Orthodontic FAQs

Finding an orthodontist in Lake Mary who can help you achieve the smile of your dreams is important. Orthodontists are dental specialists who are trained to diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial abnormalities.

You want a local expert in Lake Mary to create your new smile—not from aligners you get in the mail.

Dr. Michael Beim is an orthodontist. Orthodontists are dentists first. Out of 100 dental school graduates, on average, only six go on to become orthodontists.

To practice orthodontics, Dr. Beim spent 10 years in training (four years of college, four years of dental school, and two years of orthodontics residency). When he was an orthodontic student, Dr. Beim spent years learning the skills needed to manage tooth movement and to guide facial development.

Only those, like (Dr. Beim) with this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). Our doctor at Beim Orthodontics has achieved this specialization and is an active member of the AAO.

The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Beim recommend an orthodontic screening at the age of seven. By this age, most children have several permanent teeth that have erupted, letting us thoroughly evaluate their orthodontic needs.

By this age, Dr. Beim is able to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.

That’s important, because some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if Dr. Beim finds them early on.

Most orthodontic patients at our Lake Mary office begin active braces treatment between ages 9 and 14.

At Beim Orthodontics, orthodontic treatment can be successful at nearly any age. In fact, about one in every five orthodontic patients today is over age 18 at our Lake Mary office.

Thanks to today’s smaller, less visible and more comfortable orthodontic appliance options (including Damon metal braces, ceramic braces, and Spark clear aligners), adults around Lake Mary find treatment appealing.

Patients who require orthodontic treatment generally have one to three years of active treatment at Beim Orthodontics. However, this will vary from case to case, since each person living around Lake Mary has unique needs and will respond to treatment differently.

Once Dr. Beim examines your mouth, teeth, and gums, he’ll be able to give you an exact answer.

The cost of orthodontic treatment at Beim Orthodontics depends on many factors, including the severity of the problem, what treatment option is used, and how long treatment lasts.

Dr. Beim will be glad to discuss the cost of treatment and your financing options with you before your treatment begins.

The good news is that braces are more affordable today than ever at Beim Orthodontics. Our Lake Mary team also works with Florida insurance companies and offers payment plans that meet your family’s budget and lifestyle.

Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems.

Other oral problems are caused by extended thumb- or finger-sucking, dental disease, accidents, the early or late loss of baby teeth, or other causes.

Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain, which can lead some people to develop additional oral health issues.

A bad bite can wear down teeth, make it hard to chew and talk and create stress on supporting bone and gum tissue.

Without treatment, many problems can become worse and eventually require additional dental care later in life.

Orthodontic treatment is a partnership between the you and Dr. Beim.

Dr. Beim provides each patient with custom-made fixed or removable appliances that use gentle pressure to move teeth into their proper positions.

Your job is to follow Dr. Beim’s treatment plan, keep your scheduled orthodontic appointments, and maintain excellent oral hygiene to get the best results.

Dr. Beim will recommend how long you should continue wearing your retainers, whether they are removable (the kind you put in and take out) or fixed (bonded behind your teeth).

Wearing your retainers as directed by Dr. Beim is the best way to keep your teeth from shifting after your orthodontic treatment is complete.

There are many reasons teeth may shift following orthodontic treatment at Beim Orthodontics. Teeth are not set in concrete, they’re in bone.

By wearing your retainers, your teeth are more likely to remain where Dr. Beim has guided them through braces treatment.

No. Retainers stabilize and preserve the alignment of teeth and jaws that orthodontic treatment achieved by Dr. Beim.

Many people around Lake Mary wear removable retainers nightly for the rest of their lives once they complete their orthodontic treatment. Ask your Dr. Beim for guidance about your long-term retainer use.

The small changes that happen after braces are removed are due to settling in as you use your teeth for biting and chewing.

The more serious and unwanted changes may be traced to genetics or later-than-normal growth, which is unpredictable.

Movement is most common in the lower front teeth. This is particularly true if the teeth were extremely crowded before treatment. Changes in tooth position are a lifelong and naturally occurring phenomenon.

The best way to keep your teeth from shifting after treatment is to wear your retainers as prescribed by Dr. Beim. If you notice movement after your braces are removed, please contact Beim Orthodontics and we’ll help determine your next steps.

The fact is that throughout your lifetime, even though you have had orthodontic treatment, you can expect changes in tooth position.

Many factors at work may cause teeth to shift. These changes are different for everyone, and most of the time, they are hardly even noticeable.

However, on occasion, changes can occur that are disappointing to both the patient and Dr. Beim. Changes in tooth position are not a failure of your orthodontic treatment - they are a natural process. We expect changes in our bodies as we grow older, and teeth are no exception.

To help control and limit these changes, retainers are prescribed after your braces are removed.

Yes! Regular check-ups with your general dentist around Lake Mary are important while wearing braces or Spark clear aligners.

Your dentist will determine the intervals between each cleaning appointment while you have your braces.

Yes. Once treatment begins, you Beim Orthodontics team will give you instructions and provide you with a comprehensive list of foods to avoid.

Some of those foods include ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e., caramel and taffy). You can avoid most repair appointments by carefully following our instructions!