Find An Office Affordable Care Services What To Expect Book Now Call 1-844-800-7645 Frequently Asked Questions Dental & Oral Care FAQs We have collected some of your most asked dental questions and done our best at answering them. If you don’t see your question here, try typing it in into the search bar or calling one of our offices. AlignersAppointmentBracesCostsDental CareDental EmergencyDental OfficeDental ServicesFAQFinancingInsurance Are Baby Teeth Really That Important To My Child? A child's primary teeth, sometimes called 'baby teeth,' are as important as the permanent adult teeth. Primary teeth typically begin to appear when a baby is between age six months and one year and help children chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are developing under the gums. The ADA recommends that a dentist examine a child within six months of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than the first birthday. A dental visit at an early age is a 'well baby checkup' for the teeth. Besides checking for tooth decay and other problems, the dentist can demonstrate how to clean the child's teeth properly and how to evaluate any adverse habits such as thumbsucking. Are dental implants worth it? Implants are definitely worth the time and money—here’s why: Lower dental costs, less dental work: When you bite and chew with dental implants, that pressure stimulates your jawbone and keeps it in good shape. Bridges and dentures don’t do that which can cause your jawbone to erode. You wind up with serious and expensive dental problems like loose teeth, extractions and more. Outlasts bridges and dentures: Dental implants can last for decades whereas traditional bridges usually need replacement every five to ten years. Look and feel like your natural teeth: Dental implants have another big advantage: comfort. Of all of the available tooth replacement options, dental implants look, feel, and perform most like your natural teeth. Are my files transferable to your office? If you are a current patient at another dental office and wish to transfer over to one of our locations. You can either bring your files with you on your appointment or you can work with the current provider and ask them to send them to our office. If you have any questions feel free to always call the office. Are retainers necessary? Yes. We know you're excited about your new smile, but you must wear a retainer to help keep your teeth in their new positions. Most patients wear a retainer for about a year; your orthodontist will tell you how long you need to wear your retainer. Are you open on Saturdays? Please check our hours! Are you taking new patients? Yes! We are accepting new patients. Check out our Your First Visit page. Are your dentists board certified? Yes they are! All dentists have to pass rigorous board exams in order to get their license. Braces vs. Invisalign®? Both braces and Invisalign® clear aligners are great treatments options that will get you your desired results for a beautiful smile. Although they both straighten teeth and correct misaligned smiles, they use different forms of treatment for achieving results. Traditional braces use metal or ceramic brackets, wires, and rubber bands to shift the teeth into the desired position. They are not removable by the patient and require constant cleaning. Invisalign®, on the other hand is a set of clear aligners that fit snugly over the teeth to gradually shift them into proper alignment. You can remove them for eating as well as cleaning, which makes the process much easier compared to traditional metal braces. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign® aligners are thermoplastic and clear, so they’re far less noticeable, considerably more comfortable, and will most likely have a shorter treatment time. And since clear aligners are removed during meals – there are no limitations regarding the food you can eat during your Invisalign® treatment. Is Invisalign® right for you? While a very popular option because of the lifestyle advantages it offers – Invisalign® isn’t for everyone. For more complex cases, your best option may be traditional braces. You’re thinking, No! I don’t want metal mouth! Remember they don’t have to be shiny metal, you can opt for the clear braces a great solution if you’re not a candidate for clear aligners. Can I fill out my New Patient paperwork ahead of time? Yes you can! You can fill them out before your appointment. Visit our What to Expect page where you can download the forms and fill them out ahead of time. Can I get pricing on a particular treatment? Each case is different, unfortunately we cannot provide a specific price but you can call the office and we will do our best to answer your question. Can I Play Musical Instruments While Wearing Braces? With practice and a period of adjustment, braces typically do not interfere with the playing of wind or brass instruments. Can I Play Sports While Wearing Braces? Yes, but make sure you wear a protective mouth guard. Ask your orthodontist to recommend the right kind of mouth guard while you are having orthodontic treatment. Keep your smile beautiful after treatment and wear a mouth guard at every practice and every game. Can someone with COVID-19 still go to their appointment? No, we are doing everything we can do to keep your patients and staff safe. That includes not allowing anyone with COVID symptoms in the office. Please cancel your appointment and schedule it once you have been free of symptoms for at least 14 days. Do I Have To Change What I Eat When I Have Braces? While you have braces, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet for the health of your teeth. Of course, a healthy diet is always important, but eating too many sugary foods with braces can lead to plaque build-up around your brackets that could permanently stain or damage your teeth. In general, patients with braces must be careful to avoid hard, sticky, chewy and crunchy foods. They should also avoid chewing on hard objects like pens, pencils and fingernails. And never chew ice. It’s much too hard on your teeth – even without braces. (Some other foods to avoid are: popcorn, corn on the cob and whole apples.) Do I Need To Change My Oral Hygiene Routine During Orthodontic Treatment? Yes, keeping your teeth and braces (or other appliances) clean requires a little more effort on your part. Your orthodontist will explain how to brush and floss, how often to brush and floss, and give you any special instructions based on the kind of orthodontic treatment you are having. Be sure to follow your orthodontist’s dental hygiene prescription to get the best results possible. Check with your orthodontist about dental products and tools that might be helpful. Also be sure to get a professional cleaning and check-up at least every six months during your orthodontic treatment, or more often, if recommended. Do I need to have Dental X-rays? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 100 million dental x-rays are done each year in the United States. These x–rays provide your dentist with a vital tool that shows the condition of your teeth including roots, jaw placements, and the overall composition of your facial bones. X-ray machines only produce radiation during operation and the amount of radiation used is small. Dental x-rays allow dentists to: Detect problems in the mouth such as tooth decay, damage to the bones supporting the teeth, and dental injuries (such as broken tooth roots). Detect teeth that are abnormally placed or don't break through the gums properly. Evaluate the presence and location of permanent teeth growing in the jaw of a child who still has baby teeth. Plan treatment for large or extensive cavities, root canal surgery, placement of dental implants, and difficult tooth removals. Plan for orthodontic treatment, like braces. Do I still need to see my family dentist? Yes. You should continue with your regular dental checkups while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Your family dentist will determine the intervals, and can advise you whether you should have your orthodontist remove the arch wires so the general dentist has better access for your dental cleaning. The arch wire would be replaced by your orthodontist after the cleaning. Resources BLOG Emergency Fix: Fillings & Bondings for Chipped Tooth Have you found yourself with a chipped tooth? For many patients, it can happen without warning. read more BLOG Top 4 Affordable Dental Braces from Houston Orthodontist When looking for the right orthodontist, you want a Houston-based one that’s reliable, has the right qualifications to apply your braces, and can provide you with professional results. read more BLOG Confused by Tooth Implant Pricing? According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 500,000 people get dental implants each year and more than 3 million Americans already have a tooth implant. read more Locations Find an Office Book an Appointment Patient Forms Dental Services Affordable Dentistry Braces & Clear Aligners Dental Emergencies Dental Glossary FAQs Affordable Care Insurance & Financing Coupons OneSmile Dental Plan Union Discounts About Us Blog Patient Safety Press Room Contact Us Careers Follow Us Call 1-844-800-7645 Emergencies & Walk-Ins Welcome Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy