We at Oubre Orthodontics understand how complicated orthodontics can seem to a patient. As your orthodontist and orthodontic team serving the areas in and around Lafayette and Youngsville, LA, we’re always glad to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have that are related to the orthodontic treatment process. We’ve even provided you with the answers to a list of FAQs about orthodontics. We hope this helps and that you learn something new!
What Does an Orthodontist Do?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who will diagnose and treat problems related to the alignment, position, and spacing of the teeth. Additionally, an orthodontist specialized in dentofacial orthopedics and can treat other irregularities with the jaw or the face. Your Youngsville and Lafayette, LA orthodontist at Oubre Orthodontics can use a variety of special orthodontic treatments, such as braces and Invisalign, to correct these problems.
Why Should I Undergo Orthodontic Treatment?
The two main reasons for undergoing orthodontic treatment are to improve the look of your smile and to improve the function of your bite. While you’re probably well aware of all the benefits that having a more attractive smile can provide, having a more functional bite can make it easier to keep your teeth clean, lead to improved oral health, and even lead to improved overall health as well.
When’s the Best Time to Visit an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children come in for a first visit at around the age of seven. This is typically when a child’s molars emerge, allowing the orthodontist to have a clearer picture of what his or her bite will look like. Having said that, there’s really no bad time to visit the orthodontist either. You’re never too old to begin orthodontic treatment so if you’re interested in improving your smile, you’re always welcome to visit our Lafayette LA office.
How Do I Know If I Have a Bite Problem?
Some of the common signs that there’s a bite problem include teeth that are protruding, crowded, or erupting out of position. Some less obvious signs that orthodontic treatment may be needed include mouth breathing, thumb sucking that lasts past the age of four, speech difficulties, or frequent biting of the cheek or palate. Also, if the teeth don’t meet properly when the mouth closes or the jaw makes sounds or shifts as it moves, there may be an orthodontic problem.
Do Braces Hurt?
No need to worry – the procedure of having your braces put on is painless! You shouldn’t feel any pain throughout the entire treatment, though you might experience some minor soreness for the first few days after the braces have been put on or they’ve been adjusted. Thankfully, this will typically go away after a short period of time. If needed, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to alleviate any discomfort.
How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?
Unfortunately, there’s no real timetable we can give as it will vary greatly from one patient to the next. Orthodontic treatment will generally take anywhere from six to 30 months. After it’s finished, you’ll then need to wear a retainer for an indefinite period of time.
How Often Do I Need to Visit My Orthodontist?
Again, there’s really no clear estimate that we can make as it’ll depend on the patient’s orthodontic condition and what’s being done. During your active treatment, you’ll typically have to come in to see your orthodontist somewhere around once every four to ten weeks
Will I Need to Have Any of My Teeth Extracted?
Tooth extraction may be necessary if your teeth are severely crowded or if you have impacted teeth. For younger patients, undergoing early treatment can sometimes make tooth extraction unneeded.
Will I Have to Avoid Any Foods?
If you’re wearing braces, you’ll have to avoid any foods that are hard or sticky. Hard foods can potentially break the wires and brackets of your braces while sticky foods can sometimes get caught in your braces, causing them to loosen or even come off completely.
Can I Still Play Sports or Instruments?
Yes to both. However, if you’re going to play sports, we recommend wearing an orthodontic mouthguard. If you’re a musician, you’ll generally be able to play any instruments just as you did before, but a short adjustment period may be required to get used to playing while you’re wearing orthodontics.
Will I Need to Keep Seeing My Dentist?
Yes. Your dentist will help keep your teeth free of plaque and help you avoid cavities and other dental problems that may complicate your orthodontic treatment.
Will I Need to Wear a Retainer After Orthodontic Treatment?
In pretty much every scenario, the answer is yes. If you don’t wear a retainer, your teeth may end up shifting back into unfavorable positions, erasing all the hard work that you put in during your orthodontic treatment.
Is Orthodontics Expensive?
While it’s true that orthodontics isn’t cheap, it’s a long-term investment toward your health and well-being. A straight smile is also a healthy smile and fixing any orthodontic problems at an earlier date can sometimes save you money in the long run. Additionally, to make it more affordable for our patients, we offer many financing options.
Contact Your Lafayette and Youngsville, LA Orthodontist!
Do you have any further questions for us? If you do, please feel free to contact us and we’ll be glad to answer them for you! If you’d like to schedule an appointment with your Lafayette and Youngsville, LA orthodontist for braces, Invisalign, or any of our other treatments, give us a call at (337) 988-2025. We can’t wait to hear from you!