1.  What is the best age to start my child’s orthodontic care?

To protect the children from most orthodontic problems we urge parents to bring the children in to my office for a FREE initial visit as early as seven years old, or if there has been premature loss of baby teeth or a digit sucking habit is making front teeth stick out and space. You do NOT need a referral from a pediatric dentist or a general dentist, if you have a concern for your child.
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2.  What is the latest age I can have orthodontics?

Anyone in good oral health, at any age, can enjoy the benefits of orthodontics. Doctor Salem has the experience and many new techniques that benefit everyone, including senior citizens.
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3.  What is Two Phased orthodontics and why is it used?

Two Phased treatment is recommended for younger children by the experienced orthodontist when there are MAJOR BENEFITS to be gained, or when there are MAJOR RISKS by not treating now, or when there is an obvious problem troubling the patient or parent.

Dr. Salem has refined these plans over his thirty years of experience by examining results achieved through individualized special plans and appliances. All his patients are considered unique.

Following a First Phase of about one year, the patient gets a vacation from braces and just wears retainers to hold the gains while the rest of the adult teeth grow in.

A Second Phase is needed, after all adult teeth are in, to refine the way the teeth grew in and complete anything that was not accomplished in the First Phase and usually lasts about a year.

Naturally, Two Phase care is not valuable for all young children and Dr. Salem's experience and training will help you decide what to do.
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4.  Is orthodontics expensive?

Orthodontics, wherever you go, will represent a significant investment in your future smile and health, but in many cases it also offers a significant savings compared to neglecting orthodontic problems. Each case varies based on the challenge and the goal we create with our patients. It takes an experienced, school trained orthodontist to offer the most-cost effective solutions.
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5.  How long does orthodontic care take?

Some cases take as little as 8-10 months and others as long as 36 months. This refers to braces and Invisalign® care, not retainer approaches. Through experience, Dr. Salem and his staff have been able to reduce the average treatment time by as much as 50% in some cases, and treatment times can also be decreased through great patient cooperation. The average full treatment case has been around 14-18 months.
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6.  Do you offer payment plans?

Yes!  We understand that different people have different needs and have created several payment approaches to tailor financial arrangements so that our patients can get the smile and bite they want. Please see our financial plans section.
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7.  Do you offer Invisalign®?

Yes, in selected cases, and with proper patient cooperation with the Invisalign® approach, we can achieve great results because we are trained in orthodontics and in defining goals and limitations from years of experience. While Invisalign® has been limited to adults, we are now able to offer some teens the Invisalign® approach.
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8.  Are headgears and adult tooth extractions common in your office?

No, but many years ago, both were common.  Through years of experience, I have been able to reduce the number of multiple adult tooth extractions to where they would be considered uncommon.  Headgears have a place in an orthodontic practice, but due to new appliances, I have reduced the need for headgears significantly.
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9.  What is the difference between porcelain veneers to make teeth look better and orthodontics?

Porcelain veneers are artificial coverings of front teeth and they fake any crookedness. They are not natural, like orthodontic tooth movement, and can be harder to floss or keep clean than the natural approach of straightening teeth with orthodontics. Orthodontics also has a benefit of putting the roots of the teeth more healthfully centered in bone.

While six veneers covering only the upper six front teeth can cost as much or more than orthodontics, veneering can be done in two to three appointments. There is a greater time investment to getting a smile the natural, orthodontic way, but we are usually helping the patient to align their smile in both jaws, and additionally moving front and back teeth for your bite correction, too.
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10.  Does orthodontics hurt?

To say that teeth do not complain when they are asked to move, would not be honest. Good oral hygiene is a must for comfort. While we all perceive discomfort differently, we have developed special techniques, use extremely gentle wires, use miniaturized, computer-like braces or Invisalign® to greatly improve our patient’s comfort while teeth are moving. Actually, when the teeth complain, it is usually a sign that the patient is making good progress.
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11.  Can you treat my jaw joint problems with orthodontics?

I have found that jaw joint problems come in several different forms (have several different names), have multiple causes and are often associated with headaches and even earaches.

Heredity plays a big role, acute and chronic trauma, and several medical problems can affect the jaws and their muscles.

I have learned that patient education, with a dose of patience, can be the best healer of all in many cases.

To be most helpful to the patient, I need to distinguish between the patient's stated problem inside the joint itself or the problem from outside the jaw joint itself.

This requires a thorough study and identification of the causes. Sometimes the bite can be part of the problem.

I offer help in many ways. Sometimes I can help before orthodontics with some sort of splint (bite guard), or exercises, or medication and sometimes with a bite adjustment (called equilibration). Often, I can do many of these during or following any tooth moving for maximum comfort.

Fees for this care vary and depend on the specific set of problems a patient brings me and the length of time we work together.

Most universities will tell you that orthodontics, alone, is not likely to rid someone of jaw joint or muscle ache problems.

For your well being, I consider the whole patient and when necessary, my experience dictates calling in medical specialists or TMJ specialist in universities.

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