Initial Visit
Do you charge for an initial visit?
No. We always offer complimentary consultations so Dr. Drobocky can evaluate your smile and see what needs you will specifically have for treatment.
Do I need a referral from a dentist?
No. You can call our office anytime to set up a complimentary consultation.
At what age do you start seeing patients?
The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Drobocky recommend that you bring your child in for an evaluation by the age of 7. This allows Dr. Drobocky to determine if orthodontic treatment will be required and the best time for the patient to be treated which can help reduce the need for extractions in some patients.
Why do you evaluate patients so young?
The purpose of an early evaluation is to inform and observe, more than to start treatment. At this early age, the eventual needs may be identified and discussed. A small percentage of this young group may need some form of intervention. The patients who need to wait a bit for treatment will join our complimentary growth and development program and become a member of the Drobocky Dinos!
How long will the first visit take?
We allow an hour and a half for this appointment. Dr. Drobocky and our Treatment Coordinator will do an extensive exam and if Dr. Drobocky feel that you are ready, we also allow time to get started with some impressions.
Do you take patients transferring from out of town?
Yes, we do. We handle a patient transferring into our office from another city just like a new patient. We gather complete diagnostic records to show the current status and propose treatment to complete the work that has been started. Unlike most practices, we do not ask for a large down payment but merely assess a monthly fee to complete the treatment in progress.
Do you have any adult patients?
Absolutely. A growing percentage of our patients are adults. Now, more cosmetic appliances are making adult treatment much more comfortable and convenient.
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
An orthodontist is a general dentist that has had at least 2 more years of full-time training in orthodontics resulting in a nationally accepted specialty certificate. The orthodontist then limits his practice to straightening teeth and dentofacial orthopedics.
Can I make all my appointments in the afternoon after school and late in the day?
In order to have early and late appointments available for the majority of patients, some procedures need to be accomplished during the hours of 9 and 3. We always do our best to work with your schedules and accommodate your family needs.
Do you see patients for emergencies?
Yes, you can always contact our office at the phone numbers located at the bottom of the page. If there is an emergency outside of our normal hours you may call the same numbers and get information on how to contact our on-call clinical assistant.
Financial
Can we make payments?
Yes. Whether or not you have insurance or a dental plan, we will structure a convenient payment plan that will allow you to pay for necessary services over a period of time that usually coincides with your treatment plan.
How do you handle insurance?
After verification of coverage, we will agree to bill and collect from an insurance carrier. However, we ask patients to understand that if coverage ceases or changes, the patient is still responsible for the agreed upon fee.
Do you take American Express, Master Card and/or Visa?
Yes, we accept all major credit cards.
Do you have direct debit?
Yes, we have arrangements for direct debit, charge card posting, as well as payments over the internet.
Do you charge interest?
No, we do not.
Do you give family discounts?
We have special programs and fees for multiple patients from the same family.
Types of Treatment
What is Phase 1 Treatment?
Phase 1 treatment is delivered early and before all permanent teeth have erupted. The purpose of this early care is to start correcting harmful malocclusions that may be more difficult or impossible to correct later. Phase 1 treatment does not eliminate the need for conventional orthodontics done during adolescence. Examples of phase 1 treatment include correcting individual tooth or jaw crossbites and severe underbites and overbites where function, aesthetic or psychological concerns are identified.
What is Phase 2 Treatment?
Phase 2 treatment is conventional orthodontic treatment. It may start while the last baby teeth are falling out and continue until the 12-year molars have been evaluated or straightened. This treatment usually lasts between 2 and 3 years.
How do I know if Phase 1, 2 or both type of treatments are necessary?
Coming in to see Dr. Drobocky by the at of 7 is the best way to know if either treatment will be necessary. About 10 to 20 percent of young patients may benefit from phase 1 treatment. Most other patients are put in our growth and development program and initiated as a member of the Drobocky Dinos!
Does early treatment ensure a better result?
Not always. Experience and research show that early treatment achieves meaningful goals but the quality of the result is determined at the end of care. For this reason, we do not encourage early treatment unless significant benefits can be achieved.
Moving of Teeth (Mechanics)
I need to be pre-medicated for the dentist. Do I need to take my medicine for the orthodontist?
Yes.
How long do braces take?
Complete treatment can usually be accomplished in 2 years of active tooth movement. Sometimes, this active movement is divided into two or more periods of time with a rest of 6 to 18 months in between. (See Phase 1 and 2 Treatment above).
How do braces work?
Quite simply, crooked teeth are gradually moved into desired positions by taking shaped wires and attaching them to brackets on the teeth.
Do you use recycled braces? No.
Retainers
Do retainers need to be worn after braces?
Yes, retainers are worn full-time for about one year followed by nighttime wear indefinitely.
Why do teeth get crooked after wearing braces or aligners? Teeth move throughout life whether you have worn braces or not. It is part of the natural aging process. This is why retainer wear is recommended indefinitely to maintain your orthodontic results over your lifetime.
How about retainers glued to the backs of teeth?
For some patients, bonded retainers are attached to the back of lower teeth to keep them in place. This requires special hygiene procedures and regular recalls to the family dentist.
Wisdom Teeth (Third Molars)
Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Wisdom teeth do not cause crooked teeth but they can cause gum problems, swelling if impacted and trap food below the gum tissue causing infection. It is much easier on the patient to plan for their removal rather than have them removed under emergency conditions.
When is a good time to have wisdom teeth removed?
The best time according to oral surgeons is when approximately 2/3 or so of the root is formed. Sometime after age 16 or 18 seems to be the average.
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMJ)
Can braces or orthodontic treatment treat or cause TMJ problems?
Scientific literature has documented that there is not a direct link between orthodontic treatment or occlusion and TMJ. Problems with TMJ can be present or absent in the presence of all types of good and bad bites.
Health Impact
What are the health benefits of wearing braces?
Orthodontics helps to improve the comfort of the bite, make it easier to brush and floss your teeth for good dental health, and many times helps to balance the facial musculature. The positive self-esteem benefits are immeasurable.
How do enlarged adenoids and allergies affect braces?
Mouth breathing, as a result of enlarged adenoids or tonsils or allergies, may cause your upper and lower jaws to grow apart and elongate facial form during growth, resulting in crowding and often narrow arches.
How does a tongue thrust or low tongue posture affect braces?
The effects are similar to enlarged adenoids. Plus, the pressure on front teeth from the tongue thrusting can aggravate protrusion and spacing.
