Dr. Mohamed AlJanabi and the dedicated staff at Brooklyn Orthodontics want to make your orthodontic treatment a positive experience. Many of our patients have similar questions and concerns about the treatment process.We hope the following FAQs can answer your questions and address your concerns about orthodontics. If your question or concern is not addressed on this FAQs page, our friendly office staff will be glad to help you find an answer. Call Brooklyn Orthodontics at (718) 333-5898 and we can help ease your fears.
FAQs
What is orthodontics?
A branch of dentistry, orthodontics specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of both dental and facial irregularities.
How is an orthodontist different from a dentist?
An orthodontist in Staten Island completes advanced education following dental school so that he or she can learn to use appliances to move patients’ teeth and guide facial development.
Why are orthodontic treatments beneficial?
Children and adults can benefit from wearing braces in many ways. Consider these:
- Orthodontic treatments leave you with a more attractive smile.
- Adolescents will have less appearance-related self consciousness during the critical years of development.
- The function of teeth will improve.
- You can clean your teeth more effectively since it’s easier to brush and floss between straight teeth.
- Your teeth won’t wear as badly since there is improved force distribution.
- Your teeth and gums will stay healthier longer.
- There’s less risk of injury to front teeth that protrude.
How do I know I need braces?
You may be able to look in a mirror and tell that you need braces, but some problems are less obvious. Here are some common reasons Brooklyn Orthodontics’ patients choose to get treatment.
- Your upper front teeth protrude over your lower teeth, or are bucked.
- Your upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when you bite, called a deep bite.
- You have an underbite – your upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth.
- Your upper and lower front teeth do not touch when you bite down.
- Your teeth are crowded or overlapped.
- The center of your upper and lower teeth don’t line up.
- You were still sucking your thumb or finger after age 6 or 7.
- You have difficulty chewing.
- Your teeth wearing unevenly or excessively.
- Your lower jaw shifts to the side when you bite together.
- You have spaces between your teeth.
How do braces work?
Using steady, gentle pressure, braces gradually move your teeth into their proper positions.
When should I get braces?
This is one of Brooklyn Orthodontics’ most common FAQs. You can begin orthodontic treatments at any age. However, it’s often easier to correct problems at an early age before jaw growth slows. If you have orthodontic treatments early in life, you may be able to avoid surgery and more serious complications as you age. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, all children should see an orthodontist by age seven. An orthodontist in Staten Island should be consulted sooner if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist, or the child’s pediatrician.
What is the difference in the phases of treatment?
Brooklyn Orthodontics offers patients two phases of orthodontic treatment. Phase I, the early interceptive treatment, includes partial braces or expanders. These treatments are usually done before all of an adolescent’s permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of six and 10. If a child needs more space for developing teeth, needs a crossbite, overbite or underbite corrected or has harmful oral habit, Phase I treatments are usually recommended. The second phase is called comprehensive treatment because it involves full braces that are placed when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of 11 and 13.
Can adults benefit from orthodontics?
Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile, regardless of their age or stage in life. Luckily, you can have a successful orthodontic treatment at any age. In fact, 20-25 percent of orthodontic patients today are adults. Dr. AlJanabi and his staff at Brooklyn Orthodontics regularly see adult patients for orthodontic treatments.
How long will I have to wear braces?
Your treatment time will vary depending on your unique needs. The average time to wear braces is one-to-two years, but the actual treatment time will be affected by the rate of growth and the severity of the correction needed. Patient compliance also impacts treatment length. That’s why it’s so important to follow the treatment plan designed by Dr. AlJanabi and to make sure you maintain good oral hygiene while also keeping regular appointments with the Brooklyn Orthodontics office.
Will it hurt?
Getting braces placed on your teeth does not hurt. Once the brackets and bands are in place and connected with an archwire, you may feel some discomfort of your teeth for one to four days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.
Should I change the way I clean my teeth?
Keeping your teeth and braces clean will require a bit more effort. Dr. AlJanabi’s experienced staff will explain the proper way to brush and floss while wearing your braces. Before you leave Brooklyn Orthodontics’ office, you’ll also get any special instructions you need based on your treatment.
Can I eat my favorite foods?
Orthodontic patients may have to avoid some foods during treatment. In general, you should avoid hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods. Don’t chew on pens, pencils or fingernails and never crunch on ice.
Can I still play sports if I wear braces?
Of course you can! Dr. AlJanabi and the caring staff don’t want you to change a thing about your lifestyle. Feel free to continue playing the sports you love, but remember to protect your mouth by wearing a mouth guard while doing so. You can purchase inexpensive mouth guards at Brooklyn area sporting goods stores in a variety of colors and patterns.
Will I be able to play my musical instrument?
Absolutely! You can continue playing your flute, trumpet, clarinet or other instrument, but you should expect to go through a period of adjustment. If you find it uncomfortable to play while wearing your braces, the staff at Brooklyn Orthodontics can help you find a cover for your braces that will help.
Do I still need to see my general dentist while I have braces?
Yes. Your general dentist should provide you with a dental cleaning and checkup every six months, even while you’re wearing braces.
If you still have questions about your orthodontic treatment in Staten Island that were not addressed on this FAQs page, please feel free to call the Brooklyn Orthodontics office at (718) 333- 5898 for assistance.