Orthodontic FAQs

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven.

Not every child needs treatment, but by age seven your child will have a mixture of permanent and baby teeth. This is a great time for Dr. Clauss to screen for potential bite discrepancies before they have the chance to evolve into something more severe.

Early orthodontic intervention can allow us to break your child’s treatment up into two phases, rather than one longer (or even costlier) one.

We often rely on this method to help avoid the need for oral surgery.

Phase 1 is interceptive, where we try to catch potential problems before they start. We adjust the early formation and development of your child's mouth.

Phase 2 is corrective, where we use treatment methods to fine-tune your child's tooth alignment once all of their adult teeth have erupted.

The foods and drinks that you consume can potentially cause orthodontic appliances to break off. Please ask your orthodontic assistant if you have a question about a specific food.

Food Guidelines

Avoid

• Any sticky, chewy or hard foods
• Any chewy candy
• Bubblegum*
• Candied apples
• Caramels
• Jerky
• Licorice
• Nuts
• Peanut brittle
• Popcorn
• Taffy

Be Very Careful

• Doritos or any chip snacks
• Fritos
• Hard French fries
• Hard rolls
• Hard toast
• Pizza crust
• Pretzels (hard or soft)

Do Not Bite Into

• Anything sticky or chewy
• Do not chew on ice or pens
• Hard candy
• Lollipops
• Popsicles
• Whole, raw apples or carrots(slice them)

*Note: Absolutely NO gum of any kind can be chewed while you're in braces. Chewing gum wraps around brackets and wires and causes damage to your orthodontic appliances and your teeth.

On average, most patients wear their braces for 12-24 months. Dr. Clauss will provide you with an estimated timeline at the time of your initial exam.

Depending on whether or not we are treating a specific cosmetic issue or you are undergoing comprehensive orthodontic therapy, the length of your case can vary greatly.

Much like traditional braces, clear braces use ceramic brackets that are made from tooth-colored materials instead of metal.

While still visible, the less noticeable appliances blend in better with your smile.

We work closely with your insurance carrier to maximize benefit coverage on all treatment. Remaining balances can be auto-drafted at a 0% interest rate on a month-to-month basis for the duration of the therapy.

Have more than one family member receiving treatment? Ask about our courtesy program.

Several dental insurances will cover a portion of orthodontic treatment, depending on the case. Clauss Orthodontics accepts most insurances including, Delta, Cigna and Anthem.

Our Treatment Coordinator will be able to assist you in determining the benefits of your plan and discuss payment options.

Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces for teens and adults.

Dr. Clauss will determine at the time of your initial appointment what the best treatment option is for you or your child depending on age, oral care, length of treatment, and complexity of the case.

Dr. Clauss tries to recommend as few extractions as possible. However, there are instances where a tooth may be unhealthy or specific aesthetic results cannot be achieved unless certain teeth are removed.

After your braces are removed, you will need a retainer. Retainers serve to keep teeth in their current position, so that they do not relapse into the previous one. Retention is a lifelong process.