Q: My son is a patient of yours. A couple of years ago my other son went to another orthodontist. Today, I watched you use a horseshoe shaped piece of wax to record the size of the bone holding my son’s teeth. The wire you used to move his teeth was made to fit this mold. The other orthodontist did not do this. He just took a wire from a package and put it in my other son’s mouth. Why do you do it different?

A: The Damon System of Braces is based on a treatment plan customized for each patient. The research clearly shows that a customized “arch from” (the wax form) is better than a “one size fits all” approach. I customize all of my final or finishing arch wires to each patient. This makes a smile that is specific for each patients face.

Q: How are braces glued onto teeth and what makes them sometimes come off?

A: Braces are glued on using a bonding material (glue) that is very similar to the white, tooth colored material your dentist uses for fillings.The teeth are etched to roughen up the surface and then using a very small brush a liquid resin is painted into the tiny, rough areas caused by the etching. Last a thin paste is put on the brace (bracket). You want just enough paste to cover the bracket but you don't want paste (called flash) around the outside of the bracket. By far the main reason for a bracket coming off is biting into some food or candy right on the bracket and popping it off. Other reasons may be due to your bite being very deep or having a tooth that is really rotated.

Q: I want the new Damon Clear braces. Are they in yet?

A: They arrived last week and they look great. We are one of the first offices in the U.S. to receive these highly sought after new braces. Now you can get the benefits of the Damon® System of braces: less extractions + less pain +shorter time in treatment + longer times between appointments, and now less noticeable! Make an appointment today and discover how you can now get the confident looking smile that you always wanted with the most high tech clear braces available. Call for details on our special promotion on the "Damon Clear" braces.

Q: I am caught in the middle of 2 opinions from 2 different orthodontist. One wants to take out 4 teeth and you recommended treatment without taking out any teeth. I have been going to my dentist for 9 years and I really trust his opinion. Does asking him for advise on which way to go put him in a bind with the 2 orthodontists?

A: No. Your dentist will respect your right to self-determination. He realizes
that you have the responsibility to evaluate the factors and options presented
to you. Your dentist also has an obligation to promote your welfare and
communicate truthfully to you. Your dentist can be used to help sort out the
issues involving extractions versus no extractions. While both treatments
should be considered acceptable, you must choose the option that you feel is best for you.

Q: I called another orthodontist to see if he uses the Damon System of Braces. His receptionist said they use a "Damon like" bracket and all "self ligating" brackets are the same just different names. Are they all the same?

A: No. His receptionist is misinformed. The Damon System of Braces is a
system not a bracket. It is a system that requires extensive training to achieve
maximum performance. Damon users have a set protocol and a research and
development team that provides training on new developments every year. The
"Damon like' are just self ligating braces that use the same methods as
traditional braces. They require the same amount of extractions and their
results are the same as traditional braces. Ask about the number of patients
treated. Ask for before and after photos of patients that have a problem like
you have. Please make an informed decision. If you visit his office and then
my office, you will find out that his receptionist's statement is inaccurate.

Q: My son has been in treatment since age 12 with another orthodontist. He is now 16 and his orthodontist now tells me my son needs surgery to fix an under bite. I came to you for a 2nd opinion. What's going on?

A: It is called "unfavorable growth" and every orthodontist gets burned
by it one time or another. When treating patients with borderline
skeletal problems, like an over bite or under bite, we hope that growth
will either help us or at least not make the problem worse. Your son
hit his puberty growth spurt and the skeletal problem got significantly
worse. Bad enough that surgery will be required to obtain an acceptable
result.