OFFICE HOURS

Our main Suffolk office's regular hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00PM Monday - Thursday. It is also closed at times when the doctor and staff are away attending continuing education programs to increase our skills and keep current on the latest information and developments in orthodontics.

APPOINTMENTS

Appointments are scheduled approximately every 4-8 weeks once you get your braces. We reserve a special time for you at each appointment. Most appointments are made during school hours, as everyone cannot be seen after school; we rotate these after school times amongst our patients. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call us no later than the day before during normal business hours, if possible and if not, kindly leave a message on our phone voice mail. We will reschedule you as soon as possible. The office phone number is 757-925-0407. Thank you for planning for your appointments and keeping them.

CHANGES

During the course of your treatment, please advise the receptionist of any change or updates in medical status, date of last cleaning, name of dentist (if it has changed), address, telephone number, marital status, employment or insurance coverage.

FINANCIAL POLICY

In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care possible, we have established the following as our financial policy:

Orthodontic treatment fees may vary since the fees are determined by the extent of each patient's problem and the treatment protocol to address the correction. The number and timing of your orthodontic appointments may vary, but regular monthly payments are expected as per the financial contract.

If damaged or broken appliances become excessive, additional charges will apply for replaced parts or appliances, or for prolonged treatment. In case of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate our patients with temporary difficulties.

We realize that every person's financial situation is different. For this reason we have worked hard to provide a variety of payment options to help you receive orthodontic therapy. We want you to enjoy a healthy and confident smile, with respect to your budget.

INSURANCE

If your insurance policy offers orthodontic coverage, we will help you determine the coverage that you have available. We are happy to provide you the service of completing your insurance forms, with all the information needed for your insurance company to process your claim. This will help you receive the maximum benefit payment available under your policy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialized form of dentistry, focusing on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental malocclusion(irregularities in the alignment of teeth and/or the bite relationship), temporal mandibular disorder( TMJ) and facial abnormalities.
2) Who is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has undergone an additional 2-3 years of focused training and experience in the specialty of orthodontics. An orthodontist is able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure, and improve the function and appearance of your smile.
3) What‘s the best age to visit an orthodontist?
Any age can be a great age to visit an orthodontist to improve the look and feel of your smile. However , the American Association of Orthodontist recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of 7.
4) If I get braces, how long do I need to wear them?
The amount of time spent in braces will vary depending on the individual patient. Every smile responds differently to treatment, and some patients require a greater amount of tooth movement. The average treatment time is 24-30 months, but treatments can be much shorter or longer.
5) Do Braces hurt?
When you get your braces on , you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressure for 3-5 days. The lips, cheeks, and tongue may also be irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this.
6) Am going to gag?
Gag reflexes are normal. We take this into account when we do impressions or placement of appliances. If you have a strong gag reflex, let us know at your consultation.
7) Does it taste bad?
Some of the products we use have a sour or bitter taste , but it is only temporary.
8) How long does it take to get my braces on?
Appointment times vary according to what is being done. Customarily it can take 1 to 2 ½ hours.
9) Do I need to brush my teeth more often if I have braces?
With braces , you should brush your teeth at least 3 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 floss daily to get in between your braces where your brush isn’t able to reach. We will show you how to properly brush and floss once your braces are placed.
10) If I have braces, do I still need dental checkups every six months?
YES! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may get caught in places your tooth brush can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay healthy and clean.
11) Will my braces interfere with my school activities such as sports, playing an instrument, or singing?
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 we recommend that you wear a mouth guard to protect your braces or appliance.
12) Can I chew gum?
You will be given a list of foods to avoid during the course of your treatment. In general you want to avoid hard or sticky foods that could damage your braces or wires-this includes gum.
13) What can I eat?
For the first day or so stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables .Before long, you will be able to bite a cucumber again but you’ll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat as long as you are in treatment.
14) How long do I have to wear my retainer?
We will instruct you on your retainer after your braces have been removed. Customarily, we request that you wear your retainers full time for the first 6-12 months and nightly for another year .