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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

On my child's last appointment she got her braces adjusted, an exam, a cleaning and one filling. It was great – I was able to combine three appointments into just one visit! Why did you hire a dentist and start providing dental services?

I expanded our services because patients and parents kept requesting that we provide additional dental care. Another reason is a 2011 study on orthodontic treatment that found a separation of responsibilities between doctors during orthodontic treatment had less satisfactory outcomes for a significant number of patients. This study convinced me that providing an environment where dental and orthodontic services could be completed together could help my patients’ dental health during treatment. Patients at my office are welcome to continue services with their existing dental providers or use the dental services at my office for convenience. Call 1-800-4Braces for your free consultation.

My dentist told me that one of my child's baby teeth is stuck to the bone and is delaying eruption of the permanent tooth. Is this a difficult problem to correct?

A baby tooth stuck to the bone is called being "ankylosed", and it can complicate the eruption of the permanent tooth. This baby tooth should be closely monitored. An ankylosed baby tooth usually does not fall out on its own. It usually needs to be extracted. The baby tooth should be removed if the eruption of the permanent tooth is delayed by six months or more. The baby tooth should be extracted as soon as possible if the permanent tooth underneath is ready to come in and if there are developing bone defects or significant changes in the bite. If you have concerns about your child's developmental changes as he or she transitions from baby teeth to permanent teeth, please call 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.

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.

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: I had four teeth taken out as a teen when I had braces. I am now 40 years old and I snore. My dentist says that the jaw holding my teeth is too narrow and needs to be widened in order to reduce my snoring. Are there any other side effects to having teeth removed?

Dr. Herman's Answer: Back in the last century, all orthodontists had no choice but to take out teeth. But since 2002 orthodontists, using the Damon System of Braces rarely remove teeth. We know that removing four healthy teeth can lead to a narrower jaw, create spaces later in life and sink in the mid face making a person age poorly. For over 10 years I have encouraged people to get a second opinion if an orthodontist wants to remove four healthy teeth. Call 1-800-4-BRACES for your free consultation before you remove any healthy teeth.