Adult Treatment
Early Treatment | Adolescent Treatment | Adult Treatment
- Is it too late to have braces if I am an adult?
- What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment for adults?
- Is it required that I be referred by my family dentist to schedule an appointment with Dr. Crise?
- How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
- What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
- What will I learn from the initial examination?
- Is there a cost for the initial examination?
- What orthodontic records are essential to properly diagnose and treat each patient's individual orthodontic problem and construct a treatment plan?
- Will I have to have any teeth removed for braces?
- How long will it take to complete treatment?
- How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
- Is orthodontic care expensive?
- Will insurance pay for treatment?
- Will I pay extra for "clear" braces?
- How often will I have appointments?
- Do braces hurt?
- What alternative do I have to wearing braces?
- What are lingual braces?
- Can I still have braces if I have missing teeth?
- Can I wear braces even though I have crowns?
- Do you give shots?
- Do you use recycled braces?
- Do I need to see my family dentist while wearing braces?
- Are there foods I cannot eat while wearing braces?
- How often should I brush my teeth while wearing braces?
- What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
- What if the emergency occurs after normal office hours?
- Will I have to wear retainers?
- Why should you choose Dr. Crise as your orthodontic specialist?
1. Is it too late to have braces if I am an adult?
No. Age is not a factor. Over 20% of our patients are adults in their 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's seeking the treatment they did not or could not have when they were younger. Technological advances in the industry have provided excellent treatment options for adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!
2. What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment for adults?
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 required to treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years.
The benefits of orthodontic treatment for adults include the following:
- Improve the smile/self confidence
- Reduce appearance-consciousness
- Improve the ability to clean crooked and crowded teeth to prevent not only tooth decay, but gum disease and tooth loss
- Treatment can be very advantageous to reduce the potential for other orthodontic problems, such as abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, excessive stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, or misalignment of the jaw joints (which may result in chronic headaches and/or pain in the face or neck). Problems such as crowding, crossbites, overbites, underbites or other alignment problems can all contribute to the above
- Eliminate or reduce discomfort which may accompany "TMJ" ("jaw joint") problems
- Correct harmful oral habits such as clenching/grinding
- Improve speech
- Develop space for crowded, impacted or blocked-out permanent teeth
- Lower the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
- Improve facial balance (the balance of the jaws)
- Improve lip closure
If you or your dentist notices a problem with your teeth it is recommended that you see an orthodontist. It is in your best interest to make the appointment. We can be reached at 972 529-9700 to inquire further about the process.
Everyone wants and deserves a beautiful smile, as well as a healthy one.
3. Is it required that I be referred by my family dentist to schedule an appointment with Dr. Crise?
No. Many patients have concerns about their health and appearance and want to be evaluated as to the need for orthodontic care. These patients take the initiative themselves to schedule an initial examination.
4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
If you think you would benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office at (972) 529-9700 and we would be happy to schedule an appointment for you. During the call to schedule your appointment, our administrative staff will gather some very basic information. We look forward to meeting you!
5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Dr. Crise will conduct a thorough examination to determine if there is a need for orthodontic treatment. She will be looking to determine if there is enough room to accommodate all the teeth, if the top teeth are lined up correctly with the bottom teeth, if any teeth are crooked or not oriented in the right position, and if there are missing or extra teeth. She will also be asking if you clench or grind your teeth and if you have experienced any jaw joint problems.
6. What will I learn from the initial examination?
There are five important questions that will be answered during the initial examination:
- Is there an orthodontic problem and if so, what is it?
- What must be done to correct the problem?
- Will any permanent teeth need to be removed?
- How long will the treatment take to complete?
- How much will the treatment cost?
In addition to these, Dr. Crise will take the time to answer any other questions you may have.
7. Is there a cost for the initial examination?
No. There is no cost for the initial examination.
8. What orthodontic records are essential to properly diagnose and treat each patient's individual orthodontic problem and construct a treatment plan?
Orthodontic Records
Orthodontic records include a panoramic x-ray, a cephalometric x-ray, models of the teeth, 3 facial photographs and 5 intra-oral photographs. Pre-treatment orthodontic records are essential for Dr. Crise to properly diagnose and treatment plan each patient's individual orthodontic problem and treatment needs. Some orthodontic records may be taken again during the course of treatment or after the completion of treatment.
A panoramic x-ray enables Dr. Crise to see the roots of the teeth and the positions of any unerupted teeth. Any missing or extra teeth will be identified on this x-ray.
Cephalometric x-rays are used by Dr. Crise to make angular and linear measurements of a patient's hard and soft tissue utilizing various landmarks. Examples include the angles of the teeth in relation to the skull and jaw structures and the assessment of the facial profile. Each patient's measurements are compared to normal values. These values help Dr. Crise to determine the best treatment approach for you.
Impressions are molds of the patient's teeth that are used to make plaster study models. Dr. Crise uses the models to help in treatment planning. Impressions are almost always made before and after orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic appliances such as expanders and retainers are made on models of your teeth.
Facial photographs enable Dr. Crise to identify and analyze various features of the face and smile. Facial asymmetries, "gummy" smiles and profile imbalances are identified using facial photographs. These pre-treatment facial photographs also provide a way to assess the progress of treatment.
Photographs of the teeth are used, along with study models, to help Dr. Crise accurately evaluate the malocclusion. These photographs are also extremely valuable to assess the progress of treatment.
9. Will I have to have any teeth removed for braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes needed to get the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are always the goal. However, today's treatment technology has resulted in advanced orthodontic procedures, the need for removing teeth has been greatly reduced.10. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment may take between 6 months to 30 months, depending on the severity of the problem, the patient's cooperation, and the degree of movement possible. Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem.
11. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until Dr. Crise has actually examined you. The exact cost and financial options will be discussed at the initial examination. We have many financing options available to meet most needs and will be happy to review them with you. We do file insurance on your behalf and we also offer a courtesy (discount) for fees paid in full as well as family discounts. Proper orthodontic treatment to correct a problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years.
12. Is orthodontic care expensive?
Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as many other consumer products. When orthodontic treatment is implemented at the proper time, treatment is often less costly than the dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later. Due to the variety of problems that we treat, the cost of orthodontic care varies from patient to patient. After your initial examination, we will review the costs involved with treatment. Financing is usually available and our office offers flexible, customized payment programs that will meet your needs. In addition, many insurance plans now include orthodontics.
13. Will insurance pay for treatment?
Today many dental policies include orthodontic benefits for adults. If you provide us with the necessary information, we will be happy to contact your insurance carrier for you to determine your orthodontic benefits. Or, if you prefer, you may contact them directly.
14. Will I pay extra for "clear" braces?
No, our practice does not charge extra for clear braces. We want you to look your best with your braces, and to feel as comfortable as possible while undergoing treatment.
15. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each individual patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every six to ten (6-10) weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, appointments may be scheduled more often. Lunchtime appointments can be made for working patients or after five appointments can be made on Monday evenings.
16. Do braces hurt?
With the latest technology, many of our patients do not report any soreness at all following most of their visits! For some visits, however, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, discomfort can be managed with medications such as ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol). We often remind our patients, it does not have to hurt to work!
17. What alternative do I have to wearing braces?
If the thought of wearing braces is all that is stopping you from getting the smile you've always wanted, we have some very good news for you. Invisalign is a breakthrough in orthodontics that uses clear, virtually undetectable tooth aligners to gradually move your teeth... without metal wires or brackets. Aligners are removable and custom-made for your teeth through the combination of our expertise and the latest in 3-dimensional computer graphic technology. Invisalign straightens your teeth without calling attention to them. Our Invisalign patients are just raving about their treatment. At your initial examination, Dr. Crise will let you know if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment.
18. What are lingual braces?
Lingual braces are mounted behind a patient's teeth (on the inside). They were popular many years ago before the advent of Invisalign and "clear" or "tooth-colored" braces. Lingual braces are seldom used anymore since they are generally less comfortable than traditional braces, require a greater number of visits to complete treatment and are more costly. In addition, some people have trouble eating and talking with lingual braces. Because of these negatives, our office does not offer lingual braces.
19. Can I still have braces if I have missing teeth?
Yes. When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth will drift into the empty space. Ultimately, this can lead to functional, esthetic and periodontal problems. Orthodontic treatment will correct and prevent these problems from happening and will also provide proper alignment for your dentist to replace the missing teeth.
20. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns?
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling.
21. Do you give shots?
No. No shots are necessary in orthodontic treatment.
22. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that patients should be provided with their own braces to achieve the very best orthodontic result possible. Dr. Crise would never use worn, used or recycled braces!!
23. Do I need to see my family dentist while wearing braces?
Yes. Regular checkups with your family dentist are very important while in braces. Your family dentist will assist you in determining how often you should be seen for cleaning appointments while you are in braces (usually every 6 months).
24. Are there foods I cannot eat while wearing braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, very complete instructions and a comprehensive list will be provided regarding foods to avoid. Many emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces can be avoided by carefully following instructions regarding foods.Click here to view a list of FOODS TO AVOID while wearing braces.
25. How often should I brush my teeth while wearing braces?
Patients should brush their teeth 2 to 3 times each day: after breakfast, lunch and before bedtime. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces on and will also provide a prescription fluoride rinse to help protect teeth during orthodontic treatment.
26. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If something happens and your braces are causing discomfort or if something is broken, you should call our office (972) 529-9700. We are available to take your emergency call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In most cases, these issues are simple to resolve over the phone and often do not require a special visit.
27. What if the emergency occurs after normal office hours?
Our office is available after normal working hours. Simply call the office and wait for the answering machine to answer. The recorded message will give you the emergency pager number where we can be reached.
28. Will I have to wear retainers?
Orthodontics is a process of moving teeth through the bone into their new positions. Once the teeth have been moved into their desired positions, retainers will be placed to maintain the correction. Once stabilization occurs, we encourage our patients to continue to wear their retainers on a nightly basis to maintain their beautiful smiles. Each patient will be taught how to wear the retainers less and less over time in order to maintain correction.
29. Why should you choose Dr. Crise as your orthodontic specialist?
Teeth and sometimes entire facial structures are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment; therefore, it is very important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Dr. Crise graduated valedictorian from Baylor Dental School and also completed 2 ½ additional years of orthodontic specialty training, also at Baylor to become an orthodontist. She is certified by the American Association of Orthodontists, the only certifying organization recognized by The American Dental Association, and she has successfully provided orthodontic treatment to hundreds of patients. Since 1997, she has published research in several orthodontic journals, has been interviewed by ABC News, and uses the best high-tech up-to-date treatment techniques.
Best of all, Dr. Crise is a warm and caring doctor who loves to be with people and especially children.
