Braces FAQ

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends little ones receive an orthodontic screening by the age of 7. At this point, some of the permanent teeth have come in and we can observe their growth and development and keep an eye out for any issues.

Nope! While we certainly welcome referrals from dentists and other specialists, they’re not required. You can give us a call or book your in-office consultation online and we’ll set you up with your first appointment.

Malocclusion is the technical term for a bad bite. Underbites, overbites, crossbites, openbites, spacing and crowding are all types of malocclusions. Dr. Yoo is specially trained to prevent, diagnose and treat malocclusion for a beautiful, healthy smile.

If you want stable, dramatic results then, yes, you really need to see an orthodontist. Treatment can permanently alter your teeth and facial structures, so it’s important that your treatment is customized and appropriate for your case. That’s where a certified specialist in orthodontics comes in. They have the advanced training and expertise to come up with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan in order to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

No. We have yet to see that happen. In fact, the space available for the front teeth tends to decrease with age.

You’ll be greeted by our friendly staff and you’ll get to check out our office. We’ll take some photos and x-rays, if necessary, and Dr. Yoo will conduct an examination of your mouth, teeth, jaws and face. The doctor will explain your options, answer your questions and go over things like the cost and financing choices. Once they have the opportunity to review your diagnostic records, they can develop a comprehensive treatment plan suited to your needs.

We do everything we can to avoid extractions. Plus, new technology and advanced treatments can often let us achieve awesome results without removing any teeth. However, in some cases, extracting teeth is only way to get the results you want.

The pain-free process usually takes about 1 – 1.5 hours. First, Dr. Yoo will clean your teeth and dry them off. Then, they apply the special bonding glue and stick on the brackets. Finally, they’ll run the archwire through the brackets and secure everything in place with elastics or ties. If you’re wearing self-ligating braces, which are tie-less, we’ll skip that part. When we’re finished, we’ll give you a primer on how to care for your braces and send you on your way.

Yup! You can go straight to work or school after your orthodontic appointment.

Nope! Breathe a sigh of relief because shots aren’t necessary during treatment.

Absolutely not! We give every patient their own braces to help them achieve the best results possible.

Congratulations! You made it! Dr. Yoo will use special tools to loosen and remove your brackets and wires, which also doesn’t hurt. Then, they’ll scrape off the bonding glue and polish your teeth so they’re smooth. You’ll get to admire your beautiful new smile.

Yes, but we promise it’s worth it! Once treatment begins, we’ll give you a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of these foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables (unless cut into tiny pieces), popcorn and anything sticky like gum or caramels. Following our instructions carefully can go a long way in helping you avoid emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces.

You’re never too old to perfect your smile! We’ve been seeing more and more adult patients at Palo Alto Orthodontics. Braces are an excellent way to straighten your teeth, align your bite and will even improve your oral health. Adults are typically good candidates for esthetic options like ceramic braces and Invisalign, so no one will even have to know you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

The cost of braces ranges from $3,000 – $9,000 depending on the complexity of your case, how long you’ll need to wear them and the type of braces you choose. Once we have the chance to come up with a diagnosis and help you choose a treatment option, we’ll give you the exact cost with a full breakdown of the fees before treatment starts. We work really hard to provide our patients with affordable, high-quality care. We accept most insurance and offer flexible in-house financing with low monthly payment options that work for your budget.

The duration of your braces treatment will depend on how severe your case is, the type of appliances you choose, how quickly your teeth move and how well you follow our treatment instructions. In most cases, patients are in braces for 12 to 30 months. We’ll be able to give you an idea of the length of your treatment at your consultation.

The frequency of your appointments will depend on your individual needs. Most of the time, you’ll come in for adjustments every 5 to 10 weeks. If you require monitoring more frequently, we’ll schedule you accordingly.

We make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs. Unfortunately, we probably can’t schedule every single appointment for students during after-school hours. However, since you only see us every 5 to 10 weeks, you’ll miss minimal school during your treatment.

Yes. We know you’re busy and we’re happy to help you make the most of your time. We want treatment to work for your lifestyle! On some occasions, we may need to speak to a parent or guardian at the end of the appointment, so just be sure to check in with your child’s patient manager before dropping them off.

Of course! We recommend wearing a mouthguard when playing any sport to protect your braces and mouth.

You won’t experience real pain when wearing braces and if you do, call us right away. For about a week after you first get your braces put on and for a few days after adjustments, your teeth might feel a little sensitive. This mild discomfort can be managed with acetaminophen or other over-the-counter non-aspirin pain relievers. If you have any irritation, try swishing salt water in your mouth. Simply dissolve a tablespoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and go to town.

Yes. A tooth with a crown will move the same way a tooth with a filling will. If you have missing teeth, braces can help align the remaining teeth.

It’s actually more important than ever to visit your dentist for regular checkups when you have braces. This will help you keep your teeth clean and healthy and avoid cavities and gum disease. Your dentist will let you know how often you need to come in for cleaning appointments.

You should brush your teeth at least four times a day while wearing braces including after every meal and snack and before bed. We’ll show you how to floss correctly with your new hardware since you’ll need to floss once a day at night. If you’re prone to cavities, we may prescribe fluoride treatments too.

If your braces are causing you pain or something breaks, call our office right away. Many times, we can help you fix the issue over the phone. If you need an emergency appointment, we’ll set aside time for you.

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are severe enough that they require early intervention. If your little one isn’t ready for treatment, we’ll follow their growth and development and let you know when the time is right to begin.

Phase I treatment, if necessary, usually starts when a child is between the ages of 7 and 10. It typically lasts 6 to 24 months. The primary objective of Phase I treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and requiring surgery, lengthy, complicated treatments or extractions later in life. Additionally, early intervention can improve your child’s self-esteem.

In most cases, your kiddo will still need full braces or Invisalign as a teen in what is known as Phase II treatment. We usually conduct Phase I treatment, followed by a resting period where we monitor development and tooth eruption, before finishing up with braces or Invisalign. We keep parents in the loop and apprised of future treatment recommendations.