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FAQ
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- Adolescent Treatment
- Adult Orthodontics
- Airway Orthodontics
- Early Treatment
- General Orthodontics
- Invisalign Info
- Invisalign Teen
- Retainers
- SureSmile
- Types of Braces
You can easily schedule your initial exam by calling our office directly or by completing our online appointment request form.
There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
- Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
- What must be done to correct the problem?
- Will any teeth need to be removed?
- How long will the treatment take to complete?
- How much will the treatment cost?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs.
No. Shots are not necessary for orthodontic treatment.
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 orthodontic condition.
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require 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. Phase One treatment lasts about 9-15 months. 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.
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.
Most routine orthodontic appointments are scheduled after school. We strive to accommodate our students and minimize the amount of school they miss by reserving the hours between 3 and 5 o’clock for their wire change appointments. Some of the longer procedures, such as getting braces on, or getting braces off can only be done early in the day.
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, so we ask that parents check in with their patient manager before dropping off their child.
Yes. There is no reason not to return to school following orthodontic appointment.
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. 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!
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.
No, many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 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 many 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 benefit and file your claims.
Generally, braces do not “hurt.” After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or 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!”
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.
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.
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, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions. Learn more here.
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 floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because of the technology and advancement in orthodontics, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.
SureSmile is an advanced orthodontic system that uses 3D imaging and robotic wire-bending technology to create a highly customized treatment plan, allowing for incredibly precise tooth movement.
Yes. Because the technology calculates the most direct path for tooth movement and uses robotically bent wires, SureSmile can often reduce overall treatment time significantly compared to traditional methods.
Because the wire bends are custom-calculated by a computer to move your teeth efficiently, fewer manual wire adjustments are typically needed, which can result in a more comfortable experience over the course of your treatment.
SureSmile is highly versatile and works well for patients of all ages, from teens to adults. During your complimentary consultation, we will take a digital scan to determine if SureSmile is the best option for your specific smile goals.
We believe in providing the best technology for our patients. During your initial exam, we will break down all costs and go over our flexible financing options to ensure your customized, high-tech treatment plan fits comfortably into your budget.
Airway orthodontics focuses on more than just straightening teeth; it ensures the jaw and facial structures are properly aligned to allow for an open, unobstructed airway. This improves overall breathing, concentration, and sleep quality.
Signs of an obstructed airway or sleep-disordered breathing in children can include chronic mouth breathing, snoring, teeth grinding, bedwetting, waking up tired, or behavioral issues often misdiagnosed as ADHD.
Absolutely. By widening narrow dental arches and properly positioning the jaw, we can often increase airway volume in adults, which helps naturally reduce snoring and alleviate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.
Appliances like expanders gently widen the upper jaw, which in turn widens the floor of the nasal cavity. This increases nasal airflow and trains the body to stop mouth breathing, leading to healthier oxygen intake and sleep cycles.
While a formal sleep study isn’t always required to begin treatment, we work closely with local ENTs, pediatricians, and sleep specialists. We may recommend a sleep study if we notice severe clinical signs of sleep-disordered breathing during your exam.
Teeth have a “memory” and naturally want to shift back to their original positions after your braces are removed or your Invisalign treatment ends. Retainers hold your teeth tightly in their new, straight positions while the surrounding bone solidifies.
Immediately after your treatment, you will likely need to wear your retainers full-time (day and night). After a specific period, Dr. Race or Dr. Cianciolo will transition you to night-time only wear to maintain your smile long-term.
You should brush your retainer daily with a soft toothbrush and cool water (hot water can warp the plastic). We also recommend using specialized retainer cleaning tablets a few times a week to prevent plaque buildup and keep them fresh.
Call our Brookfield or Mukwonago office right away! It is crucial to replace a lost or broken retainer quickly before your teeth have a chance to shift out of alignment.
With proper care, retainers can last for a long time. However, normal wear and tear happens. Bring your retainers to your dental check-ups, and contact us if they feel loose, become cracked, or show signs of heavy wear.
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners to gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. They are virtually invisible and are replaced every one to two weeks as your teeth progressively move.
For the best and fastest results, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink (anything other than cool water), brush, and floss.
No! Because you remove your aligners before meals, you can continue to eat all of your favorite foods, including apples, popcorn, and chewy foods that are typically restricted with traditional braces.
Clean your aligners by brushing them gently with a soft toothbrush and cool water. You can also use Invisalign cleaning crystals or mild antibacterial soap to keep them clear and odor-free. Always avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic.
As an Elite Diamond Plus Invisalign provider, we successfully treat a vast majority of cases, from simple spacing to complex bite issues, with Invisalign. We recommend scheduling a complimentary consultation to confirm it’s the right fit for your smile!
Invisalign Teen aligners include small “compliance indicators” (blue dots that fade as the aligner is worn) to help parents and doctors ensure the teen is wearing them enough. They also feature specific designs to accommodate erupting adult teeth.
We know life happens! Invisalign Teen is designed with busy adolescents in mind and often comes with replacement aligners built into the program. If an aligner is lost, simply contact our office, and we will guide you on moving to the next tray or ordering a replacement.
Yes! Invisalign is incredibly popular among athletes and musicians because the smooth plastic won’t cut the inside of the mouth during contact sports, and they won’t interfere with playing wind instruments. They can even be safely removed for big games or performances.
In addition to the compliance indicators on the trays, we monitor their progress closely during their appointments. If their teeth aren’t tracking correctly, we will be able to tell and will discuss compliance with both the teen and the parent.
In the hands of highly experienced Elite Diamond Plus providers like Dr. Race and Dr. Cianciolo, Invisalign Teen is just as effective as traditional braces for treating most orthodontic issues, often with the added benefit of fewer emergency visits for broken wires or brackets.
What Our Patients Say
“I received a thorough exam for orthodontia from Dr Race and he found that I did not require treatment. I was impressed with the ethical manner in which he conducts his practice. My son did his corrective treatment with Dr Race and he was very pleased with the outcome.”
“I REALLY WISH I WOULD’VE FOUND THIS PLACE EARLIER!!❤️ All the staffs were very helpful, asked, and answered any questions or concerns I had! MADE ME FEEL VERY VERY COMFORTABLE, so sweet! I can’t wait for my next appointment !”
“Race Orthodontics is fantasic with both of our daughters! Both girls have unique teeth/mouths and we appreciate the expertise that Race has to offer! The doctors are amazing – the staff is always friendly and we love coming to our appointments!”
“Dr Kevin and Dr Danielle are amazing, and so is their staff. Very professional atmosphere, without lacking in genuine concern. Always looked forward to my next appointment and the result is unbelievable! I’m just disappointed that I didn’t decide to go sooner!”
“You guys are awesome!!”
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12720 W North Ave, Brookfield, WI 53005
(262) 784-6700