General
Do you charge for an initial visit?
No. The exam will be at no charge to you unless the purpose of the exam is to evaluate the patient for TMJ/TMD or unless the patient is currently in orthodontic treatment with another Denver area orthodontist.
At what age do you start seeing patients?
As a rule of thumb, we like to evaluate young patients after the 6-year molars erupt and the front permanent teeth just start to appear. This is usually between the ages of 6 and 8. Children with underbites and thumb/finger-sucking habits should be evaluated no later than age 7.
Why do you evaluate patients so young?
The purpose of 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. Habits are evaluated, medical issues are discussed, and an observation schedule is arranged.
How long will the first visit take?
Plan on one hour for the initial exam.
Do you take patients transferring from out of town?
Yes, we typically do. We handle a patient transferring into our office from another city as we would a new patient.
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
An orthodontist is a specialist in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Dr. Theroux, Dr. Barefoot, and Dr. Donahue all became general dentists first. Then, they each completed a two-year residency to specialize in orthodontics. That is all they do…orthodontics!
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 between the hours of 9 and 3. We will do our best to work with your schedules and accommodate your family’s needs. Our entire schedule is built around children missing as little school as possible.
However, not all appointments can be accommodated in the before and after school hours, so your child will need to miss some school for orthodontic appointments. Even Dr. Barefoot’s own children miss school occasionally for their appointments, and Dr. Theroux’s did as well.
Do you see patients for emergencies?
We see current patients of record for emergency services. Just call the main office line.
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 or if your insurance company changes what they have told us they will cover, 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 from a checking or savings account.
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 (bad bites) 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 where function, esthetic, or psychological concerns are identified.
What is phase 2 Treatment?
Phase 2 treatment is conventional orthodontic treatment, which follows a Phase One treatment. It may start while the last baby teeth are falling out and continue until the 12-year molars have been evaluated or straightened.
Does early Phase One 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.
How long do braces take?
The average treatment time for full braces at Total Orthodontics is 20 months.
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 or by wearing removable Invisalign® trays to gently align the teeth.
Do you use recycled braces?
No.
Retainers
Do retainers need to be worn after braces?
Yes. We also offer lower fixed retainers. We believe strongly in “one and done,” so we love these lower-bonded retainers as lower front teeth shift is the number one reason additional orthodontic treatment is sometimes needed.
Why do teeth become 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 orthodontic results over your lifetime and why we use lower-bonded retainers extensively.
How about retainers glued to the backs of teeth?
For most patients, permanent retainers are attached to the back of lower teeth to keep them in place.
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMJ or TMD)
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 TMD. Problems with TMD 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, making it easier to brush and floss your teeth for good dental health, and many times helps to balance the facial musculature. Properly executed orthodontics can also positively impact patient airway health. The positive self-esteem benefits are immeasurable.
How do enlarged adenoids and allergies affect braces?
Mouth breathing, as a result of enlarged adenoids, 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. In addition, the pressure on the front teeth from the tongue thrusting can aggravate protrusion and spacing.
