen treatments last between 12 and 24 months.
You can still enjoy most of your favorite foods, but you will need to temporarily avoid hard, sticky, and chewy items like caramel, hard candies, popcorn, and chewing gum, as these can easily break your brackets.
Most adjustment appointments are quick (about 20-30 minutes) and occur every 4 to 8 weeks. We do our best to offer flexible scheduling so you can visit before or after school hours, or during a free period.
Absolutely not! Healthy teeth can be moved at any age. In fact, about one in five orthodontic patients today is an adult. It is never too late to invest in a healthier, more confident smile.
Many adults prefer less noticeable treatments for professional or personal reasons. We offer clear ceramic braces, such as 3M Clarity brackets, and completely clear, removable options like Invisalign® and our in-house clear aligners.
Yes. Modern orthodontic technology allows for longer intervals between appointments and faster adjustment times. Clear aligners, in particular, require fewer in-office visits, making them perfect for busy professionals.
Depending on the severity of the crowding or bite issues, adult treatment can range from just 6 months for minor cosmetic adjustments to over two years for comprehensive bite correction.
The physical process of moving teeth is the same, and the mild discomfort experienced is similar for both adults and kids. Any initial tenderness typically subsides within a few days and can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners to gradually and predictably shift your teeth into their ideal positions. You will swap out each set of aligners for the next one in the series every one to two weeks.
For the best and fastest results, Invisalign aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. You should only remove them to eat, drink anything other than plain water, brush, and floss.
Yes, for most patients, Invisalign is just as effective as traditional braces for correcting crowding, spacing, and many complex bite issues. Dr. Hong will evaluate your specific needs during your consultation to confirm if you are a candidate.
You can clean your aligners by brushing them gently with a soft toothbrush and water, or by using specialized Invisalign cleaning crystals. Avoid using hot water, as the heat can warp the plastic.
You might experience a slight lisp for the first day or two as your tongue gets used to the aligners taking up space in your mouth. However, this is temporary, and your speech will quickly return to normal.
The 3M Victory Series is a highly trusted, traditional metal bracket system used to correct a wide variety of orthodontic issues. It is renowned for its clinical durability, reliable performance, and patient-friendly design.
Unlike the bulky metal braces of the past, 3M Victory brackets feature a much lower profile and smooth, contoured edges. This modern design significantly improves patient comfort and reduces irritation to the inner cheeks and lips.
Yes! The 3M Victory brackets are designed to securely hold colorful elastic ties. You can choose different colors at every adjustment appointment to customize your smile or celebrate holidays.
Absolutely. Traditional metal brackets like the 3M Victory series are often the preferred choice for treating severe crowding, deep bites, and complex alignment issues because they offer maximum, continuous control over tooth movement.
You should brush at least three times a day and floss daily using a floss threader or water flosser. Because brackets can trap food particles, paying close attention to your oral hygiene is crucial for preventing plaque buildup.
AO Mini Master brackets, manufactured by American Orthodontics, are premium metal braces designed to be visually discreet and highly comfortable. They offer the impressive strength of traditional braces but in a significantly smaller size.
They feature a footprint that is about 25% to 30% smaller than traditional twin brackets. This smaller size makes them far less noticeable on your teeth and much easier to navigate with a toothbrush.
Not at all. Despite their reduced size, they are engineered from high-grade stainless steel to deliver the precise, steady forces needed to efficiently move your teeth into their correct positions.
Yes. Because they sit closer to the tooth surface and feature smooth, rounded edges, patients typically experience much less friction and irritation on the soft tissues of their mouth.
They are an excellent option for patients of all ages (children, teens, and adults) who require the durability of metal braces but prefer a more streamlined and less intrusive appliance.
These are specialized, clear aligners planned and fabricated entirely in-house by Dr. Hong using advanced digital software. They offer a highly personalized approach to teeth straightening without relying on third-party labs or direct-to-consumer brands.
Unlike direct-to-consumer kits, our custom aligners are directly guided by a board-certified orthodontist. You receive professional, in-person monitoring, comprehensive diagnostic X-rays, and customized adjustments to ensure your teeth move safely.
It starts with a comfortable digital scan of your teeth, no messy impression putty required! Dr. Hong then uses 3D software to map out your tooth movements and fabricates your custom sequence of clear aligners right here in our office.
Custom clear aligners are fantastic for mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and orthodontic relapse (when teeth shift after previous braces). For more severe or complex bite corrections, Dr. Hong will evaluate if this is the best option for you during your consultation.
Because they are designed and printed by our own team, we have ultimate quality control, incredibly fast turnaround times for creating your trays, and the flexibility to make immediate adjustments to your treatment plan if needed.