Answers to Common Questions About Orthodontics
Selecting an orthodontist in the Minneapolis area who can help you achieve your smile dreams is important. Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities.
This means they’re better qualified you to give you the smile of your dreams than you could get from aligners in the mail.
They 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. William Kottemann, Dr. Kraig Kottemann, Dr. Scott Kottemann, Dr. Angela Bukstein, and Dr. Alisha Holt from Kottemann Orthodontics have achieved this specialization and is are active members of the AAO.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age seven. By this age, most children have several permanent teeth that have erupted, letting us evaluate their orthodontic needs.
Also by this age, our doctors can 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 they’re found early. Most orthodontic patients begin active braces treatment between ages 9 and 14.
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at almost any age. In fact, about one in every four orthodontic patients today is over age 18.
Thanks to today’s smaller, less visible and more comfortable orthodontic appliances, including metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign, adults find treatment appealing.
This question doesn’t have a concrete answer, unfortunately. Every case is different, but the average length of the active stage of orthodontic treatment is anywhere from 6-36 months.
After this phase of treatment is complete, a retainer will need to be worn for as long as your doctor feels necessary based on their individual case. We work as a team with both parents and teen to create a smile that will last a lifetime.
This can be determined through a free consultation at our Chaska, Maple Grove, Orono, or Plymouth office.
The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on many factors, including the severity of the problem, how complex the problem is, and how long treatment lasts.
Your doctor will be glad to discuss the cost of treatment and your financing options with you before 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.
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 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.
A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, and excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue.
Without treatment, many problems become worse and can require additional dental care later in life.
Orthodontic treatment is a partnership between the doctor and patient.
Our doctors provide custom-made fixed or removable appliances that use gentle pressure to move teeth into their proper positions.
Your job is to follow the instructions of your doctor, keep 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 at (763) 420-6834 for information.
You might need an orthodontic tune-up to regain proper 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 one of our doctors can help determine whether or not your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
Your doctor will recommend how long to 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 prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after your orthodontic treatment.
There are many reasons teeth may move following orthodontic treatment. Teeth are not set in concrete, they are in bone.
Because 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 your doctor has placed them through braces treatment.
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.
Ask your orthodontist for guidance about your long-term retainer use.
Signs include crowded or spaced teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, misplaced or blocked-out teeth, and jaws that shift or make sounds.
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 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 is to wear your retainers as prescribed. If you notice movement after your braces are removed, please contact Kottemann Orthodontics.
Braces can cause discomfort, especially after adjustments, but this usually subsides within a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort.
Absolutely. If your teen athlete is wearing traditional braces, it’s crucial to protect their smile to stay on track with their treatment.
We strongly recommend that they use an orthodontic mouthguard to protect their braces, and their mouth, from any potential injury.
Your teen can play any contact sport if they use the proper orthodontic mouthguard.
If your teen has Invisalign, they can take their aligner out before practice or a game, and put it back in afterward.
Traditional metal braces might affect the way your teen plays some instruments.
Invisalign is an excellent alternative treatment because removing their aligner before playing gives them no limitations.
Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can damage braces, such as popcorn, nuts, hard candies, gum, and chewy candy.
Encourage regular brushing and flossing around the braces, use an interdental brush for hard-to-reach areas, and consider using a water flosser.
Contact your orthodontist as soon as possible for advice and to schedule a repair appointment.
Traditional braces are made of metal, while ceramic braces have clear or tooth-colored brackets that blend in with the teeth, making them less noticeable.
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.
Yes! Regular check-ups with your general dentist are important while in braces. Your dentist will determine the intervals between each cleaning appointment while you have your braces.
Many factors at work may cause teeth to shift. Such changes are different for everyone, and most of the time, they are hardly noticeable.
However, on occasion, changes can occur that are disappointing to both the patient and their doctor.
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.
Invisalign treatment FAQs
The Invisalign system is a series of clear aligners used to straighten teeth.
- Time for a snack? No problem. Take out your aligners to eat or drink whenever you want.
- Since Invisalign is virtually invisible, chances are no one will even notice anything is different, until your new smile is revealed, of course.
- You can remove your Invisalign aligners, so you can brush and floss regularly, and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- You can occasionally remove your Invisalign aligners and enjoy a special night out.
- There’s no need to change a thing. Continue your day-to-day activities while still straightening your teeth.
- Be yourself with Invisalign. Since it’s clear, you don’t have to hide your smile while going through treatment.
- With Invisalign, it’s easy to make your smile picture perfect for that special occasion.
- Invisalign appointments work with your schedule. Most visits are in and out, with a quick progress check once every six weeks.
The Invisalign system is the virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth and achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Using advanced 3D computer imaging technology, Invisalign depicts your complete treatment plan, from the initial position of your teeth to the final desired position.
Then, a series of clear aligners are custom-made for your teeth – and your teeth only – to move them little by little. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the series until the final position of your teeth is achieved. Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by your doctor based on your specific needs.
Invisalign aligners are clear; no one should even notice that you’re wearing braces, making Invisalign a seamless fit with your lifestyle and day-to-day interactions with others. Invisalign is removable. Unlike braces, you have the flexibility to eat and drink what you want during treatment simply by removing the aligners when you eat.
You can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and good oral hygiene.
Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign does not use metal brackets or wires that could cause irritation to your mouth. In addition, you’ll spend less time in the doctor’s chair and scheduling appointments, and more time out doing the things you love.
Lastly, Invisalign allows you to view your virtual results and treatment plan before you start your treatment, so that you can preview how your straight teeth will look once your treatment is complete.
More than 1,000,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Invisalign. The number of Invisalign smiles grows daily.
At your next appointment, we can help answer any questions you might have, and get you started on the smile you’ve always wanted.
As long as you wear your Invisalign aligners the recommended 20-22 hours a day, this alternative option can be just as effective as traditional braces for most common dental issues.
Invisalign has been used to treat a lot of oral problems that range from very simple to severe. Invisalign can be used to fix problems that include crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, deep bite, open bite, midline shift, and crossbite. We offer a free initial consultation to prospective patients, which will let us know if this treatment is a good fit for you.
Even though not everybody will be a candidate for Invisalign, you probably will be. Drawing on his extensive experience with both Invisalign and traditional braces, we’ll provide with you a more specific recommendation after your evaluation based on an analysis of your individual orthodontic needs.
The amount of time you’ll be in Invisalign aligners will depend on how serious your particular case is.
This can only be determined after an initial orthodontic evaluation. However, most Invisalign cases take around 9 to 15 months, while some less complicated cases take as little as 6 months.
Invisalign retainers are made from a patented, lightweight, BPA-free plastic material that is custom-designed to fit precisely over your teeth. This wafer thin medical material is completely clear and effectively invisible.
Though there may be occasional discomfort associated with the snug fit of starting a new set of aligners, you won’t have to worry about the more regular irritation and inconvenience of metal braces.
Invisalign has been available to adults since 1998, and Invisalign Teen was introduced in the summer of 2008.
Since its release, over 4 million patients have benefited from this unique aligner system!
We do our best to provide you with affordable orthodontic solutions. Because we understand the families we serve have budgets they need to maintain, we’re proud to provide flexible payment options to meet your needs.
We also partner with a variety of insurance companies to cover as much of your treatment as possible. We offer free consultations, and would be happy to help you figure out how to finance Invisalign treatment for you or your family.
When you choose us for your Invisalign treatment, you are choosing more than just the latest orthodontic technology or cutting edge equipment. You’re choosing to become part of the Kottemann Orthodontics family!
With that choice comes our promise to provide high-quality orthodontic treatment to you, complete with fantastic customer service and a highly trained staff.
We’re as excited as you are to provide you with a straighter, healthier smile.
You can schedule your free consultation with us by clicking here and our staff will contact you with more details.
You can contact us directly by calling (763)420-6834.