FAQ

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist and, as a courtesy, those dentists may schedule your first appointment with our Bettendorf or Eldridge office. However, many patients schedule an examination themselves.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, most children have several permanent teeth, allowing us to effectively evaluate their orthodontic condition. Learn more about early orthodontic treatment and why our orthodontists recommend it by clicking here.

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, hence the need for orthodontics.

If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply contact our Bettendorf or Eldridge office directly to schedule an appointment. You may also fill out our online request form. Note that when you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.

Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor, who will familiarize you with the office and prepare the patient for the initial exam. We will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. Your orthodontist will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam. To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit page.

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 likely take to complete?
• How much approximate cost will be incurred?

Sometimes removing teeth is required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Extraction may be necessary if your mouth is too small to accommodate all the teeth (crowding) or if teeth cannot erupt because they are blocked by primary teeth (impacted teeth). We have found that early orthodontic treatment in younger patients can eliminate the need for extraction.

Treatment time depends on each patient's specific orthodontic needs. In general, treatment times range from 6 to 30 months. The "average" time frame that a patient wears braces is approximately 24 months. Then a retainer is worn for approximately 3 months full time to keep the teeth straight. After that, the retainer is only worn at nighttime. This is known as the retention phase of orthodontic treatment.

Yes! Once your braces are removed, it is necessary to wear a retainer so your teeth do not shift back into the wrong position. Your retainer is key to helping you maintain your new, beautiful smile. Visit our retention page to learn more.

It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the cost and your financial options during the initial examination. We have various finance options and insurance options to consider, and we will review these with you at that time.

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 4 to 8 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule orthodontic appointments accordingly.

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 8 weeks apart, younger patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatment. We will, however, always make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

Yes. We understand parents' busy schedules, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with the parent or guardian of a patient when he or she returns for pick up, so we ask that parents or guardians check in with our office manager before dropping off their child.

When your braces are placed, it is generally painless. However, some patients do experience a little discomfort the first few days as they adjust to having braces. You may also experience some discomfort when your braces are adjusted. Our orthodontists recommend using Advil or Tylenol to help alleviate any discomfort.

Yes. There is no reason to miss school following the placement of your appliances. In fact, most of our adolescent patients can't wait to go back to school to show them off, as orthodontic treatment is a big step to be proud of!

Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with his or her own braces to achieve the best orthodontic treatment result possible.

Yes! To help protect you and your braces, we recommend wearing a mouthguard when playing sports. If you play a musical instrument, you will still be able to play like you did before you got braces. You may just have a period of adjustment.

It is very important that you still regularly see your family dentist while wearing braces. During orthodontic treatment, seeing your dentist and having frequent cleanings can help keep your teeth free of plaque. Your family dentist will determine the necessary intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.

Yes. Once treatment begins, we will provide complete instructions and a comprehensive list of foods to avoid that may cause harm to your braces. In general, you should try to avoid foods that could damage, break, or become trapped in your braces. Some of these foods include raw vegetables that aren't cut into small pieces, hard candy, taffy, ice cubes, and nuts. To see a full list of foods to avoid, visit our Foods to Avoid page.

Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. We show every patient how to floss his or her teeth with braces and we may also provide a prescription for special fluoride toothpaste. For more on practicing good oral hygiene while undergoing orthodontic treatment, click here.

If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call us right away. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you. We encourage you to visit our Emergency Info page first for more details.

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough that they require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for orthodontic treatment, we will follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.

At the completion of the initial orthodontics examination, we will determine whether a patient will need a palatal expander or another orthodontic appliance like headgear.

Approximately 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important no matter what age you are, so no patient is "too old" to wear braces! Learn more about our adult orthodontic treatment options now!

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.

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently enhanced by orthodontic treatment when performed by the right kind of doctor. Orthodontists have an additional 2 to 3 years of specialized training at an accredited university. Only orthodontic specialists have the full certification and experience to properly diagnose and treat orthodontic problems originating from teeth that need to be straightened and bites that need to be aligned.

Today, orthodontic treatment is simple, convenient, and affordable for patients of all ages. An attractive smile is just one of the many benefits. Orthodontic treatment also results in correctly aligned teeth that provide ideal jaw function and dental/oral health! Additionally, your teeth are easier to clean and more resistant to gum disease once they have been straightened. Perhaps most importantly, orthodontic treatment almost always improves self-confidence!

Orthodontic treatment can be started at most ages - no one is ever too old or too young to care about improving his or her smile! When treatment is started at an earlier age, some orthodontic issues may be easier to treat. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or around age 7.

There are some obvious signs of bite problems, for example if teeth are crowded, crooked, or protruding. Other less noticeable indications of a bite problem include mouth breathing, difficulty speaking, the mouth not closing properly, and thumb-sucking habits that go beyond ages 3 to 4. Orthodontic treatment may also be needed if the jaw shifts or makes a sound when it moves.

We have three state-of-the-art offices to cater to our patients' needs:

The Bettendorf Office
1906 Middle Rd.
Bettendorf, IA 52722

The Eldridge Office
210 South 9th Avenue
Eldridge, IA 52748