Orthodontics FAQ
You have questions? We have answers! We believe patient education is key to creating beautiful results in the shortest amount of time.If you don’t see your question here, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Whether you’re seeking orthodontics for yourself, or for your child, we have treatment options to suit every lifestyle.
At Soul Orthodontics, we provide Invisalign® clear aligners, clear braces and traditional metal braces. (Explore all types of braces!)
On your first visit to our office, we can help you decide which treatment option is the best match for you.
The AAO recommends that children receive their first orthodontic screening by age 7. Early screenings are essential for detecting problematic orthodontic conditions before they progress.
Through early detection and early intervention of orthodontic problems, we can minimize the need for future treatment. Conditions that are left untreated can be more challenging to correct in the teen or adult years and may require a more complex treatment, like corrective jaw surgery.
Early orthodontic screenings enable us to intervene with problematic conditions and take the necessary steps to establish a healthy foundation for a beautiful set of permanent teeth to grow.
We won’t know this until Dr. Albert completes your assessment. Orthodontic appliances are used for a number of reasons, like widening the jaw to create enough space for all teeth or guiding the jaws into alignment to correct a bite condition (overbite, underbite, open bite or cross bite.)
If you or your child requires an orthodontic appliance, Dr. Albert will explain everything you need to know!
Not every person needs orthodontic treatment, but those who do can experience a significant and permanent improvement in their quality of life.
The alignment of your teeth and jaws impacts most aspects of your life, from your facial appearance and self-confidence, to your chewing and breathing functions. The benefits of orthodontics go far beyond a beautiful smile (but a beautiful smile is a life-changing benefit too!)
The cost of Invisalign and the cost of braces are calculated based on your case complexity.
On your first visit, we’ll present our flexible financing options and work with you to create a plan that suits your budget. We offer 0%-interest in-house financing to help you manage your out-of-pocket costs.
We’ll also calculate your insurance benefit if you have insurance, and match you with any discount opportunities - pay-in-full discount, family member discount, and more!
Yes! Dental cleanings are still extremely important. We want to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy throughout treatment. Visit your dentist for professional cleanings every 6 months or however often your dentist advises.
Dr. Albert is happy to coordinate with your dentist on any needs throughout your treatment as well.
Your treatment plan will be completely personalized to you and your needs! The length of your treatment will be determined based on the severity of your condition and treatment goals, but can also be impacted by your diligence in wearing any removable appliances (including clear aligners.)
On your first visit, Dr. Albert will assess your smile and give you an estimated treatment length. This can range anywhere from 6 months to 36 months, but the average full treatment time ranges between 12 to 24 months.
By following Dr. Albert’s instructions, wearing your Invisalign aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day and maintaining excellent oral hygiene, we can minimize your treatment length as much as possible.
In the event of an ‘orthodontic emergency’, please call our office as soon as possible and we’ll make time to see you. We want to fix the situation and help you stay on track in your transformation.
If a bracket breaks, try to put it in a ziploc bag if possible and bring it to your appointment. If you lose your clear aligners, wear your most recent set of clear aligners if you have them. Call us and let us know that you lost your clear aligners or retainer, and we’ll guide you on next steps.
No matter your age, the answer is no. You’re never too old to start living your most confident life. Ready to find your confidence at 82 years young? We’re all in!
This is why we perform a complimentary exam. During your orthodontic exam with Dr. Albert, we’ll thoroughly assess your condition (including x-rays) and discuss any orthodontic-related symptoms you may be experiencing.
Through this assessment, we can determine whether you need orthodontic treatment. In the meantime, here are some signs you can look out for to determine whether you need treatment:
- You have crowding or spacing
- You’re not confident in your smile
- You have difficulty breathing, or you mouth-breathe often
- You have difficulty sleeping
- You feel pain when opening or closing your mouth
- Your jaw pops or clicks when opening your mouth
- Your teeth overlap
- Your top teeth overlap your bottom teeth
- Your bottom teeth overlap your top teeth
- You experience persistent soreness in your teeth or gums
See common orthodontic problems!
