Frequently
Asked Questions

At Glades Orthodontics, we recommend scheduling your child's first orthodontic consultation at around the age of 7. This is in line with the recommendation of the American Association of Orthodontists, as it allows our orthodontists to assess your child's dental development and identify any potential issues early on. By this age, some permanent teeth have typically erupted, allowing us to evaluate the spacing and alignment of your child's teeth. While treatment may not be necessary at this age, early evaluations can help us monitor the growth of your child's teeth and jaws and determine the right time to begin orthodontic treatment if needed. Additionally, early consultations enable us to provide early intervention for any developing orthodontic problems and guide the growth of your child's teeth and jaw to prevent more serious issues in the future. Our team at Glades Orthodontics is dedicated to providing personalized care and creating healthy, beautiful smiles for our young patients.

The length of time you will need to wear braces depends on the severity of your orthodontic issues, your treatment plan, and how well you follow the orthodontist's recommendations. On average, most patients wear braces for 18-24 months, but this can vary. During your initial consultation, Dr. Cronauer will assess your unique needs and provide an estimate of how long your treatment will take. We pride ourselves on providing personalized treatment plans to achieve the best results for each patient. Our team will work to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible with regular adjustments and monitoring to ensure your treatment progresses according to plan. At Glades Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile in a timely manner. Rest assured, our goal is to provide exceptional care and deliver optimal results for each and every patient.

Yes, it's a good idea to see your dentist before coming in for a consultation at Glades Orthodontics if it has been more than 6 months since your last visit with the dentist. Your dentist can provide important general oral health information and identify any issues that may need to be addressed before beginning orthodontic treatment. Additionally, your dentist may be able to address any current dental concerns or provide a professional cleaning before starting orthodontic treatment. However, we can still see you for a consult if you have not been to your dentist yet. Our team of orthodontic specialists is equipped to assess your orthodontic needs and provide personalized treatment plans. However, any dental work that is needed must be completed prior to starting orthodontic treatment. If you have recently had dental work done or if you have concerns about your dental health, we encourage you to communicate this information to our team during your consultation. At Glades Orthodontics, we prioritize the overall health and wellness of our patients, and we work collaboratively with your dentist to ensure that your orthodontic treatment aligns with your dental care. Our goal is to provide you with a seamless and comprehensive orthodontic experience, and we are dedicated to addressing your specific needs and concerns during your treatment journey.

Yes, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene, especially when you have braces. The brackets and wires of the braces can create more places for plaque to build up, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not properly cared for. We recommend brushing your teeth after every meal and snack, as well as using an interdental brush or floss threader to remove food particles and plaque from around the braces. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and make sure to brush along the gum line and all surfaces of your teeth, including around the brackets and wires. It is also important to schedule regular dental cleanings and check-ups with your orthodontist to ensure your teeth and braces remain in optimal condition. Proper oral hygiene is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums during orthodontic treatment. If you have any questions or need further guidance on oral care with braces, our team at Glades Orthodontics is here to support you every step of the way.

The frequency of your adjustment visits will depend on your individual treatment plan and the type of orthodontic appliances you are using. Typically, patients with traditional metal braces may need to visit every 4-10 weeks for adjustments, while those using clear aligners may have appointments every 8-12 weeks. These appointments are important for ensuring that your treatment progresses smoothly and that your braces or aligners are properly adjusted to achieve optimal results. Our team will work with you to schedule these visits at convenient times to accommodate your busy schedule. Additionally, we will provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for your orthodontic appliances and maintain good oral hygiene between appointments to support the success of your treatment.

Don't stress! We're here to help. For patients with aligners: Sometimes a plastic tray can crack. Most of the time, the cracks are very small at the edge of the tray. You can continue with that tray without issue. For larger cracks, you can skip to your next tray. If you do not have the following tray or if it does not fit, please call us. For patients with braces: If you experience any issues with your orthodontic appliances, such as a broken wire, loose bracket, broken appliance, or a long wire from space closure, please give us a call. In the meantime, you can alleviate discomfort by using orthodontic wax to cover any sharp edges until you can visit our office. If a wire is poking, you can use a pencil eraser to gently push it back into place. Avoid eating sticky or hard foods that could further damage the appliance. Your well-being and the success of your orthodontic treatment are our top priorities.

Retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment because they help maintain the position of your teeth after braces or aligners are completed. At Glades Orthodontics, we want to ensure that the beautiful smile you achieved through treatment stays intact. Retainers help prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original position, allowing the bones and tissues to adapt to the new alignment. They are crucial for long-term success and to prevent the need for additional orthodontic treatment in the future. We recommend wearing your retainers as directed by our orthodontist to achieve the best results. Retainers should be worn at least nightly. Our team also provides thorough instructions on how to care for and wear your retainers to maintain your smile for years to come.

Typically, after completing your orthodontic treatment, we will instruct you to wear your retainer full-time for the first two weeks, and then transition to wearing it only at night. It's important to follow your orthodontist's instructions closely to ensure that your teeth remain in their newly aligned positions. Failure to wear your retainer as prescribed can result in your teeth shifting back to their original positions, reversing the progress made during your orthodontic treatment. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to wearing your retainer to keep your smile looking its best, because even missing a few nights can allow movement that may affect how your retainer fits. If you have any concerns about your retainer or its usage, please don't hesitate to contact our office for further guidance.

If your permanent retainer breaks, it's important to contact us as soon as possible for an appointment to have it repaired or replaced. In the meantime, try to keep the broken retainer laying against your teeth in a comfortable position, and if you have a clear lower retainer, wear that over it to prevent irritation. Avoid eating hard or sticky foods to prevent further damage.