faq


	What is orthodontics?	When should my child have their first visit?
	How can I tell if I have an orthodontic problem?	How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
	How long does orthodontic treatment take?	Will I have to have teeth extracted?
	Will insurance cover my treatment?	What are my responsibilities in being part of Dr. Fischer's team?
	Will I have to wear headgear or elastics?	What about my wisdom teeth?
	Do I still see my family dentist while I'm wearing braces?	What foods can I not eat?
	Do braces hurt?	What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment?
	What is a retainer and how long do I wear it?	How do you become an orthodontist?


*What is orthodontics?*
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion," which means "bad bite." The practice of orthodontics requires professional skill in the diagnosis, application and control of corrective appliances (braces) to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment and achieve facial balance.
How can I tell if I have an orthodontic problem?
Do you have: Crowded and/or overlapping teeth? Spacing between teeth? Difficulty in chewing? Soreness of the jaws? Buck teeth (dental protrusion)? Bleeding gums? Deep overbite? Open bite? Mouth breathing? "Clicking" of jaws during opening? Speech impediments?

*When should my child have their first visit?*
The American Dental Association recommends that a child’s first visit to the family dentist be between the ages of 6 months and 12 months, while the child’s baby teeth are erupting. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child’s first visit to an orthodontist take place when an orthodontic problem is first detected, whether it is a jaw problem, tooth problem, or both. This first orthodontic checkup should be NO LATER THAN AGE 7. At Dr. Fischer’s office, there is no charge for this initial visit.
*How long does orthodontic treatment take?*
Six months to 3 years. The average case is 21 - 23 months.
*How much does orthodontic treatment cost?*
The actual cost of orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of the problem and how long treatment will take. At Dr. Fischer’s office, we offer several different payment plans to fit within your budget. When you consider the cost of orthodontic treatment, consider the LIFE LONG BENEFITS of a healthy and beautiful smile. Many patients feel it’s the best investment they ever made.
*Will insurance cover my treatment?*
Many employer-provided benefit plans now include orthodontic coverage for just a few extra dollars a month. This has helped many people offset the cost of treatment. Most insurance companies that include orthodontic coverage usually pay a portion of orthodontic costs, varying up to $2,500.00 lifetime maximum coverage per individual. For your convenience, Dr. Fischer's office will be happy to submit whatever insurance forms your company provides and work with both you and your insurance company. Please bring your company's forms with you on your initial visit. Please note: we do not accept MassHealth.
*Will I have to have teeth extracted?*
Many times, due to an extreme protrusion of the upper teeth or under bite involving the lower teeth, extractions will be necessary to help correct the orthodontic problem. Also, patients with extreme dental crowding will need to have some teeth extracted in order to provide room to bring the rest of the teeth into a healthy and attractive alignment. Rest assured Dr. Fischer is very conservative when it comes to having teeth extracted and only recommends extractions when absolutely necessary.
Will I have to wear headgear or elastics?
Many patients who have a protrusion of the upper front teeth ("buck teeth") will benefit from wearing a headgear appliance at night (NOT TO SCHOOL). The headgear puts a backward force on the upper teeth, which not only will help correct the bite, but also reduce the protrusion AND many times save the patient from having teeth extracted. Elastics are the "motor" of braces and provide forces to move teeth. They are worn in different ways depending on what direction Dr. Fischer needs to have the teeth move. Most of Dr. Fischer's patients do wear elastics at some time during their treatment. Elastics come in many different sizes and even different colors!
*What are my responsibilities in being part of Dr. Fischer's team?*
The correction of an orthodontic problem is a joint effort between the orthodontist and the patient. Adjustment of orthodontic appliances will take place on a routine four to six weeks basis. In between appointments, patient responsibilities include keeping the braces immaculately clean, avoiding hard and sticky foods, maintaining the braces in good order, and following Dr. Fischer's recommendations at all times. Optimum patient cooperation will assure the most successful treatment result in the shortest treatment time. All must work together for a beautiful and healthy smile. Dr. Fischer and his highly trained staff look forward to working with you to obtain the nicest results possible.
*Do I still see my family dentist while I'm wearing braces?*
Regular visits to the family dentist every 4-6 months should continue during orthodontic treatment. Proper dental care and home oral hygiene remain important.
*What about my wisdom teeth?*
In about three out of four cases where teeth have not been removed during orthodontic treatment, there are good reasons to have the wisdom teeth removed, usually when a person reaches his or her mid- to late-teen years. Careful studies have shown that wisdom teeth may cause or contribute to the progressive crowding of lower incisor teeth that can develop in the late teen years and beyond. Dr. Fischer, in consultation with your family dentist, can determine the spacing requirements for your wisdom teeth.
*Do braces hurt?*
Teeth may be a little tender after major adjustments. The good news is that the new techniques and the materials used by the orthodontic specialist today not only have greatly decreased the discomfort of wearing braces but also have decreased the frequency of office visits and overall treatment.
*What foods can I not eat?*
Certain treats such as peanut brittle, caramels, and bubble gum are off limits. The general rule of thumb is nothing hard, sticky or chewy. You will be provided with a list of foods to avoid.
*What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment?*
Everyone wants a beautiful smile and everyone should have a healthy smile. The orthodontist’s goal is to achieve both for the patient. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This may contribute to conditions that cause not only tooth decay but also eventual gum disease and tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, or misalignment of the jaw joints with resulting chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck. When left untreated, many orthodontic problems become worse. Treatment by a specialist to correct the original problem is often less costly than the additional dental care (i.e. bridgework, gum surgery, etc.) required to treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years. The importance of a healthy and attractive smile should not be underestimated. A pleasing appearance is a vital asset to one’s self-confidence. A person’s self-esteem often improves as a treatment brings teeth, lips and face into harmony. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success as well as improve one’s general attitude toward life.
*How do you become an orthodontist?*
After four years of college (in a pre-med/pre-dent major with terrific grades), one then spends the next four years in dental school. Only the students who graduate in the top 10% of their class will be able to be accepted into an orthodontic specialty program and will spend the next 2 -3 years in advanced study and training to become an orthodontic specialist.
*What is a retainer and how long do I wear it?*
After the braces are removed, a patient will wear a retainer for some time to keep the teeth in their new positions. The length of time the retainer will be worn depends on the original orthodontic problem. Normally the retainer is worn full time (except while eating and brushing) for the first three weeks - after which it is worn bedtime until Dr. Fischer determines otherwise.