Orthodontic FAQs

Selecting 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.

This means they're better qualified to give you the smile of your dreams with more attention and care than you could get from aligners in the mail.

Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth.

Only those with this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

Dr. Beim 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.

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at nearly any age. In fact, about one in every five orthodontic patients today is over age 18.

Thanks to today’s smaller, less visible and more comfortable orthodontic appliance options (including metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign), adults find treatment appealing.

Patients who require orthodontic treatment generally have one to three years of active treatment. However, this will vary from case to case, since each person will have 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 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. Our staff also works with 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 doctor and patient.

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.

You will also need to see your general dentist as recommended to continue your general dental care.

If you notice an unwanted change in your smile or bite, contact us for a free consultation.

You might need an orthodontic tune-up to regain proper tooth alignment.

Not necessarily. Research suggests that wisdom teeth don’t always cause teeth to shift.

In most cases, wisdom teeth are removed for general dental health reasons rather than for orthodontic health.

Your family dentist or Dr. Beim can help determine whether or not your wisdom teeth need to be removed.

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 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. Teeth are not set in concrete, they’re in bone.

Because the bone around your teeth is continually changing (breaking down and rebuilding), your teeth may shift after your braces are removed.

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

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.

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

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