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Definitely! People of all ages deserve a beautiful smile and we are proud to treat anyone interested in having a healthy bite and straight teeth. The introduction of clear braces and Invisalign have allowed many more adults to seek treatment.  Approximately 45% of our patients are adults.

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The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children by seen by an orthodontist by age 7.

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Our office is open Monday through Friday with appointments ranging from as early as 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Every attempt is made to schedule appointments at convenient times.

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Our systems are designed to keep appointments few in number and short in time.  After appliances have been placed in a person's mouth, we routinely see the patient about every six weeks.  On averge, a 24-month case requires 18-20 appointments.

A: Some cases can be completed in less than a year. More difficult cases take longer.  The average case will take from 12 to 18 months. Our appointment system and the Doctors' mechanics are designed to reduce the number of times you will need to be seen and the overall length of treatment.  Treatment time varies with the severity of the case, patient cooperation,and growth and development.  The Doctors will attempt to estimate treatment time at the initial appointment.

A: Yes they can be straightened by using Invisalign.

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Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.

Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums.  The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay.  Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar).  If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.

Toothbrushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

• Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
• Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended.  They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently.  Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.  Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

• Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
• Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
• Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline.  Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush.  If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.

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You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits.

Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.  At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities.  Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health.  These include:

• Medical history review: Knowing the status of any current medical conditions, new medications, and illnesses, gives us insight to your overall health and also your dental health.
• Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss.  X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
• Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
• Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
• Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
• Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
• Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for sometime and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface.  Calculus forms above and below the gum line, and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth.  It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva.  The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums.  This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
• Teeth polishing: Removes stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during toothbrushing and scaling.
• Oral hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed (electric dental toothbrushes, special cleaning aids, fluorides, rinses, etc.).
• Review dietary habits: Your eating habits play a very important role in your dental health.

As you can see, a good dental exam and cleaning involves quite a lot more than just checking for cavities and polishing your teeth.  We are committed to providing you with the best possible care, and to do so will require regular check-ups and cleanings.

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You want the Doctors to take radiographs. By looking in a patient's mouth, the Doctors are able to get a fair idea of what treatment might be necessary. A complete set of diagnostic records is necessary so the Doctors know what is happening inside the bone, where they can't see. This allows them to gauge tooth eruption, as well as establish growth patterns, missing teeth, impacted teeth and pathology.

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Some cases are treated with removable appliances.  These are used for minor tooth movement only. At the initial appointment you will be made aware of the severity of your case and if limited treatment is all that is necessary.

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Our goal is to give you a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.  As soon as a treatment plan has been decided upon, a fee can be given.  Payment plans are available to make orthodontics affordable for everyone. The patient/member is responsible for direct payment of the account to Dr Flax. Thereafter, our accounting staff will prepare all the necessary forms and quotes for you to claim back from your Medical Aid Scheme.

A: Our staff is very experienced and well trained.  Because teeth are moving through the bones in the jaw, sometimes orthodontics can cause some discomfort.  We strive to make every appointment a relaxed experience.  An information sheet is provided so if any discomfort is felt, the patient knows exactly what to do.

A: Orthodontist work very closely with all of the dentists in your area.  They expect their patients to return to their dentist according to their regular recall. Orthodontist are responsible for correcting malocclusions.  Your dentist is responsible for evaluating, treating, and preventing oral and dental disease.

A: A normal, healthy diet is still enjoyable while in braces.  You can still eat many of your favorite foods, but there will be some foods that you will need to stay away from.  We provide each patient with a "NO-NO FOOD LIST".  This tells the patient which foods to stay away from and why.