You may experience some discomfort when braces are first placed and after adjustments, but it's usually mild and temporary. Most patients describe it as pressure or soreness rather than pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers and eating soft foods for a day or two typically help. Any discomfort usually subsides within 3-5 days. If you experience persistent pain, please contact our office.

Absolutely! We encourage all our patients to continue their athletic activities. We recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect your braces and teeth during contact sports. We can provide a special orthodontic mouthguard that fits over braces. Many professional athletes have successfully competed while wearing braces!

Most patients visit us every 6-10 weeks for adjustment appointments. These appointments typically last 20-30 minutes. We try to schedule appointments at times convenient for your school or work schedule. If you wear Invisalign, you may have fewer in-office visits since you change aligners at home.

Please call us as soon as possible to reschedule. Missed appointments can delay your treatment progress. We understand emergencies happen, but regular attendance is crucial for staying on track with your treatment timeline. If you need to cancel, we request at least 24 hours notice so we can offer the time slot to another patient.

Regular adjustment appointments typically take 20-30 minutes. Your initial consultation and records appointment may take 60-90 minutes. Appliance placement appointments (like getting braces put on) can take 1-2 hours. Emergency visits are usually quick—we'll get you in and out as fast as possible while addressing your concern.

For younger patients, we encourage parents to come back during the first few appointments to help them feel comfortable. Once patients are comfortable with the process, many prefer to come back on their own—but parents are always welcome! For adult patients, you're welcome to bring a friend or family member if you'd like.

Brush after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Angle the brush above and below the brackets, and use small circular motions. Brush for at least 2 minutes. We recommend using an electric toothbrush if possible—it makes cleaning around braces much easier! Don't forget to floss daily using a floss threader or orthodontic floss.

Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can damage brackets and wires. This includes: hard candy, popcorn, ice, nuts, sticky candy (like caramels or taffy), gum, and hard/crunchy foods like apples (unless cut into small pieces) and corn on the cob. You can still enjoy most foods—just cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces!

Try using the orthodontic wax we provided to cover the poking wire. You can also try gently pushing the wire away from your cheek with a clean pencil eraser. If the wire continues to cause discomfort, please call our office. We can usually see you quickly for a quick adjustment. Never cut the wire yourself!

Wear your elastics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only removing them to eat and brush your teeth. Consistent elastic wear is crucial for proper tooth movement and staying on track with your treatment. Not wearing elastics as prescribed is the #1 reason treatment takes longer than expected. If you run out of elastics, call us immediately!

Clean your aligners every morning and evening by gently brushing them with a soft toothbrush and clear, antibacterial soap or Invisalign cleaning crystals. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water (never hot water, as it can warp the plastic). Avoid toothpaste as it can scratch the aligners. Store them in their case when not wearing them.

Yes! We accept most major dental insurance plans and are happy to file claims on your behalf. We'll verify your benefits before treatment begins and provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. Most orthodontic insurance provides $1,000-$3,000 in coverage. We'll maximize your benefits to help make treatment affordable.

We offer flexible payment options including interest-free in-house financing (no credit check required), third-party financing through CareCredit and LendingClub, and payment plans with no down payment. We'll work with you to create a monthly payment plan that fits your budget. Most families find treatment more affordable than they expected!

We understand that financial circumstances can change. If you're having trouble making a payment, please contact us immediately. We're happy to work with you to adjust your payment plan. Communication is key—don't wait until payments are past due. We want to help you complete your treatment successfully!

True emergencies include: severe pain that doesn't respond to pain relievers, trauma to the face or mouth causing damage to teeth or appliances, infection or swelling, and a loose permanent tooth. Most other issues (loose brackets, poking wires) can wait until normal office hours. When in doubt, call us—we'll help you determine if you need to come in right away.

For after-hours emergencies, call our main office line and follow the prompts to reach our emergency service. Dr. Feller or a team member will call you back to assess the situation. Most "emergencies" can be temporarily managed at home with orthodontic wax until we can see you during regular hours. We provide detailed emergency care instructions to all patients.

A loose or broken bracket is usually not an emergency unless it's causing significant discomfort. Use orthodontic wax to secure it if needed, and call our office during business hours to schedule a repair appointment. Try to bring the broken bracket with you if it came completely off. We typically see patients within 24-48 hours for bracket repairs.

Yes! We understand school schedules and work schedules can be challenging. We offer early morning appointments before school, after-school appointments, and some Saturday appointments. We also provide excuse notes for school. Our scheduling team will work with you to find appointment times that minimize disruption to your day.

Many patients start seeing visible changes in their smile within the first 2-3 months of treatment! The exact timeline varies based on your specific case. We'll take progress photos at regular intervals so you can see how much your smile is improving. It's exciting to watch the transformation unfold!

Retention is the phase after braces come off when you wear retainers to maintain your new smile. Initially, you'll wear retainers full-time (except when eating/brushing) for several months. Then you'll transition to nighttime-only wear. We recommend wearing retainers at night indefinitely to keep your teeth in their new positions. Your teeth can shift at any age without retention!

Yes! There may be a short adjustment period (usually 1-2 weeks) while you get used to playing with braces, but most patients adapt quickly. Brass and woodwind players might find it helpful to use orthodontic wax on brackets initially. Many professional musicians have successfully performed throughout their orthodontic treatment.

Rubber bands (elastics) help correct your bite by applying precise pressure to move your teeth into proper alignment. They work with your braces to achieve optimal results. Braces alone align your teeth, but elastics correct how your upper and lower teeth fit together. Consistent wear is essential—wearing elastics only sometimes actually slows down treatment!

We recommend waiting until after braces are removed to whiten your teeth. If you whiten while wearing braces, the areas under the brackets won't be whitened, resulting in uneven coloring when braces come off. Once braces are removed, we can discuss whitening options to give you an even brighter smile!