Meet Dr. SwelstadFrequently Asked Questions
No, you can call our office anytime you wish to have Dr. Swelstad evaluate your orthodontic needs. Of course, many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves. If you are unsure, please call. Dr. Swelstad is pleased to provide INITIAL EXAMS at NO CHARGE.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at AGE 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your child's orthodontic condition.
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age. Crowded teeth generally get worse with time.
If you or your child may potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office or send us an e-mail. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our friendly staff will request some basic information from you.
Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will acclimate you to our office and prepare you for the initial exam. Dr. Swelstad will perform a thorough examination to assess your orthodontic needs. We will also take the necessary photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis.
There are several essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
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Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
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What must be done to correct the problem?
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When is the best time to begin treatment?
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How long will the treatment take to complete?
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How much will the treatment cost?
Dr. Swelstad uses advanced orthodontic techniques which very rarely require the removal of permanent teeth. However, removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic results. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics.
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment time lasts from 8 months to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 18-24 months.
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have several very flexible financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefits and file your claims.
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 5 to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly. We value your time and strive to minimize the number of appointments.
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 5 to 10 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return. In many instances, parental involvement is extremely beneficial and we recommend that parents check in regularly to see how treatment is progressing.
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days - this varies greatly from one patient to another. In these situations, common pain medications such as Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”
Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic results possible.
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports. Our office is happy to provide our patients with a FREE MOUTHGUARD designed to fit around your braces. Several different styles of mouthguards are available, depending on the sport you play.
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces. Some patients may benefit from more frequent cleaning appointments with their hygienist while wearing braces.
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments for repairs or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
Ideally, patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to brush and floss their teeth with braces.
If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to benefit from early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.
It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the "resting period," during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander. Recent advances in orthodontic treatment allow Dr. Swelstad to correct most problems with fewer expanders.
Healthy teeth can be moved at any age. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces! Recent advances in orthodontic technology make orthodontic treatment for adults faster, more comfortable and more predictable.
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Dr. Swelstad is an expert in orthodontics and has recieved specialized training that enables him to provide patients with appropriate, personalized treatments.
29. How do you clean your instruments?
Your safety is our top priority. We clean and sterilize all of our instruments after every patient. We follow rigorous sterilization guidelines to protect you (and ourselves) from cross-contamination.
30. Are the dental water lines clean? I have heard about potential contamination from biofilms.
We use specially purified water, in self-contained water systems for our orthodontic procedures. We do not rely upon the cleanliness of city water for these special procedures.
