Braces Questions with Dr. Herman

Question: Is it necessary to get teeth removed to achieve a straight smile and a better bite? 

Answer: My experience has been that it’s almost never necessary to remove healthy teeth to get straight smile or an improved bite when using technology like the high-tech H-4 System of Braces. I strongly recommend that a person get a second opinion if they’ve been told that healthy permanent teeth needed to be pulled in order to get braces. Call 1-800-4BRACES for your free consultation.  

Braces in Farmington, NM

Question: My first son was treated by an orthodontist who put screws in his mouth to fix his overbite. My second son also has an overbite, but is being treated by you without the use of screws. Why is there a difference in the treatment?

Answer: Orthodontists treat patients using a variety of different techniques. I try to practice minimally invasive treatment whenever possible. I feel that screws are usually too invasive and often overused in orthodontics. I find that I can accomplish similar results for my patients while providing them with greater comfort using the high-tech H4 system of braces. Visit www.Herman4Braces.com to learn more about my treatment philosophy.

Dr. David Herman, Four Corners Orthodontics & Dental

My son has crooked front teeth. Does he need to lose all his baby teeth before he visits an orthodontist?

No, but I do recommend patients lose their lower first baby tooth molars before beginning orthodontic treatment. These teeth usually fall out between ages 8-10 with girls losing them before boys. They are the teeth behind the canines, and the teeth that replace them are called first premolars. I try to have most of my patients’ orthodontic treatment completed in two years or less. I find that in most cases, waiting until the lower primary first molar falls out helps me achieve this time period. I always offer free consultations, regardless of age or number of baby teeth remaining. Please call 1-800-4BRACES to discuss how orthodontic treatment can improve your son’s smile.

My daughter plays softball and recently got hit in the face with a ball. While she is ok, I think she needs to wear a mouth guard to protect her from future injuries that may occur. What do you recommend?

I see a large number of patients with chipped, broken or lost teeth from sports accidents. The American Dental Association recently reported that about 3 million teeth are knocked out each year during sporting events. The report found that 67% of the parents surveyed said that their child does not wear a mouth guard when participating in sports. The report also showed that athletes who do not wear mouth guards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth than athletes that wear mouth guards. I advise parents to insist that their children wear proper safety equipment while playing sports to prevent potentially painful injuries.

Someone told me that if my child gets braces as a young teenager, he will need braces again as an adult. Is this true?

Retreatment is only needed when retainers are not worn as instructed and teeth shift. If a person’s teeth move too much, a tune-up would be recommended to get them back to the finished result. I provide tune-ups at a reduced fee. Most of my patients who have tune-up treatment only need to wear braces for a year or less. When I finish treatment, I place a double retainer to ensure the most stable result-- a wired retainer glued on the back of both upper and lower front teeth, as well as clear, removable aligner retainers. If you need an orthodontic tune-up, call 1-800-4Braces today for your free consultation.

I had an overbite that was corrected with braces at age 12. My 6 year old daughter looks like she will also have an overbite. What causes an overbite?

The main cause of an overbite is heredity, so if a parent had an overbite, there is a good chance a child will also have an overbite. Another common cause is a prolonged finger sucking habit. A recent study found that 20-30% of the U.S. population has a mild to severe overbite. Overbites are a result of either the front teeth sticking out too far, the lower jaw being too small and too far back, or a combination of both. I have achieved good results on patients with an overbite without removing any teeth. In cases when the overbite is caused by the lower jaw being too small or too far back, I do not recommend extracting upper teeth. While this plan fixes the overbite, it can create a very flat facial profile. For a free consultation, please call 1-800-4Braces.

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.

How is it that you treat almost all of your patients without taking out teeth?

I use the H4 passive self-ligation system of braces. This system allows me to use light physiologic force to move the teeth and develop the bony arch that holds the teeth in ways that a decade ago we never dreamed was possible. When a patient has moderate, or even severe teeth crowding, I am able to reshape the anatomy of the bone and make room for all of your teeth so no extractions are necessary. If you have been told that you or your child needs teeth removed for braces, call 1-800-4Braces for a free second opinion and non-extraction option.

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 have obstructive sleep apnea. My doctor told me my tongue is too big for my mouth and is causing the obstruction when I sleep. Can this be a result of having four teeth removed when I had braces as a teen?

Yes. Extracting four permanent teeth does reduce the volume of your mouth. In other words, your tongue had to move toward the back of the throat, reducing the airway space. The extractions can be responsible for you now having sleep apnea. Instead of extracting teeth to relieve crowding, I widen the arch of the mouth using the high-tech H4 system of braces. This increases the volume of the mouth and decreases the chances of obstructive sleep apnea. If you want to correct crowding problems without extractions, call 1-800-4BRACES for your 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.

How do braces move teeth?

The human body is constantly responding to external stimuli. Just like pupils contracting with bright light, braces place an external stimuli, pressure, on teeth. When pressure is placed on a tooth, the bone around it to reacts and reshapes. Bone is resorbed on the side of pressure and added on the side opposite the pressure. This process is called osteogenesis. Teeth move faster and with far less pain if the pressure on the tooth is light. Heavy pressure, like that found in traditional braces, causes more pain and produces slower movement of teeth. In general, the body typically does not respond well to heavy pressure. I use the high-tech H4 system of braces, which allows for gentle tooth movement. Call 1-800-4Braces to find out all of the benefits of H4 braces.

A friend told me I needed to get my top braces and bottom braces on at different times so it’s easier for me to get used to the braces. Is this necessary?

No, there is no need for you to come in twice to get your top and bottom braces placed. Some offices require two appointments for the braces to be placed. There are also additional fees charged at these appointments making your total down payment for braces more than expected. At my office, you can get top and bottom braces the same day as your free consultation! During the month of October, you can start the high-tech H4 System of Braces for just $143 with monthly payments of $189 or less! For a free consultation, please call 1-800-4Braces.

How do I know everything that was promised to me will be kept once I start braces?

Researching the orthodontic office by visiting its website is a good start. I understand that parents are busy and can’t spend a lot of time on the phone, so everything is available on our website. We list information about our fees, payment structure, what to expect at your first visit, how long it will take, etc. Word of mouth from current patients is also a great source of information – your friends will be sure to tell you if there were any hidden fees or surprises along the way. Trust is another element to choosing an orthodontist—it’s important for patients and parents to feel comfortable that their child will have a positive treatment experience.

I am 27 years old and have really crooked teeth and an overbite. What will happen over the next 10 years or so if I do not get my teeth straightened and bite fixed?

If you choose not to get your teeth straightened you will have an increased risk for periodontal (gum) disease because crooked teeth make oral hygiene much more difficult. It is much easier to keep straight teeth clean than crooked teeth. Crooked teeth also have unbalanced forces placed upon them when you bite. This can wear down your teeth and increase the risk of gum disease. A wide, beautiful smile with straight teeth helps people with their self-confidence—especially when meeting people for the first time! Getting straight teeth is easy and affordable. Call 1-800-4braces for a free consultation.

I was told that if I get my wisdom teeth removed there is a chance of nerve damage. What is nerve damage?

It is true that there is a risk of damage to the nerve that provides sensory information to the lower part of the face, lips and tongue. For most patients, this risk is very small. The loss of sensory information can have an impact on one's ability to eat, drink, shave, kiss or play a musical instrument. There are three types of nerve damage. The first is Neuropraxia, or temporary interruption with full recovery in 4-6 weeks. Axonotmesis is more permanent with decreased sensation of feeling. Neurotmesis is a physical separation of the nerve with complete and permanent loss of sensory feeling. Because of the nerve damage risk, removal of wisdom teeth should be done only when impaction is a big concern.

My financial situation has changed, and I can no longer afford orthodontic treatment. My orthodontist told me I can't get my braces removed until I paid my bill. I can't pay the bill right now. Can you help me out?

Sure. I understand that good people sometimes get into a financial bind. I do not believe that people who can no longer afford treatment should be forced to keep their braces on. Please call my office at 1-800-4Braces for a free consultation and I will discuss removing your braces. If you cannot afford my normal fee for removing braces, I will remove them at no charge.

My 8th grade son is in braces. I am constantly reminding him to brush his teeth. The dental assistants have gone over how to brush with him several times, and his orthodontist told him that if he keeps brushing poorly it could add 6 months to a year to his treatment time. I was shocked to hear this. How does poor brushing make treatment longer?

Poor brushing may not necessarily make treatment longer, but it does increase chances of gingivitis, cavities and white spots. In severe cases, oral hygiene problems caused by poor brushing can prolong treatment. An orthodontist may even recommend removing the braces until severe oral hygiene issues are resolved in order to best care for the teeth. Broken brackets and poor rubber band wear can also prolong treatment.

It seems that all orthodontists offer a free consultation. What makes your consultation different?

My staff and I provide a comprehensive consultation so that patients can make fully informed decisions about their orthodontic care. You will receive all X-rays needed for me to make a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan specific to your needs. You will have as much time as you need with me and my staff to have all of your questions answered. I will also give you a detailed explanation of my treatment plan and the high-tech H4 system of braces. Finally, I will show you photos of my finished patients with similar orthodontic problems so that you can get an idea of your outcome. Call 1-800-4BRACES today and see for yourself why my office was voted the best in the Four Corners.

I’d like to get information about the cost for braces but don’t want to come in for an appointment right now. Can I find out the cost for braces without coming in for an appointment?

Yes! I believe in transparency in fees, so I make it easy for people to find out how much braces cost. You can get a realistic picture of your total cost with just one visit to my website. I work hard to make my website relevant and informative for my patients. Our Getting Started page includes affordable payment options and gives you an accurate picture of your cost. Our Current Promotions page features the exact cost for you to start braces for that month. You can also call our office and speak with one of our friendly team members to find out the cost of treatment. Please call 1-800-4Braces or visit Herman4Braces.com for more information.