Orthodontic FAQs
Our greatest goal is to give you the healthy, straight, and beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
Frequently asked questions
about orthodontics
- All
- Clear Aligners
- Dental Monitoring
- General Orthodontics
- OrthoPulse®
- Palatal Expander
- SureSmile
- Zeeno Robotics
Orthodontics (also referred to as dentofacial orthopedics) is a specialized form of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received two to three years of additional training and experience. Your orthodontist is able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure, and improve the function of your smile.
If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great age to see the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens, with about one in every five orthodontic patients being over the age of 21. Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any time is a good time to visit the orthodontist.
Braces are used by your orthodontist to help you improve the look and feel of your smile. There are several different types of braces to choose from, including:
- Clear braces
- Ceramic braces
- Lingual braces
- Self-ligating braces
- Invisible braces
- Traditional metal braces
Playing an instrument or a contact sport may require some adjustment when you first get your braces, but wearing braces will not stop you from participating in any of your school activities. If you play a contact sport, it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your braces or appliance.
Simply call our practice! Our front desk staff will be happy to help schedule your next appointment at your convenience. If you are a new patient or have been referred to our practice, please let us know and we will provide you with all of the information you need.
Unlike standard braces, SureSmile® utilizes cutting-edge 3D imaging, digital planning, and custom-fit archwires. This allows us to plan your precise tooth movements digitally, resulting in more efficient treatment and fewer adjustments than traditional methods.
The amount of time spent in braces will vary depending on the individual patient, because every smile responds differently to treatment. Most common treatments take between 14 and 18 months.
Braces do not often hurt though you may feel a small amount of discomfort for a couple days as your teeth, gums, cheeks, and mouth get used to your new braces.
With braces, you should brush your teeth at least three times a day to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and clean. Brushing regularly will help remove any food that may be caught between the braces. You should also floss daily to get in between your braces where your brush isn’t able to reach. Your orthodontist can show you how to properly brush and floss once your braces are placed.
Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up that can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.
ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day. Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your orthodontist or family dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities!
If you take out your retainer to eat, make sure you brush your teeth, floss, and remember to keep it safe in its container so that it does not get lost or broken. Keep your retainer clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You may also soak it in denture cleaner as instructed by your orthodontist. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or in the dishwasher.
During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar, which increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and possibly cavities. Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes), or any foods that could possibly get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, soft bagels, ribs, taffy, etc.).
Clear aligners use a series of virtually invisible, custom-molded plastic trays to gradually and gently shift your teeth into alignment. Each tray is worn for a specific period (usually 1 to 2 weeks) before moving on to the next set in your customized digital plan.
ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day. Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride. When you take out your aligner to eat, make sure you brush your teeth, floss, and remember to keep it safe in its container so that it does not get lost or broken. Keep it clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush.
For your treatment to stay on track and be successful, you must wear your clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours every single day. They should only be removed when you are eating meals, drinking liquids other than plain water, or brushing and flossing your teeth.
Yes! At Orthodontic Specialists of Green Bay, we can combine your clear aligner therapy with advanced acceleration technologies like OrthoPulse® or VPro™ to safely speed up bone remodeling and help you achieve your results more efficiently.
No, you should always remove your clear aligners before drinking anything except plain, room-temperature water. Hot liquids like coffee or tea can warp the medical-grade plastic of the aligners, while dark or sugary drinks (like soda, red wine, or juice) can stain the plastic and trap cavity-causing sugars directly against your teeth.
Yes! OrthoPulse® is FDA-cleared and backed by extensive clinical research. It uses safe near-infrared light to accelerate treatment.
Not at all. The treatment is gentle, and many patients report reduced pain during their orthodontic journey.
Absolutely! OrthoPulse® is effective with both braces and clear aligners.
The OrthoPulse® app helps track your usage and progress, and your orthodontist will monitor the results during your visits.
Contact Orthodontic Specialists of Green Bay to find out if OrthoPulse® is right for your treatment plan.
Yes! Zeeno uses obstacle avoidance and LiDAR navigation to move safely through the office without bumping into people or objects.
Absolutely. Zeeno’s screen and voice assistant Stella can share practice information, hygiene tips, and even help with check-in instructions.
Not at all! While kids love Zeeno’s interactive features, adults appreciate the smooth, modern experience it provides.
No. Zeeno supports our team by handling simple, repetitive tasks, so our staff can focus on what matters most: you.
Yes! Zeeno is designed to engage with patients. You can touch the screen, follow prompts, or even snap a selfie with your new robot friend!
Yes, Dental Monitoring is compatible with various orthodontic treatments, including braces and clear aligners.
The frequency of scans will be determined by your orthodontist based on your specific treatment plan.
Our team is here to assist you. If you experience any difficulties, please contact our office for support.
While Dental Monitoring reduces the number of in-person visits, some appointments may still be necessary for certain procedures or assessments.
Yes, Dental Monitoring employs robust security measures to protect your personal and medical information.
