Edmonton Barrhead, AB Orthodontic FAQs

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.

Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will familiarize you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. The doctor will complete a thorough review.

Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goals of orthodontic therapy. If there is inadequate dental arch length to accommodate all the teeth, or if there are significant relationship issues with the teeth and jaws, then the removal of individual teeth may be required. If the relationship of the jaws is acceptable, and if there is an adequate dental bone to accommodate the teeth, then the extraction of teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.

It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the estimated cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also supply you with an estimate to submit to your insurance provider to help you to maximize your benefit and file your claims.

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. Therefore, it is crucial that you have your schedule with you, so you can book a time that is most convenient. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

Generally, braces do not “hurt.” After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”

No. Shots are not necessary for orthodontic treatment.

Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports. Let us know, and we can craft a mouth guard for you.

Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include ice, hard candy, and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office immediately. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.

Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of seven and ten. Phase One treatment lasts about 12-21 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.

After the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.

Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age seven. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to evaluate your orthodontic condition.

If you or your child could potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, call our office or send us an e-mail (see phone numbers on the red tab above). We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.

There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
What must be done to correct the problem?
Will any teeth need to be removed?
How long will the treatment take to complete?
How much will the treatment cost?

Treatment time depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 20 to 30-months. The “average” time frame that a person is in braces is approximately 24-months.

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every four to six weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return, so we ask that parents check-in with the reception desk before dropping off their child.

Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.

Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.

Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.

Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day – after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces. Flossing should be done once a day.

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient’s growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.

It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the “resting period,” during which time growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations. Sometimes the patient will be referred back to the family dentist for interceptive care in the form of space maintainers and removable appliances to obtain minor tooth movement.

A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 per cent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is “too old” to wear braces!

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is crucial that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.

We are motivated to serve our patients. It is our goal to provide you with a smile that you can be proud to display.

If, after the initial examination appointment, you wish to proceed with orthodontic therapy, then we will schedule an appointment to gather orthodontic records. It is at this time that we will obtain radiographs (X-rays), photographs and initial study models. Once these orthodontic records have been analyzed by Dr. Haberstock and Associates, he will formulate a definitive treatment plan. A consultation appointment will also be scheduled so that the treatment plan can be conveyed to you.