I’m a parent that always likes to verify the facts. I’ve seen orthodontists advertise that they are board certified or are a provider of Damon braces. How can I find out if this is true?

As both an orthodontist and parent, I believe that doing some fact checking to ensure that a business or service is providing truthful information to the public is a good idea. It’s actually quite simple to check whether an orthodontist is board certified. Just visit americanboardortho.com use the “Find a Board Certified Orthodontist” feature. To check if an orthodontist is qualified as Damon System trained, just go to damonbraces.com and click on find a Damon Braces provider.

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 hear great things about you, your staff and your results. I want to be clear; I do not want my daughter to get extractions, screws in her bone or an expander that rips her bone apart. I have already gone for a consult elsewhere and do not agree with any of these methods. Can you accomplish treatment without using these devices or removing teeth?

The answer is yes. I do not use screws in the bone or palatal expanders. I rarely take out any teeth and especially do not want healthy teeth extracted unnecessarily. I have patients here every day with mothers like you who want a second opinion. I listen to what my patients want, and I find your request for less invasive treatment a reasonable goal. Our reputation is well deserved, and I look forward to talking with you. Please call 1-400-4Braces to schedule a complimentary 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 was a patient of yours 5 years ago and now my son is ready for braces. It’s been a while since I was a patient. Is there still a family discount I can use for my son?

Yes! We reward loyal patients with our “Smile Miles” program. Any patient that I’ve ever treated gets a credit toward future treatment that can be used on other family members. It is a straight forward program focused on affordable care. No prizes or contests here – just lower monthly payments for you! Call Riiana at 1-800-4Braces to see how many Smile Miles you have waiting for you and how they can be used on a family member or yourself!

I want to compliment you on my consultation at your office. I liked the fact that you showed me results on your patients.

Thank you. I understand that other orthodontists use models to sell their services. I want my patients and parents to see the results I achieve on real patients. I show them patients that are similar in gender, ethnicity, age and orthodontic problem. This helps the parent and patient better visualize what I can do for them. I recommend that during an orthodontic consultation, you ask to see the results on someone similar to you to help you decide on being treated by that orthodontist. Call 1-800-4braces if you would like to schedule a free consultation with my office.

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 hear that you correct crooked teeth problems without taking out teeth using a high-tech system of braces. Does that really work?

Yes, for 12 years I have treated 98% of my patients without taking out any teeth, but sometimes I hear that people still have questions. I use the high-tech Damon System of Braces, which allows me to treat almost all of my patients without taking out teeth. If you are advised that you must have teeth taken out to correct a crowding or bite problem, please afford me the opportunity to provide you a second opinion. Please call 1-800-4-BRACES for a free consultation.

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 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.

Are all braces and wires used to straighten teeth the same?

No, just like many of the products you buy, there is a wide difference in the equipment and technology used by orthodontists. Traditional braces use a metal wire tied together with smaller wires or elastic bands. The newer self-ligating bracket technology uses “doors” on brackets to hold the wire in place. This wire is secured in a loose and comfortable manner know as passive ligation. These high-tech wires are heat-activated, nickel titanium memory wires that are commonly referred to as "smart wires.” I am proud to offer my patients the high-tech passive self-ligating Damon System of Braces at an affordable price because I believe everyone should have access to the latest in orthodontic technology.

I want to get my teeth straightened and I want to bleach them to make them whiter. Should I do it before or after treatment? How does bleaching work?

If you are using Invisalign aligners to straighten your teeth then it can be done before, after or even during treatment. If you are getting braces, after is best. The active ingredient in bleaching gel is hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is applied to your teeth using a clear plastic tray. As the hydrogen peroxide degrades it produces free radicals that diffuse rapidly through enamel and dentin. These free radicals are strong oxidizers that split up pigmenting compounds that diffuse out of your teeth, causing the tooth to absorb less light. This process causes teeth to look lighter. Call 1-800-4Braces for a free consultation.

I am a busy mom who needs to find an orthodontist for my child. What process do you recommend to find the orthodontist that best meets my expectations and needs?

First, do a web search for your area. Do you like what you see? Did the website have some pictures of finished patients? Next, call to set up an initial consultation. What is your first impression of the call? Was the person able to answer all of your questions or were there a lot of "it depends" type answers? Third, go to the consultation appointment. Do the website and phone conversation match what you see and hear at the office? Does the plan to fix your child's teeth include taking out teeth? Did you like the doctor and staff? To make it the easiest for you, please visit my website at herman4braces.com or call 1-800-4-BRACES for a free consultation.

Q: My dentist wants me to get a second opinion from you because the first orthodontist I went to wants to pull some of my teeth. Why do I need a second opinion? Aren't all orthodontists pretty much the same?

Dr. Herman's Answer: Not all orthodontists are the same. We differ based on where and when we trained, our years of experience and the number of patients we have treated. The system of braces used also greatly affects your treatment. I use the Damon System of Braces, so I take out far less teeth than orthodontists using traditional braces. Many patients come to me because I am known for treating almost all of my patients without extracting teeth. A second opinion is always wise when extracting healthy teeth is part of an orthodontist’s treatment plan. I offer free second opinions. Call 505-564-9000 for your free consultation.

Q: Can I chew gum if I get braces?

Dr. Herman's Answer: Yes! I encourage my patients to chew gum, but it must be sugar-free gum. Several studies have shown that chewing gum after orthodontic appointments decreases initial discomfort. Sugarless gum does not increase the risk of damage to braces. Also with the Damon System of Braces, eating popcorn is permitted. The smaller brackets and the elimination of the tie wires prevent popcorn from getting stuck. You still cannot eat popcorn if you have the larger traditional braces. If you want to find out more about how little the Damon System of Braces changes your eating habits, call 505-564-900 for your free consultation.

Q: I am from the Window Rock area. My orthodontic office has closed down. I was told that I can go to an office in Shiprock for the rest of my orthodontic treatment. Can I go to you instead?

Dr. Herman's Answer: Yes. We've had a lot of calls from patients or parents in your same dilemma. My staff and I are working hard to help patients and parents make the best of a difficult situation. I will discuss as many treatment options and payment plans as possible with you during your visit to my office. The patients who have transferred to me over the past few months have been very happy with the experience. I encourage you to call my office at 1-800-4Braces for a free consultation.