Most of our patients are referred by family or friends but some patients decide to schedule an examination themselves after visiting our website.  
An orthodontic screening is recommended at age 7 by the American Association of Orthodontists. This age is suitable since most children have several permanent teeth erupted which allows us to evaluate the child’s orthodontic condition. Smiles R Forever encourages regular pediatric visits to start at 6 months as recommended.  
The patient will be seen by the staff and doctor who will show you around our office and explain everything about the process. We may take necessary x-rays, photos, and perform an exam to help make the proper diagnosis.  
There are 6 questions that will be answered during the initial appointment.

  • Is there an orthodontic problem, and if yes, what is the problem?
  • What can we do to correct the problem?
  • Will any teeth need to be taken out?
  • How long will treatment take?
  • How much will treatment cost?
  • Are the Smiles R Forever  doctors and team who I trust to give me that great straight smile I have always wanted and wished for?
Extracting teeth is sometimes required to get the best results but due to new technology and advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary. Non extraction therapy is our preferred goal. Preserving more teeth in your smile can help your jaw stability and TMJ health.  
Treatment time depends on each individual case. In general, it can range anywhere from 3-30 months. The national average treatment time is 13 months. Invisalign is usually a little quicker than conventional braces.  
It’s impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we’ve done an exam and planned your treatment. We will review the cost, how much your insurance will help, and our financing options during the first appointment. We want to accommodate your needs and help to maximize your insurance benefits. 
Yes, we can review financing options at the consultation appointment. We offer Care Credit and can help you apply in our office.  
Appointment scheduling varies depending on each patient’s needs but most orthodontic patients need to be seen every 5-12 weeks. If there is something that requires more frequent or less monitoring, we will schedule it accordingly.  
We will try our best to meet your scheduling needs but it is unlikely that we can schedule all appointments during after school hours. Some of our doctors have evening and Saturday hours to make scheduling more convenient. Since most appointments are scheduled 5-10 weeks apart, most patients will miss a minimal amount of school due to their treatment.  
No, but on some occasions we may need to speak with a parent so we ask that a parent check in with a treatment coordinator after each appointment or give us your email address and we can communicate via email. We will also have you sign a consent form to allow us to treat your minor when you are not in the office with them. 
Phase 1 treatment is not always necessary but if it is, it’s usually started at or around the ages of 6-8 and can last anywhere from 6-18 months. The main goal of phase 1 is to address issues like severe crowding, crossbite, overbites, thumb habits and underbites. Phase 1  treats is sometimes necessary so that it can correct problems that are best treated early and then later when all permanent teeth are in, phase 2 treatment will get teeth to their best position.  
It’s best to assume that your child will need phase 2 treatment. The time after phase 1 is the resting period where we will closely observe your child during their growth and tooth eruption. Throughout this time, we will see your child every 6 months for their regular dental cleanings and exams.  
This will be determined at the consultation appointment.  
No, many of our patients are adults. Health, happiness, and self-esteem are very important to adults. No patient is too old to straighten teeth.  Straight teeth are not only esthetically pleasing, but aid in healthier gums, easier cleaning, and proper bite, which is important at any age.  
Yes, a tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a filling will. If teeth are missing, the orthodontic treatment will assist in the position of the remaining teeth.  
All of the dentists at Smiles R Forever are general dentists who have extensive training and decades of experience in straightening smiles. 
At certain times during treatment, teeth can be sore for a few days. Tylenol can be taken to relieve any discomfort but most visits will not cause any soreness. With Invisalign there is far less discomfort than traditional braces due to not having brackets that can irritate tissue. The plastic trays are more comfortable and you usually only have soreness the first day you start a new set of aligners. 
Yes, there is no reason to miss the whole day of school for an appointment
Shots are rarely necessary for braces or Invisalign.
No, we believe each patient should have their own braces or Invisalign aligners to achieve the best orthodontic results. 
Yes, we recommend wearing a mouth guard for all sports
All the dentists at Smiles R Forever are general dentists, so we can see you for your cleanings and regular dental visits as well as your orthodontic visits. 
When treatment begins, we will provide a complete list of instructions and provide a list of foods you should avoid if necessary. Invisalign patients do not have any food restrictions but both Invisalign and braces patients should limit or avoid soda, and sweetened tea, coffee, or juice. 
Patients should brush and floss their teeth after every meal and before bed.  
If you are in extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call the office and we can either address the issue over the phone or set aside time for you to come into the office. Invisalign patients have significantly less emergency issues than traditional braces patients. 
Some orthodontic issues do require treatment while baby teeth are still present but if a patient is not ready, we will follow the patient’s growth and development until the time is right to begin treatment. 
No, after the permanent molars have come in, the space for your front teeth can actually decrease as you age.