Fayetteville Office
300 S. Manlius Street
Fayetteville, NY 13066
PHONE (315) 458-0020
North Syracue Office
7334 Buckley Road
North Syracuse, NY 31212
PHONE (315) 458-0020
Fulton Office
633 West Third Street
Fulton, NY 13069
PHONE (315) 458-0020
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is an orthodontist?
- What is the difference between an orthodontist and a general dentist practicing orthodontics?
- Dr. Flanagan is a Board Certified Diplomate. What does that mean?
- Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
- At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
- Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
- 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?
- Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
- How long will it take to complete treatment?
- How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
- How often will I have appointments?
- Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
- What if I can’t keep my appointment?
- Do braces hurt?
- Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
- Do you give shots?
- Do you use recycled braces?
- Can I still play sports?
- Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
- Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
- How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
- What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
- Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
- What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
- Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
- Will my child need an expander?
- Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
- Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
- Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
1. What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a specialist who has completed an advanced education program following dental school, to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.
2. What is the difference between an orthodontist and a general dentist practicing orthodontics?
It takes about 8 years of undergraduate and dental school to become a dentist. To become an orthodontist, it takes 3 additional years of graduate school training at an accredited university! Many accumulated hours of additional continuing education courses help us to stay on top of the latest developments in this highly technical field.
3. Dr. Flanagan is a Board Certified Diplomate. What does that mean?
Only a small percentage of practicing orthodontists in the United States are board certified. We are proud to say that Dr. Flanagan has achieved this honor given by the American Board of Orthodontics. He earned this designation as a result of a voluntary process that lets the ABO extensively review an orthodontist's education and provide an intensive assessment of their clinical expertise. Involvement in the certification process is a demonstration of the orthodontist's pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence.
4. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.
5. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.
6. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.
7. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office and ask for a “new patient appointment”. Our friendly front desk staff will be happy to find a convenient time for you to visit us. We want to do everything we can to make this visit as informative and productive for you as possible, so there will be some questions that will help us do that. If you have insurance, please plan to have that information available when you place the call. This will enable us to provide you with your company’s estimated orthodontic benefits and we will submit a pre-approval for you in the event this is required. So we ask for your patience when gathering this important information.
To read about what to expect on your first visit, please see our First Visit Page.
8. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We will take the necessary photographs and x-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam.
To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.
9. What will I learn from the initial examination?
There are five essential questions that we will cover 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 teeth need to be removed?
- How long will the treatment take to complete?
- How much will the treatment cost?
10. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.
11. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 22 months.
12. 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 we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy, and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.
13. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 5 to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
14. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 5 to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
15. What if I can’t keep my appointment?
In order to complete your treatment on time, it is very important for you to keep your regularly scheduled appointments. We understand that busy schedules and unforeseen circumstances can sometimes make this difficult. Please call our office as soon as you realize you are unable to keep the appointment and one will be rescheduled as soon as possible for you. All missed appointments will be rescheduled between 9:00 am and noon.
16. Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”
17. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
18. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
19. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
20. Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
21. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.
22. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
23. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day: after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces, and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride if necessary.
24. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your braces are causing extreme pain, or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.
25. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.
26. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment lasts about 12-21 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe, and to improve self-esteem and self-image.
27. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the "resting period," during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.
28. Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
29. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!
30. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.
31. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.