Orthodontic Questions, Answered
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Duane S. Shank, DDS, Board-Certified Orthodontist
An educated patient is a healthy patient. These are the questions Smithtown families ask most often, answered plainly. If yours is not here, call the office at (631) 265-3666, and someone will answer it.
About orthodontics
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a dental specialty concerned with diagnosing and correcting misaligned teeth and irregularities of the jaw. The word comes from the Greek orthos, meaning straight or proper, and odons, meaning teeth. Treatment was once aimed mostly at children and teenagers, but around 30 percent of orthodontic patients today are adults.
Well-aligned teeth are easier to clean, easier to chew with, and easier to speak clearly with. The American Association of Orthodontists suggests a child have an orthodontic assessment around age seven, because problems caught early are usually resolved faster.
What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed two to three additional years of full-time residency in tooth and jaw movement, then limited their practice to it. The American Association of Orthodontists is the professional body for the specialty in the United States. Choosing an AAO member means the doctor holds specialty education in oral biology and biomechanics rather than a manufacturer’s course certificate.
What is a malocclusion?
A malocclusion is an incorrect relationship between the upper arch and the lower arch, or a general misalignment of the teeth. They are extremely common, and most people have one to some degree. Causes are usually genetic, sometimes made worse by early oral habits.
There are three broad classes. Class I is a typical bite relationship with crowding or spacing problems elsewhere. Class II is an overbite, where the upper teeth sit further forward than the lower. Class III, sometimes called an underbite, is the reverse, where the lower teeth sit further forward than the upper.
Treatment
Do braces hurt?
Putting braces on does not hurt. There is nothing to be anxious about at that appointment. What most patients feel is mild soreness for a few days after the wire is engaged, and again briefly after adjustments. It responds to whatever you would normally take for a headache. If you have significant discomfort, call the office. Pain during orthodontic treatment is not something to tough out.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Most comprehensive cases run somewhere between 18 and 24 months, with the full range across all case types running roughly 6 to 30 months. Simple alignment can finish much faster. Cases involving jaw growth, extractions, or impacted teeth take longer. Dr. Shank gives you an estimated length at the consultation, and how closely you follow instructions on elastics and appliance wear genuinely moves that number.
Can I keep seeing my regular dentist during treatment?
Yes, and you should. Orthodontic treatment does not replace routine dental care, and teeth in braces need it more, not less. Keep your normal checkup schedule with your own dentist throughout. This office handles the orthodontics; your dentist handles everything else.
Do I need to be pre-medicated before orthodontic appointments?
Not for every procedure. If you have been told to pre-medicate before dental work, tell us, and we will advise appointment by appointment depending on what is being done that day.
Do retainers need to be worn after braces?
Yes. Retainers are worn full time for roughly two months after the braces come off, then at night indefinitely. Retention is the part of treatment people underestimate, and it is the part that decides whether the result lasts.
Why do teeth get crooked again after braces or aligners?
Because teeth move throughout life whether or not you have ever had orthodontic treatment. It is part of normal aging. That is why nighttime retainer wear is recommended indefinitely rather than for a fixed period. Wearing a retainer a few nights a week is a very small price for keeping a result you spent two years earning.
Appointments and your first visit
How much does an orthodontist consultation cost?
Nothing at this office. The initial consultation with Dr. Shank is free, including his examination and his explanation of what treatment would involve. There is no obligation and no deposit to book it. Call (631) 265-3666 or request an appointment online.
What should I ask at a braces consultation?
Five questions cover most of it. Is treatment actually needed, or is this optional? What are my options, and which do you recommend for my case? How long will it take? What is the total fee, and what does it include? And who will I actually see at my appointments? Any office worth choosing will answer all five without deflecting.
Payments and insurance
Can I make payments rather than paying in full?
Yes. Whether or not you have insurance, we will set up a payment plan that spreads the fee across the length of your treatment. Monthly payments start around $150. Full details are on our financing page.
Do you charge interest?
No. The payment plans are run in-house with no interest, so the total you pay is the number you were quoted at the consultation.
How do you handle insurance?
We accept most dental insurance plans. To be clear about it up front: this practice is not in-network with any carrier. We verify your coverage before treatment begins, bill your carrier for you, and apply the benefit to your balance. If coverage changes or ends partway through treatment, the patient remains responsible for the agreed fee.
Do you take credit cards, and can I pay automatically?
Yes to both. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, and we can set up automatic monthly draft from a checking account or a credit card. Payments can also be made online. HSA and FSA funds can be applied to your balance.
Do you offer family discounts?
Yes. There are special programs and fees when more than one member of a family is in treatment, and a discount for paying a balance in full at the start.
Our office and the area we serve
Which towns does Smithtown Orthodontics serve?
The office is at 200 E Main St. in Smithtown, on Route 25 near the Village Commons. Most patients come from Smithtown itself and from St. James, Nesconset, Kings Park, Commack, Hauppauge, and Lake Grove, all of which are inside a twenty-minute drive. Families across the Smithtown Central School District are generally about fifteen minutes away.
When is the office open?
Monday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Thursday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday. The early morning and evening blocks exist so families do not have to pull children out of school for every appointment.
Still have a question?
Call (631) 265-3666, or request an appointment and ask Dr. Shank directly at a free consultation.
Smithtown Orthodontics 200 E Main St. Smithtown, NY 11787 (631) 265-3666
