When should my child see an orthodontist? The Canadian and American Associations of Orthodontists recommend that all children be seen by an orthodontist by the age of 7. Some children may benefit from early orthodontic treatment at this age. Although your child may not be ready for treatment at this age, it allows the orthodontist to monitor your child and decide on the best time to start orthodontic treatment, if necessary. Back to top
	Am I too old for orthodontic treatment? You are never too old for a beautiful smile. The movement of teeth can be accomplished at any age if your gums and bones are healthy. The number of adults in our office is growing. This is because adults have a choice of metal braces, clear ceramic braces or Invisalign aligners. The benefits of orthodontic treatment are not only to create a beautiful smile, but to improve the health of your gums and teeth and to create a better bite (fit) of your teeth. Orthodontic treatment can also aid in the preparation for the placement of implants, crowns and bridges. Back to top
	How long will my orthodontic treatment take? The length of treatment depends on your individual case. Treatment can last from as little as a few months to as many as 3 years. Typically, treatment is 18 months to 2 years in length. Back to top
	What is Invisalign? Am I a candidate for Invisalign treatment? Invisalign is a series of clear and removable aligners which straighten the teeth without braces and wires. The aligners are worn full time (at least 22 hours/day)except for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing your teeth. Each set of aligners are worn for at least 2 weeks and the teeth move gradually to their final positions. The treatment time varies depending on the number of aligners that are required to straighten the teeth. To learn more about Invisalign visit their web site at www.invisalign.com. Dr. Berka is a certified provider of Invisalign. At your consultation Dr. Berka will determine if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment. Invisalign treatment is usually reserved for patients with mild to moderate spacing or crowding. Invisalign candidates do not have significant problems with their bites (i.e. overbite or underbite). Back to top
	Will I need permanent teeth out for my orthodontic treatment? This depends on your individual case. In cases of moderate to severe crowding, it is necessary to remove permanent teeth in order to align the teeth. Removal of teeth in such circumstances provides the best longterm result. Removal of permanent teeth is also recommended for certain bites. Back to top
	How much does orthodontic treatment cost? What are my payment options? The cost of orthodontic treatment is determined after Dr. Berka has completed the examination and determined the treatment plan. The cost of your treatment depends on many factors such as treatment complexity, treatment time and treatment plan. This information is fully explained to you at your consultation appointment. The costs of orthodontic treatment at Milton Orthodontics are competitive to those in Milton and the surrounding communities. We offer various payment methods to meet your financial needs. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Debit, post-dated cheques and cash for your convenience. We also have multiple payment schedules that we can customize to your specific situation. Please, speak with us and we will do our best to make your financial contract meet your specific financial requirements. Back to top
	Will my insurance cover orthodontic treatment? At your consultation we will provide you with a completed Canadian Association of Orthodontics Predetermination form. This is then submitted to your insurance company. The insurance company will notify you if you have coverage and the maximum benefit. We neither bill nor receive payments directly from the insurance company. Payments are made to us directly from the parents or patient (responsible party).A receipt by our office is issued and then submittted by the parents or patient (the policy holder)for reimbursement from the insurance company. Back to top
	How do you put braces on? The tooth surface is first cleaned with a polishing agent so that there is no plaque on the teeth. This is the same polish that your dentist uses at your cleaning appointments.Then the teeth are conditioned with a blue etch that looks like a needle, but it is not (we do not use any needles in our office). A solution is then painted on the teeth. The braces are strategically placed on the teeth and a blue light is used to harden the glue. Very easy! Back to top
	Do braces hurt? The actual procedure of having braces put on does not hurt at all. However, once everything is placed most patients find that for the first few days their teeth will be tender/sore. We recommend Tylenol or Advil to help ease the discomfort. This discomfort will be felt to varying degrees after each adjustment of your braces. Back to top
	How do I keep my teeth clean with braces on? It is definitely more difficult to clean your teeth with braces and wires attached to them. It is so important to keep your teeth clean as poor oral hygiene with braces can lead to permanent damage to the teeth and gums. We encourage that you see your dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and check-ups. At Milton Orthodontics, we care about your oral hygiene. We include an Oral B electic toothbrush for all our patients entering into full upper and lower braces as part of your treatment. A kit of oral hygiene supplies is also given to you at the start of treatment (little brushes, floss, floss threaders and manual toothbrush). You will spend at least 30 minutes with Stephanie or Dineen (our dental assistants) reviewing how to brush and floss before you start with your braces. You can ask many questions at this meeting. At each adjustment visit we will assess your level of oral hygiene. We will offer you tips on how to improve in any areas you may be missing. Back to top
	What are retainers for? Retainers are a very important part of orthodontic treatment. Typically, retainers are used to maintain the final orthodontic result. Without retainers, the teeth and bite could shift after the braces are removed. Retainers can be wires bonded to the back surface of the upper and/or lower teeth or removable retainers worn at nighttimes. Retainers are worn many years after the completion of active orthodontic treatment. Sometimes retainers (especially lower bonded retainers) are recommended for a lifetime. Retainers are rarely used to actively move teeth. Back to top