Braces in Farmington, Orthodontist in Farmington

Question: I don’t understand why I have to get teeth pulled in order to get braces. Why is this necessary?

Answer:  It’s not always necessary to have teeth pulled in order to get braces. I use the high-tech H-4 system of braces that works with the body’s natural forces to gently create space in a patient’s mouth. This technology is why my patients can expect to be treated without extractions and get wide beautiful smiles.  I encourage you to get a second opinion before having healthy teeth extracted. Call 800-4-Braces today to schedule a free consultation

Braces in Farmington New Mexico

Question: Other than providing brushing instructions, does your office do other things to help prevent my son from getting white spots around his braces?

Answer: Yes. Studies show that applying a flouride varnish around the brackets every 6-8 weeks reduces a person's
risk to white spot lesions by 70%. At my office, patients who are at risk to white spot lesions have fluoride
varnish applied around brackets every 6 weeks and all of my patients must have a dental cleaning and exam
every 6 months. I offer the exam and cleaning services at my orthodontic office because cleanings done with
the orthodontic wire removed are much more thourough than cleaning done with the wire remaining. My goal

is to significantly reduce my patient's risk to gum, cavity and white spot lesion problems.

Dr. David Herman, Four Corners Orthodontics & Dental

Questions about Braces with Dr. David Herman Farmington

Question: How does your office prevent white spots around braces?

Answer: At my office, patients who are at risk for white spot lesions receive fluoride varnish around their brackets every 6 weeks. Studies show that applying a fluoride varnish around the brackets every 6-8 weeks reduces a person's risk to white spot lesions by 70%. I also offer dental exams and cleanings at my office. My team removes the orthodontic wire before cleaning which allows for a more thorough cleaning. All of my patients are required to have a dental cleaning and exam every 6 months. My goal with these practices is to significantly reduce my patient's risk to gum disease, cavities and white spot lesions

Dr. David Herman, Four Corners Orthodontics & Dental

If I don't wear my retainers for a couple of days my teeth start to move. My friend never wears her retainers and her teeth have not moved. Why is that?

Orthodontists and researchers have tried for years to explain this stability issue and the answer remains the same. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty how stable a person's result with be over a long period of time. We can say that if you wear your retainer for a certain amount of time, your result will be pretty much remain stable. Our bodies are constantly changing, and the forces on teeth are constantly changing, which cause teeth to shift. Teeth shift even if you never wore braces. Orthodontic patients should always wear retainers as instructed to ensure the most stable result possible.

I visited another orthodontist who wanted to put screws into my bone to fix my bite and said that a narrow smile was more stable than a wide smile. I like the look of a wide smile. He also told me I would need to wear retainers after braces to keep my teeth straight. If a narrow smile is more stable, then why do I need retainers?

There are no studies that show narrow smiles are more stable than wide smiles. Most patients prefer a wide smile because of the positive impact it can have on their overall appearance. Retainers are always required after braces are removed to ensure stability, no matter the width of the smile. I use the high-tech H4 system of braces to create wide beautiful smiles. I do not use screws or unnecessary appliances and offer straight-forward treatment plans. Call 1-800-4braces for a second opinion and free consultation.

My son has a palatal expander to help make room for his teeth and to fix a cross bite. Tonight I turned the expander as instructed and I heard a pretty loud pop. What was that pop?

What you heard was most likely the sound of the palate splitting down the middle. The split also occurs in other bones of the face as well. This is not dangerous and is the purpose of the expander. However, it is not the only way to fix a cross bite. Today, there are much gentler and less invasive means to gain space and fix cross bites. I have not used an expander in almost a decade. If an expander is part of your child's treatment plan, please call 1-800-4braces for a free second opinion.

My child has a narrow palate and a small lower jaw. I’m concerned his narrow palate is preventing his lower jaw from growing. Can orthodontic treatment help bring his lower jaw forward?

Yes, widening the palate allows the lower jaw to move forward. I use the high-tech H4 system of braces to gently widen the palate and to create wide beautiful smiles without removing teeth. I do not recommend using screws or palatal expanders to widen the palate because I feel that the forces used with this kind of treatment are too strong. I prefer to use a much gentler method to widen the palate. Please call 1-800-4BRACES for your free consultation.

My orthodontist said I needed two upper teeth extracted to correct my overbite. Now, I am almost finished treatment. My overbite has been fixed but I feel that my smile is narrow and too far back. Can you correct it?

Yes, but I wish that you never had your upper teeth extracted. Many orthodontists treat patients with this plan called "camouflage.” It hides the fact that the lower jaw is too small by extracting upper teeth and moving the smile backwards. This corrects the overbite but the upper lip and wide smile are sacrificed. I do not use this treatment plan. Call 1-800-4Braces if you are concerned about an upper extraction plan and want another opinion.

My son is getting braces. I am very concerned about him keeping up with his oral hygiene during treatment. Do you do anything special to help your patients maintain good oral hygiene?

Yes. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is so important to me that I have an oral hygiene department in my office with two dental hygienists on staff. No one else in the Four Corners offers both orthodontic and dental hygiene services in one location, and this convenience is one of the main reasons why parents choose my office for their children’s orthodontic care. While many offices have oral hygiene issues in almost half of their patients, less than 5% of my patients have oral hygiene issues. My patients with oral hygiene issues are provided immediate access to care in my office to correct the problem and do not have to be referred out. This is both a convenience and a relief to parents. We also remove all wires from the braces when cleaning, which allows for improved access and improved cleaning. For more information, please call 1-800-4Braces.

I read a column last week about how expensive it is to get dental care. Is the same true for braces?

Surprisingly no! Orthodontic treatment has actually become more affordable over the past couple of decades. Just like electronics become less expensive over time, so has orthodontic care. Today's passive self-ligation systems of braces are more efficient. These improved braces systems and better trained technical staff now make treatment very affordable. Add that to the fact that over a decade ago, I eliminated the $1000 or more down payment that was common in the Four Corners area. This step made it easy for many more people to start treatment. Call my office at 1-800-4Braces to find out just how affordable orthodontic treatment can be for you.

I just moved here and need an orthodontist familiar with the Damon system of braces to continue my treatment. My previous orthodontist informed me that special training was needed to use Damon braces. I called a local orthodontist whose website said they offer Damon braces and low prices. The lady I spoke with said they actually mix traditional braces with Damon braces on patients. She said both braces systems achieve the same result. Is this an effective treatment plan?

I do not agree with this treatment plan. As an orthodontist specially trained in passive self-ligation technology, including the Damon System, I know that traditional braces and Damon braces do not achieve the same quality result. It is like saying that a Walkman cassette recorder is the same as an iPod. They both allow for the mobile playing of music but no one would say they are the same. I encourage you to call my office at 1-800-4Braces for a free consultation to discuss finishing your treatment most effectively.

Is it easier to treat a crooked tooth problem by taking out teeth?

It can be easier but I do not believe it is better for the patient. I am very reluctant to remove healthy teeth because I use the new passive self-ligation technology, which allows me to treat patients without removing any teeth. I am passionate about creating a smile that best fits each patient's face. I found that taking out teeth creates a smaller width smile that does not always complement a patient's face. People who have had teeth extracted as a teen tend to lose their smile under their lip and wrinkle in the mid face area at an earlier age. Wide smiles are more youthful looking, even as you age. If you want a wide smile without having any teeth taken out, call 1-800-4Braces for a free consultation.

I had braces 15 years ago, and I remember that I hated having them tightened. It hurt. I have heard from numerous people that you use a different system of braces that does not require tightening at appointments. Is that true?

Yes. By using technology called "passive self-ligation," I do not have to tighten braces. I use high-tech H4™ braces, which use light and gentle forces to move your teeth. I have been using this technology for the past 12 years. I started with the Damon® system and now use the next generation of high-tech braces, the H4™ system. New technology just keeps making the braces experience better and easier for the patient. If you want treatment without experiencing the tightening of braces, please call 1-800-4Braces and schedule your free consultation.

I want to get the perfect smile, but I am concerned this expectation is unrealistic. How do you achieve the perfect smile?

Every patient is unique – there’s not one perfect smile! I help patients achieve wide, beautiful, healthy smiles that work with their individual features. At your first visit, I will give you a reasonable expectation of the smile you can expect to achieve after braces. I show photos of my finished patients with similar orthodontic problems so that you can get an idea of your outcome. I always attempt to meet or exceed my patients’ expectations. I believe I can help you get an amazing smile with a customized treatment plan. Call 1-800-4Braces to schedule your free consultation!

I have noticed that my son has bleeding gums from poor brushing. He has braces and has a year of treatment remaining. His orthodontist seems concerned. Should I should end treatment and try later when my son's oral hygiene improves?

It is a difficult decision for me to discontinue active treatment due to poor dental hygiene. I want to get you the finished result as does the parent and child. At my office, my team and I would have frank conversation with you about your son's poor home care. My recommendation could be to continue treatment but leave the wires out for two to four weeks for better cleaning. I would place your son on an antimicrobial mouth rinse to help reduce bacteria levels and high fluoride prescription toothpaste to help prevent white spots. If these measures fail to get the gingivitis under control, then I would recommend temporarily suspending active treatment by removing braces.

I lost my job and can't afford to continue my orthodontic treatment. I want my braces off, but I was told at another office I had to pay to get them removed. I can't afford that fee either. Can you help?

Yes, please call my office at 1-800-4BRACES and I will remove your braces at no charge. I realize that we all sign contracts with good intentions of getting services and outcomes for a fee. Sometimes our financial situation takes a turn for the worse or our priorities change. When this happens, I won't hold a patient in a state of suspended treatment. It is best to temporarily end treatment by removing braces. I advise the patient or parent that since they have already partially paid for my services, they are more than welcome to return to finish treatment once their financial situation improves.

I am seeing more and more adults with braces. Is this a growing trend?

Yes. A recent survey of adults ages 18-54 points out reasons why adult orthodontic treatment is a growing trend. The survey found that of adults who completed orthodontic treatment, 84% reported improved personal relationships, 58% reported better career success, and 92% reported they would recommend braces to other adults. The survey also asked, "Why would an adult not get braces?" The most common answers were: “What would others think?”, “How will I look?” and “I am too old?” The survey reported that 71% of the respondents stated that those concerns disappeared once treatment started and did not return at any time during treatment. Call 1-800-4braces if you would like a free consultation on what straight teeth and a great looking smile can do for you.

I heard that you now have a full service dental department. Is that true?

Yes. For years our patients and parents have wanted to make visiting my office a one-stop experience. I introduced dental exams and cleanings for our patients five years ago. We received an incredibly positive response from our patients once we began providing these services. On November 6, Dr. Todd Wahlin, formerly of Sundance Dental, started providing full dental services to our patients. Dr. Wahlin has nine years of experience and will provide all levels of dental health care, including IV sedation during the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. Many of my patients drive hours to be treated and appreciate that they can get everything done in one visit. For more information about our dental department or to schedule a free consultation, please call 1-800-4braces.

I have braces. Is it better to use a manual tooth brush or an electric toothbrush?

A recent study concluded that an electric toothbrush was "superior" to a manual toothbrush for plaque removal. The study found that the electric toothbrush motion more effectively removed plaque than the manual scrubbing action. Plaque is notorious for developing around braces, so in addition to recommending electric toothbrushes, I use the Damon System of Braces to help make cleaning easier. Damon braces are smaller than traditional braces and don't have wire ties or elastic rings that collect plaque. If you want a wide beautiful looking smile, please call me at 1-800-4braces for a free consultation.

I recently had four teeth removed to fix my crowded smile. I trusted the both the person that recommended me and the person that treated me. I found out today that I could have been treated without having teeth removed. Why wasn’t I offered this option at the beginning?

There are often different ways to correct crowded teeth. Taking out teeth or not taking out teeth is a big decision that needs to be resolved before starting treatment. If keeping all of your teeth is important to you, don’t be afraid to express that to your healthcare provider. If you bring up your concerns, then your provider should discuss all of the options available. If I had been included in the consultation process, you probably would have been presented with a non-extraction option. If you would like to learn about non-extraction treatment options, call 1-800-4BRACES for your free consultation.