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Q: Do I need a referral from my Dentist in order to make an appointment with Dr. Firouz?
A: No, you do not need a referral from your Dentist to make an appointment with Dr. Firouz. Feel free to call (310) 447-5790 ahead of time to help determine if we will be able to accept your dental insurance plan.
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Q: Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
A: 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.
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Q: What will I learn from the initial examination?
A: 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?
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Q: Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
A: 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.
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Q: How long will it take to complete treatment?
A: Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 24 months.
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Q: How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
A: 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.
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Q: How often will I have appointments?
A: Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every five to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.
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Q: Do braces hurt?
A: 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!”
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Q: Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
A: Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.
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Q: How often should I brush and floss while wearing braces?
A: 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.
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Q: Can I still play sports?
A: Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports, and be sure to ask about Invisalign since they are completely removable.
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Q: Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
A: 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.
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Q: Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
A: 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.
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Q: What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
A: 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 require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.
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Q: Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
A: 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.
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Q: What is Phase One (early) treatment?
A: Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment lasts about 12-24 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.
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Q: Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
A: 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.
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Q: Will my child need an expander?
A: At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.
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Q: Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A: 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!
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Q: Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
A: 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.
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Q: Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
A: 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.
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Q: Is Invisalign available in the Los Angeles Area?
A: YES! Firouz Orthodontics is proud to provide Invisalign and Invisalign Teen to the residents of:
Los Angeles West Los Angeles Santa Monica Beverly Hills Culver City Marina Del Rey Bel Air Brentwood Pacific Palisades Encino Sherman Oaks
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Q: Will Invisalign fit my lifestyle?
A: YES! Here are some of the benefits of choosing Invisalign for your treatment:
Time for a snack? No problem. Take out your aligners to eat or drink whenever you want.
Since Invisalign is virtually invisible, chances are no one will even notice anything is different, until your new smile is revealed, of course.
You can remove your Invisalign aligners, so you can brush and floss regularly and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
You can occasionally remove your Invisalign aligners and enjoy a special night out.
There’s no need to change a thing. Continue your day-to-day activities while still straightening your teeth.
Be yourself with Invisalign. Since it’s clear, you don’t have to hide your smile while going through treatment.
With Invisalign, it’s easy to make your smile picture perfect for that special occasion.
Invisalign appointments work with your schedule. Most visits are in and out, with a quick progress check once every six weeks.
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Q: What is Invisalign?
A: The Invisalign system is the virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth and achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Dr. Firouz is one of the few Orthodontists in West Los Angeles to use advanced 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign depicts your complete treatment plan, from the initial position of your teeth to the final desired position. Then a series of clear aligners are custom made for your teeth – and your teeth only – to move them little by little. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the series until the final position of your teeth is achieved. Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by your doctor based on your specific needs.
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Q: What are the primary benefits of Invisalign?
A: Invisalign aligners are clear; no one may even notice that you’re wearing braces, making Invisalign a seamless fit with your lifestyle and day-to-day interactions with others. Invisalign is removable. Unlike braces, you have the flexibility to eat and drink what you want during treatment simply by removing the aligners when you eat. You can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and good oral hygiene. Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign does not use metal brackets or wires that could cause irritation to your mouth. In addition, you’ll spend less time in the doctor’s chair and having to schedule appointments, and more time out doing the things you love. Lastly, Invisalign allows you to view your virtual results and treatment plan before you start your treatment, so that you can preview how your straight teeth will look once your treatment is complete.
