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FAQ

Bluegrass Orthodontics provides comprehensive orthodontic care to patients in Lexington, Paris and Nicholasville, KY. Our Orthodontists Dr. Stan Ferguson and Dr. Ed Tipton, offer the latest in orthodontic treatment providing many options when it comes to wearing braces including Damon self-ligating braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and more! Read our FAQ’s below:

Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
What will I learn from the initial examination?
Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
How long will it take to complete treatment?
How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
How often will I have appointments?
Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Do braces hurt?
Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Can I still play sports?
Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
Will my child need an expander?
Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?

Still have questions? Please feel free to contact us at any of our four orthodontic offices. Our friendly and professional staff are ready to answer any additional questions you might have. We look forward to getting to know you and helping you achieve the smile of your dreams!

1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist. However, you do not need a referral to schedule an appointment.

2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?

We recommend an orthodontic screening by age 7, which is also the recommendation of the American Association of Orthodontists. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition. Keep in mind we may not necessarily begin orthodontic treatment at this age.

3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?

Generally teeth do not straighten out as we get older. In most people, the space for the front teeth can decrease as the permanent molars erupt.

4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?

Please call our office Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or send us an e-mail to kyortho@qx.net. We will be happy to find a convenient time for either you or your child for an initial consultation appointment. When you call to schedule the appointment, our front office team will request some basic information from you along with any insurance information.

5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?

Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be welcomed by the front office team. Our treatment coordinators will give you a tour of the office and prepare you for the initial exam. The treatment coordinators will take the necessary photographs and X-rays to assist the doctors in a proper diagnosis. The doctor will then complete a brief, but thorough, exam. To read more about your first visit, please visit our First Visit page.

6. What will I learn from the initial examination?

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?

7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?

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 new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.

8. How long will it take to complete treatment?

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s individual orthodontic needs. In general, treatment times range from 12-30 months. The “average” time frame a person wears braces is approximately 18-22 months.

9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?

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.

10. How often will I have appointments?

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 8-10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 8-10 weeks apart, we highly recommend scheduling your next appointment before you leave. We will try to make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?

You may drop your child off for an appointment, however on some occasions we may request to speak with a parent, therefore, we ask that parents check in with the front desk before leaving.

13. Do braces hurt?

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!”

14. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?

Yes, you can return to school on the same day as your braces are placed. We will also provide your child with a school excuse after each visit.

15. Can I still play sports?

Yes, you can continue to play sports. We recommend a mouth guard, which can be purchased from any sporting goods store such as Dick’s Sporting Goods.

16. . Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?

Yes, please continue to visit your regular dentist every 6 months for cleanings and check-ups.

17. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have 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.

18. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?

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 are experiencing an after-hours emergency, you may also visit the Emergency Information page on our website for further instruction. However, if you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside a time for you.

19. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will place the him or her in our observation program and monitor their growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.

20. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?

Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment lasts about 12-14 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe.

21. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?

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.

22. Will my child need an expander?

At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.

23. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?

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!

24. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?

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.

25. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.