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.

I just got a mail advertisement from an orthodontist. It features a patient who says she got braces at age 7 to correct her cross bite. Is age seven too early?

It is best to correct a cross bite early. There are two types of cross bites: anterior cross bite, better known as an under bite, and a posterior cross bite. A posterior cross bite is when the upper back teeth bite inside of the lower back teeth. It can be on just one side or on both sides. The goal is to correct the cross bite in a year or less through braces, take off the braces, and let the child resume growth for another year or two. I find that most cross bites can be corrected with upper braces only. I correct almost all cross bites without using invasive palatal expanders. If you think your child has a cross bite call 1-800-4Braces for a free consultation.

I took my child to an orthodontist for a consultation. Before my son saw the doctor he had two x-rays taken, a panoramic x-ray and a cone beam x-ray. I didn’t think this was necessary. Is that typical?

As a parent, I would also express concern with two x-rays during an initial consultation. I understand the need for a recent panoramic x-ray, as that is typically needed for exams. My concern is unnecessary exposure to radiation. I believe a cone beam x-ray or a cephalometric x-ray should only be taken after the initial exam if the doctor feels it is necessary. There should be a difference between protocol for an initial exam and protocol for final diagnosis records. The latter is done after the doctor determines there is a need for additional records and has discussed it with the parent.

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.

My child needs braces. I had braces for three years as a teen and had a palatal expander and teeth removed. I was disappointed when an orthodontist presented a treatment plan for my child that was almost the same plan I had 20 years ago. Has orthodontic technology changed at all?

I can assure you that technology has improved. You do not need expanders, tooth extractions or prolonged years in treatment. I use new technology, the high-tech H4 system of braces, which allows me to get great results while being far less invasive. My goal is to make the process of orthodontic care as easy for the patient as possible and completed as fast as possible. Not all orthodontic care is the same. Call 1-800-4Braces to find out for yourself how the high-tech H4 system of braces can improve your child’s orthodontic treatment.

I’ve heard that you very rarely remove teeth to correct crowding. Why?

Many orthodontists remove teeth to make room for crowding because it is a relatively easy way to make space. After years of observing this practice, I agree with many other orthodontists that it negatively impacts the profile of the face. You may have noticed this yourself in adults who had teeth removed during orthodontic treatment. Their faces can seem sunken in, their noses can seem longer, their lips can look thinner, and the chin sticks out more. I believe in using a high-tech braces that allow me to create space without removing teeth and give my patients wide beautiful smiles. If you visit an orthodontist who wants to remove teeth, please call 1-800-4Braces and schedule a free consultation for a non-extraction option.

Can any orthodontist give you a wide beautiful smile without taking out teeth?

No. Many orthodontists remove healthy teeth to achieve a straight, but narrow smile using traditional braces. I use the high-tech H4™ system of braces which allows me to achieve wide beautiful smiles without taking out teeth. I don’t believe in removing healthy teeth from a patient’s mouth, so I rarely take out teeth. I want all of my patients to have wide, healthy smiles. You can view some of the wide smiles I have achieved on my website, Herman4Braces.com. Call 1-800-4Braces if you want to get a wide beautiful smile without having any teeth taken out.

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.