Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing An Orthodontist Agustin Drubi, DMD, Orthodontist
Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing An Orthodontist 1. What Is An Orthodontist? An Orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in straightening teeth and making healthy bites. The name of the specialty is actually Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Orthodontics means straightening teeth, while Dentofacial Orthopedics deals with guiding jaw growth and other habits in growing children. After becoming dentists, Orthodontists go through 2-3 years of additional education at an accredited Orthodontic Program to become Orthodontists. Orthodontists not only deal with straightening teeth, but also make sure your teeth, jaws, gums and muscles work in balance to have both a healthy bite and an esthetic smile. While general dentists are allowed to place braces, education in dental school is very limited in Orthodontics. That is why Orthodontist go through additional training to become specialists in their area, and braces is all they do in their practices. In the same way that you trust your heart to a cardiologist, when it comes to straightening your smile, trust an orthodontist specialist. There are a couple of ways to check if your doctor is a specialist. One way is to check their credentials and make sure they completed a 2-3 year program beyond dental school at an accredited institution. The other way is to look for them in the website braces.org. This is the website of the American Association of Orthodontists, an association that only orthodontists can belong to. This website has a search feature to locate orthodontists in your area and also has a lot of educational material for patients. 2. At What Age Should My Child See An Orthodontist? While most people think about braces during their teen years, there are many reasons why your child should visit an orthodontist before that time. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing an Orthodontist Page 1
children receive an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7. Many problems are more easily treated if detected early. Seeing an orthodontist at age seven can give us the chance to: Correct improper jaw growth Guide jaws into their correct position Fix harmful habits such as thumb sucking Improve appearance and selfesteem Lower risk of trauma to teeth that stick out too much Eliminate speech problems Prevent lengthier and more invasive future treatment While only a minority of patients will actually need early treatment or intervention, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Identifying potential problems early can help you and your child avoid more involved treatment in the future, saving you time, money and headaches later on. Most orthodontists offer free examinations. Even if nothing needs to be done at the moment, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you are doing the right thing for your child. Many orthodontists also have observation programs. If no treatment is necessary at the time of the initial evaluation, these programs perform periodic evaluations (usually every 6-12 months), where your orthodontist will monitor how your child is growing and it will allow them to chose the best time for treatment, usually resulting in faster and less expensive treatment. 3. What Treatment Options Are Available? With the recent advances in technology, there are now numerous ways to straighten your teeth that can suit your lifestyle. The vast majority of cases in the US in adolescent patients are still treated with traditional metal braces. Metal braces have evolved with time and are now smaller, smoother, and more comfortable than ever. The science behind the wires has come tremendous lengths in the last years, and newer wires that place gentler forces on your teeth are now available. These advances make orthodontic treatment much Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing an Orthodontist Page 2
easier and comfortable to go through, and the old ways of tightening braces are no longer a problem. Other braces available are: WildSmiles: these are specially designed orthodontic brackets that come in a variety of fun shapes including Stars, Hearts, Sports Balls, Footballs, Flowers and Super-Diamonds. Self-ligating braces. These hightech braces are more comfortable, provide faster treatment, fewer appointments, shorter appointments and are easier to clean. Clear braces: these work just life metal braces but are made of a transparent material, making them much more esthetic. Invisalign : Is a series of customized, clear aligners that move your teeth into position in an esthetic and comfortable way. Hidden braces are custom made braces that go behind your teeth, giving you that perfect smile you've always wanted...all without anyone ever knowing you are wearing braces! 4. How Long Does Treatment Take? Orthodontic treatment in adolescents and adults usually takes between 12-30 months. The treatment time varies depending on the complexity of every case. Sometimes treatment might be longer depending on the circumstances. Early preventive treatment at a younger age usually takes about 6-12 months. Minor problems in adolescents and adults can sometimes be corrected in as little as 6-12 months in most cases. 5. How Much Does Treatment Cost? Treatment cost will vary depending on factors such as the method of treatment used and the complexity of the case. It will also vary among different locations and practitioners. The average fee for traditional metal braces in the United States is around $5,600. Cost for interceptive, or limited treatment for minor problems will usually be lower, while other more esthetic or advanced treatment options will usually be higher. Cost of braces has been pretty stable for the past 20 years, and with the newer financing options available, it has never been more affordable to straighten your smile! Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing an Orthodontist Page 3
As with everything in life, you usually get what you pay for. Fixing your smile is a lifelong investment, and doing your due diligence before making this important investment will definitely pay off in the long run. 6. What Does The Fee Include? Every orthodontist will set up their fees in slightly different ways. That is why it is very important you are informed about what the fee presented to you includes. Most orthodontists' fees are all inclusive, meaning that the one fee presented will include everything that is needed during treatment. Others will break down their fees and charge for different things. These are some of the things to consider if they are included: Initial consultation Diagnostic records (pictures, x- rays, molds, etc.) The braces themselves Retainers Emergency visits Breakage of appliances Any additional appliances that might be needed during treatment. Finding out what things are and are not included in the treatment fee might avoid problems in the future and give you the peace of mind of knowing what to expect. 7. What Financing Options Are Available? There are numerous financing options available. Most orthodontists are now offering these options to make treatment more affordable for everybody. Some of these options include: Interest free payment plans No down payments Third party financing Flex Spending Accounts For specific financing options, please contact your orthodontist. 8. Do You Treat Adults? Yes! In fact, over 20% of patients in the US are adults! With the new advances in technology and esthetic options available, it has never been a better time to fix your smile. People often think that they are too old for braces, but this is not the case. You can get braces at any age. In fact, adults are usually the ones that get the most satisfaction over straightening their smile. This is because most people with crooked teeth have Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing an Orthodontist Page 4
always thought about fixing them but because whether they thought it was too painful, too expensive, or they were too old for braces, never got around to it. Many adults are now realizing the benefits of a healthy, attractive smile, and are amazed by the change in how they feel about themselves after dealing with something that had been bothering them for years! 9. Do You Use Digital X- Rays? One of the best technological advances in orthodontics is the use of digital x- rays. X-rays are used to diagnose the condition of the teeth and jaws and to devise a plan of treatment specific to every individual. Digital x-rays use around 50% less radiation than traditional x-rays, making them a much safer alternative. 10. What Are The Benefits Of Straightening My Smile? There are many reasons why you should straighten your smile. These are just some of them: Achieve an amazing smile Achieve a healthy, functional bite Better oral hygiene Improve whole body health Improve speech Improve self-esteem Improve your emotional health Think of the number of people and encounters that await you in your lifetime, both personally and professionally. Imagine facing all those moments with confidence and a smile that will impress everyone around you. Whether you are 6 or 60, it is never too late to achieve the changes you have always wanted. Investing in your smile is investing in yourself, and investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make! Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing an Orthodontist Page 5
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Drubi is a specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. He specializes in braces, clear braces, Invisalign and lingual hidden braces for both children and adults. He received his Bachelor's degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. He then went on to receive his dental degree at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL, where he graduated at the top of his class. He completed a specialty program in Orthodontics at the Washington Hospital Center and Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. He was the chief orthodontic resident at the Washington Hospital Center and part of the craniofacial team at the Children's National Medical Center, where he received vast experience in the treatment of Cleft Lip/Cleft palate and other craniofacial abnormalities. He is both an Invisalign Premier certified provider and an Incognito lingual hidden braces certified provider. Dr. Drubi uses the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony as a diagnostic and treatment philosophy, which allows him to accurately diagnose and treat even the most complex cases to provide harmony between the teeth, gums, muscles, facial soft tissues, airway, temporo-mandibular joints (TMJ), and function. An unique, individualized plan of treatment is created for every patient to satisfy his or her individual needs. Dr. Drubi is continually taking courses to stay up to date with the latest technology and is proud to offer his patients the best and latest services available such as Invisalign, Incognito hidden braces, self ligating braces, TADs, soft tissue laser, and esthetic ceramic braces. Dr. Drubi is a member of the Hispanic Dental Association, the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists. He maintains a private practice in Miami Lakes, FL.
Drubi Orthodontics 8551 NW 186th St Miami Lakes, FL 33015 (305) 509-6560 www.drubiorthodontics.com