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.

I know that you offer high-tech braces. Why do some offices offer both traditional braces and high-tech braces?

I offer the H4™ high-tech braces at an affordable price because I believe it is better for the patient. I was an early adopter of passive self-ligation technology and have now moved to the H4™ system, the next generation of high-tech braces. The H4™ system uses light and gentle forces to move teeth, creating a more comfortable experience for my patients with high quality outcomes. Almost all of my patients can be treated without having teeth taken out. I believe all of my patients should be treated with the latest technology and do not offer traditional braces because I find it to be a step backwards. To learn more about high-tech braces, call 1-800-4Braces.

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 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 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.

My teeth are sensitive to hot and cold sensations. What causes this problem?

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a number of reasons. Some of the more common culprits are cavities, cracked teeth, broken fillings, grinding your teeth, and receding gums. Everyone has microscopic tubules in their enamel that connect with the nerve of a tooth. If these tubules are exposed, temperature changes from eating hot or cold foods are transmitted more easily too the nerve. If your sensitivity is from a cracked tooth or grinding, then the changes in pressure on the tooth are causing your sensitivity. If your sensitivity does not go away after a few days, you can call 1-800-4Braces for a free consultation to discuss this problem.

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.

Question: I love your "Real People Real Results" pictures in the newspaper. How do you find those people?

Dr. Herman's Answer: They are my patients from all over the Four Corners area! When I finish a patient’s treatment, I ask them or they ask me if they can have their new smile featured in the newspaper. I am excited with how well the patient's face and smile appear and the patient is pleased with what we accomplished together. I have even been asked if the happy patients are models! We are proud of our patients and their special talents, accomplishments and stories—that’s why we enjoy featuring them in our monthly promotions. We hope you take pleasure in seeing your friends and neighbors featured in the ads too!