What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces, Aligners and other appliances/devices are used to make these corrections by moving teeth and bones.

Why should you choose Dr. Danny Bass, an Orthodontic Specialist for your care?

Just as there are specialists in medicine (such as cardiologists, gastroenterologists, dermatologists, etc.), there are specialists in dentistry.  Orthodontists, such as Dr. Danny Bass, are dental specialists who dedicate their lives to correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. Teeth and sometimes faces are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment; therefore, it is very important that the treatment be done properly. Only about 6 % of US dentists have the additional education required to be licensed and recognized as an orthodontic specialist. A licensed orthodontic specialist is an expert at moving teeth, helping jaws develop properly and working with you to help make sure the teeth stay in their new positions. Remember that most orthodontic insurance plans pay for braces only once in a lifetime. Have Dr. Danny Bass do it once and do it right!

Do I need a referral from my general dentist to schedule my appointment with Dr. Danny Bass at Family Orthodontics?

Referral from your general dentist is not mandatory. Bringing a referral from your general dentist helps to communicate your dentist’s concerns more clearly, but if you do not have one it is not a problem. After we see you, we will contact your dentist to communicate the issues Dr. Danny Bass evaluates. If you do not already have a dentist of record, we will be happy to refer you to a few great dentists. Word of mouth recommendations from friends and families of existing patients is one of Dr. Danny Bass’s favorite ways to meet new patients. Spread the word about Family Orthodontics!

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, send us an email, or fill out our appointment request form for a Complimentary Consultation on our website. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you!

Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?

Yes, absolutely! It is imperative to maintain regular cleanings with your general dentist throughout treatment to keep your teeth clean and prevent problems associated with bad oral hygiene. Family Orthodontics recommends for all patients to have a cleaning at least once every 6 months, and for some patients more often. Dr. Danny Bass will let you know what he recommends for you upon starting treatment.

Who should come to the initial consultation with Dr. Danny Bass besides the patient?

If you rely heavily on the opinion of others before making treatment commitments, you are encouraged to bring all the decision makers with you to the consultation. They can be taking notes while you listen or act as a sounding board. Dr. Danny Bass does not want information lost in translation if the decision maker does not come and you have to relay the consultation information to them.

How much does treatment cost?

The fee for orthodontic treatment varies depending on the severity of the problem, length and complexity of the treatment, and method of treatment selected. Well timed orthodontic treatment to correct a problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later. Also, with NO or LOW DOWN payments, INTEREST FREE extended payment options, benefits from insurance, FREE consultation, and payment-in-full discounts, family discounts, teacher discounts, and military discounts, treatment with Family Orthodontics is more affordable than ever! Schedule an appointment with Dr. Danny Bass today to see how we can help you!

How can soon can I start braces?

Because we make time to take your records at the first visit, we can sometimes put on braces the same day, depending on patient needs and our availability. If not the same day, then usually by the next appointment shortly after the consultation (If no special needs exist).

Will insurance pay for orthodontic care?

We want to make your experience as pleasant as possible! Therefore, we accept assignment of insurance benefits and will bill for you! It is important to know that all insurance companies vary in benefits and it is your responsibility to give us correct and current insurance information.

What are some possible benefits of orthodontics?

There are numerous benefits to orthodontic treatment and properly aligned teeth. An attractive and confident smile is one of the most remarkable benefits! Research is very clear that people with a pleasing smile are treated better in social and work relationships. Straight teeth with a good fit together provide greater functionality, are easier to clean, and are less likely to be fractured.

Will my teeth straighten out as I get older?

No, they will not. The space available for the teeth to erupt does not increase as you get older. In most people, after the first permanent molars erupt the space available for the rest of the teeth to erupt decreases with age.

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 have erupted in most children, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition. As long as there are no conditions that need to be treated at this young age, such as detrimental crossbites, sucking habits, severe crowding, or severe jaw discrepancies, we will recommend waiting to complete treatment in one phase when all the permanent teeth have erupted. By condensing treatment into one phase with all the permanent teeth when possible, we can save you money and time, prevent children from getting burnt out on orthodontic treatment, and prevent negative side effects of wearing braces for too long, such as scarring of the teeth.

What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?

Phase I treatment is treatment performed on children to correct early problems before all the permanent teeth erupt. This would include correction of early crossbites, habits, and interceptive treatment. Phase II treatment is a second “finishing” phase of treatment that occurs after the permanent teeth have erupted. Often, treatment does not need to be performed in two phases and can be better accomplished in one phase of treatment after permanent tooth eruption is complete. Modern orthodontic research shows that many orthodontic problems can be treated to the same or better quality if completed in one phase as compared to two phase treatment. Dr. Danny Bass with Family Orthodontics promises to always recommend the best time for treatment to start!

Would an adult patient benefit from orthodontics?

Just like young patients, adult patients greatly benefit from orthodontic treatment! In fact, about 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults, with patient ages ranging into the 80s. Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important to adults too!

Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

As long as your supporting bone and gums are healthy, you can undergo orthodontic treatment at any age! No patient is “too old” to wear Invisalign or braces! Come and “count back the clock” with us as at Family Orthodontics as we give you the beautiful smile you have always wanted!

What is Short Term Orthodontics offered in only a few months?

Short Term Orthodontics is straightening the front teeth for appearances while leaving the malocclusion or bad bite of the rear teeth uncorrected. It would be wise to consult with Dr. Danny Bass to make sure that you are an acceptable candidate for this type of treatment. Some patients may seem to be an easy orthodontic case for short term orthodontics, however, that is not always true.

Are there foods that I should not eat with 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/candies. You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?

With modern technology, extractions have become less common and we do everything we can to be able to keep your permanent teeth. Most of our treatment is completed without removing teeth. However, even with modern techniques, sometimes removing teeth is required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Come to see Dr. Danny Bass at Family Orthodontics to let him explain the best treatment for you!

How long will my orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment times can vary widely from only 3 months for minor alignment up to 3 years or more for very extreme situations. Most comprehensive orthodontic treatments take from 15-24 months depending on the severity of the problems and cooperation of the patients with appointments and home instructions. Dr. Danny Bass will let you know what to expect for treatment time at your FREE consultation appointment!

How often will I need to be seen for treatment?

Appointment intervals vary for different patients and also vary depending on the stage of treatment. After the appointment to put the braces, the first few appointments are generally between 4-10 weeks apart, depending on the amount of crowding present initially. Dr. Danny Bass will always schedule your appointment intervals for just the right balance of comfort and efficiency to help you enjoy your experience with braces, but not enjoy them for too long!

How long will each appointment take?

The first appointment to place any appliances and or braces is usually the longest appointment, lasting from about 1-2 hours. After the initial appointment, appointments will last from about 20-45 minutes depending on the procedures we plan to accomplish at each visit. We strive to make your experience highly positive, while being efficient to get you back on your way!

Can I schedule all my appointments after school?

We make every attempt to accommodate your schedule, but unfortunately not all appointments may be scheduled after school. To make our schedule efficient for you, we schedule any longer appointments in the morning and early afternoon, and schedule the shorter appointments for the after school hours to make plenty of these time slots available.

Can I drop my child off for an appointment?

Yes, you may drop your child off for an appointment. If they are early, they can play in our video game room until their appointment time. By allowing this service, you may make a quick grocery run, grab a coffee, or run a few errands. We ask that you please arrive back before the approximated end time of their appointment so we may inform you of progress at each visit.

Do braces hurt?

Surprisingly to most patients, it does not hurt to place the braces on your teeth. Once your braces are in place and connected with the wires, it generally takes 12-24 hours to start feeling some discomfort in the teeth; however, the lighter wires are much more comfortable than the traditional orthodontic experience. You may feel this soreness for a few days after a new wire is installed. If you experience any discomfort, you may wish to eat softer foods in conjunction with pain medications such as Ibuprofen. The mild discomfort is well worth the beautiful result!

Will braces interfere with playing sports?

No, they will not interfere. Parents are often interested to know how braces and sports would interact with each other. Some parents may think that a child with braces on their teeth must refrain from the more active sports, due to the notion that any kind of serious impact may be detrimental to the mouth and teeth. This is not true, as braces can actually help to keep the teeth in place when a player has a mouth injury. At Family Orthodontics, Dr. Danny Bass is happy to treat athletes of all kinds in different sports. We do always advise our patients to wear a mouth guard during their sporting events if they can, which we provide for FREE to our patients.

Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?

Braces are often a concern for musicians. Dr. Danny Bass has treated patients studying many different musical disciplines and he is happy to explain to you how braces will affect your practice. In general, wind instrument players experience the most adjustment to playing after having braces placed. Woodwind players may have slightly more difficulty than brass instrumentalists. All musicians can adapt to their instrument with a week or two of dedicated practice with braces. Placing wax on the braces may be helpful during the adjustment period. If you play any non-wind instrument, braces should have no effect on your practice.

What should I expect when my braces come off?

Braces can be removed very quickly by squeezing the braces to pop them off the teeth. Usually there is little to no discomfort involved with removing the braces, although sometimes the lower front teeth can experience sensitivity. After the glue is removed and teeth are polished, pictures are taken to document your new Hollywood smile, impressions are taken for two sets of retainers (two upper and two lower), and x-rays are taken to document the health of the bone and root structures. You will then be ready to go out and show the world your brand new smile!

What do I need to know about retainers?

At Family Orthodontics, our goal for every patient is that you will enjoy your beautiful smile and bite for a lifetime! For that reason, we recommend full time retention for a short time, nightly wear for several years, then part-time nightly wear for the rest of your life. Before you get your braces off, Dr. Danny Bass will have a retention consultation with you to review the importance of the retention period. You will receive one set of aesthetic retainers the day that the braces come off or invisalign trays are completed. You will also receive a second more durable set of retainers about 2-3 weeks later. We will do periodic retainer checks for you as long as you want to come back in to have them adjusted for FREE!

Can tooth alignment change later?

Yes, because the bone around your teeth is continually changing (breaking down and rebuilding), your teeth may shift after your braces are removed. Some crowding of the lower front teeth may be part of the aging process similar to gray hair and wrinkled skin. The only way to ensure continued satisfactory alignment is by the use of retainers to some degree, for life. They help to keep everything straight. We expect changes in our bodies as we grow older, and teeth are no exception.