A. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child be evaluated by age seven. Early detection of some orthodontic problems is important in order to take early corrective action and avoid more difficult treatment later. Most patients, however, are treated during adolescence between the ages of 10-12.

A. The goal of Phase I treatment is to intercept a moderate or severe orthodontic problem early in order to reduce it's severity. In most cases where early orthodontic treatment is recommended, the immediate treatment objective will be one of the following:

• To correct jaw disproportion before aligning teeth
• To prevent injury to protruded front teeth
• To manage crowding and prevent permanent tooth extraction whenever possible
• To eliminate damaging oral habits
• To improve the smile/self confidence

A. Absolutely not! Only certain bites require early intervention. All others can, and should, wait until most or all their permanent teeth erupt.

Recent studies have shown that the results achieved by first phase treatment are no different than the results of second phase treatment.

A. In most cases, yes. After the permanent teeth have erupted, treatment is usually necessary to complete the work that was started in the earlier phase.

The objective of continued treatment is to place the permanent teeth in positions of optimal function, comfort, aesthetics, and long-term stability.

A. Typically, phase I early treatment takes 4 to 6 months, or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient's cooperation, and the degree of movement required.

A. Phase II treatment usually occurs one or two years later and involves "full" braces. Usually, we are waiting for more permanent teeth to erupt before Phase II begins. This most commonly occurs at the age of 10 1/2-13. The goal of Phase II treatment is to achieve an ideal occlusion ("bite") with all of the permanent teeth.

A. As the profession has changed, so have the patients. A generation ago over 95% of all patients were children and teenagers. Today, adults make up over 30% of a successful orthodontist's practice.

The increase in adult patients is partially rooted in popular momentum; as more adults seek orthodontic treatment, others lose their hesitancy about wearing braces.

Add to this the new awareness of appearance in today's society (it's no longer "vain" to want to look good); the advent of aesthetic braces; and the availability of more convenient appointments and shortened treatment time.

A. Recent technological advances have boosted orthodontics from an intuitive proposition to a precise, technically sophisticated method of correcting tooth and jaw problems. Most progressive orthodontists now routinely use techniques such as:

• Minimetal braces - which are bonded to the front of the teeth.
• Clear braces - which eliminate the "tin grin" look.
• Removable appliances - which are used for less complicated treatment.
• Invisible braces - If you like the results but not the look of wearing braces, here is an answer. Researched and developed by a special national committee that included Dr. Ginsberg, invisible (lingual) braces are attached behind the teeth to straighten your smile in much the same way as conventional braces. Dr. Ginsberg is a leader in the use of these appliances and has successfully treated a large number of patients.
• Invisalign - An alternative to braces that is virtually undetectable using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances.

A. Malocclusions are inherited (genetic) or acquired (resulting from events after birth).

Inherited problems include:

• Discrepancy between the size of the jaws and the size of the teeth, resulting in crowding or spacing
• Extra or missing teeth
• Jaw growth problems, such as when one jaw grows more or less than the opposing jaw
• Cleft palate and other jaw or face irregularities

Acquired problems include:

• Premature loss of primary or permanent teeth
• Dental disease
• Thumb or finger sucking
• Breathing problems caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids

A. Braces include brackets, which are bonded directly to the tooth or sometimes attached to a band placed on a molar tooth, and arch wires that connect all the brackets. Unlike what most people think, it is the arch wire that does all the work-the brackets merely serve as handles!

The wires use a steady, gentle pressure to move teeth into their proper positions. Much like moving a stick through sand, as the tooth moves, bone gives way on one side and fills in on the other side.

It is truly amazing. Rubber bands are often worn to help the wires do their job and align the upper teeth with the lower teeth.

A. Usually not. The jaws grow in the back to allow for the eruption of 12-year molars and wisdom teeth, but not in the front. In most children, the available space decreases as larger permanent teeth erupt. Either in a child or an adult, when left untreated, orthodontic problems usually become worse.

Treatment by an orthodontist to correct bite problems is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop later in life.

A. Yes! We will provide you with a mouth guard for all sports. If you play an instrument such as a trumpet, we will provide you with a "lip protector" that works very well to cushion your lip from your braces. Please inform us when you need a mouth guard or lip protector.

A. Yes, regular check-ups with your family dentist are very important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine how often you should be seen for cleaning appointments while you are in braces.

A. Yes, once treatment begins, very complete instructions and a comprehensive list will be provided regarding foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables, and all sticky foods, i.e. "snickers", caramel, and taffy.

Many emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces can be avoided by carefully following instructions regarding foods.

A. Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day; after breakfast, lunch (or as soon as they get home from school), supper, and before going to bed.

We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces on and will also provide a prescription for a special fluoride to help protect teeth.

A. If something happens and your braces are causing pain or if something is broken, you should call our office at (610) 935-1547. In most cases, we can address most issues over the telephone.

A. Our office is available after normal working hours by pager. Simply call the office and wait for the answering machine to answer.

The recorded message will give you instructions and will request that you state the problem and where we can reach you. We will call you as soon as possible. Any time you are unsure of a situation, our staff will be glad to assist you.

A. This is a very common question. Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for all student patients for after school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled six to ten weeks apart, most patients miss very little school because of orthodontic appointments.

We reference all of the area school calendars at the front desk and try very hard to help in all possible ways to assist patient scheduling.

A. As a general rule, braces do not "hurt." After some visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol can be used to 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!

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

A. No. No shots are necessary in orthodontic treatment.

A. Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the very best orthodontic result possible. Dr. Ginsberg would never use worn, used, or recycled braces.

A. Treatment time obviously depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 15 to 28 months. An "average" time a person is in braces is approximately 24 months.

A. It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until Dr. Ginsberg has actually examined you or your child. The exact cost and financial options will be discussed at the initial examination.

We have many financing options available to meet most needs and will be happy to review them with you. We do file insurance on your behalf.

We also offer a discount for fees paid in full in the first month of treatment. Proper orthodontic treatment to correct a problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop in later years.

A. Appointments are scheduled according to each individual patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 6 to 10 weeks.

If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, appointments may be scheduled more often.

A. Upon arriving at Dr. Ginsberg's office each patient and parent will be greeted and asked to fill out a patient information paper that includes some personal information and a brief medical history.

Dr. Ginsberg will conduct a brief but thorough examination of the patient's mouth to determine if there is a need for orthodontic treatment.

He will be looking to determine if there is enough room to hold all of your teeth, if the top teeth are lined up correctly with the bottom teeth, if any teeth are crooked or not growing in the right position, and if there are missing or extra teeth.

He will also be asking the patient if they are experiencing any breathing problems, if they have had any finger or tongue habits, and if they have experienced any jaw joint problems.

A. No, there is no cost for the initial examination. Dr. Ginsberg believes that the relationship established during a patient's first visit is much more important than an "office visit" charge.

A. Estimates of treatment time can only be that — estimates. Patients grow at different rates and will respond in their own ways to orthodontic treatment. The orthodontist has specific treatment goals in mind and will usually continue treatment until these goals are achieved.

Patient cooperation, however, is the single best predictor of staying on time with treatment. Patients who cooperate by wearing rubber bands, headgear, or other needed appliances as directed, while taking care not to damage the appliance, will most often have on-time and excellent treatment results.

A. Teeth and sometimes entire facial structures are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is very important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed.

Dr. Ginsberg graduated from dental school and elected to complete three additional years of training following dental school to become an orthodontist.

He is board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, the only certifying organization recognized by the American Dental Association and has successfully provided orthodontic treatment for thousand of satisfied patients.

A. For patients who have an underdeveloped lower jaw, it is important to begin orthodontic treatment several years before the lower jaw ceases to grow. One method of correcting an underdeveloped jaw uses an orthodontic appliance that repositions the lower jaw.

The Herbst appliance is usually fixed to the upper and lower molar teeth and may not be removed by the patient. By holding the lower jaw forward and influencing jaw growth and tooth positions, the Herbst appliance can help correct severe protrusion of the upper teeth.

A. Baby molar teeth, also known as primary molar teeth, hold needed space for permanent teeth that will come in later.

When a baby molar tooth is lost, an orthodontic device with a fixed wire is usually put between teeth to hold the space for the permanent tooth.

A. After braces are removed, the teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes.

Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.