How can I be sure that I’m seeing a licensed orthodontist for my/my child’s braces?

It is very astute of you to understand that there is a difference between an orthodontist (a dental specialist uniquely trained to move teeth and align bites) and a general dentist.  There are two very simple ways to make sure the Doctor is a licensed orthodontist:

1.      Look (or ask) for AAO membership.  Only orthodontists can be a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.  This logo, or an AAO membership card, ensures you’re seeing an orthodontist.

                                   

2.      Look (or ask) for the Doctor’s specialty license.  The state of Illinois requires licensing via written examination as well as oral presentation and examination.  This license will specifically state ‘Licensed Specialist in Dentistry – Orthodontics’.

Dr. Kimberly Haug is a licensed orthodontist with offices in Alton and Highland.  For more information about our office, visit www.UnforgettableSmiles.net.

Why Straighten Teeth?

Straight teeth help us effectively bite, chew and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums because they are easier to brush and floss and there is no abnormal wear.   Also, teeth that work better tend to look better. An attractive smile is a pleasant “side effect” of orthodontic treatment!

An attractive smile is a wonderful asset.   As you speak to people, it’s the first thing you notice about them.  Attractive smiles contribute to self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image—important qualities at every age. With many children and adults, we witness their confidence and self-esteem improve as orthodontic treatment brings their teeth, lips and face into proportion. Confidence generates success!

 People with beautiful smiles have a lot to be happy about!  Don’t procrastinate!  Your unforgettable smile is just a phone call away!

Aren't braces expensive?

Maybe more so now than ever, braces are a great investment!  Straight teeth and a perfectly aligned bite make oral care much easier and set the stage for a lifetime of dental health.  Additionally, beautiful smiles enhance personal confidence and self esteem!  Few other investments can boast of these lifetime returns!

At Haug Orthodontics, multiple payment options are offered to make treatment affordable for almost any budget.  In certain cases, payments can be extended up to 60 months.  For your personal evaluation and consultation, contact our office at 618-463-7002 or 618-654-8017 or visit our website at www.UnforgettableSmiles.net.

What will I learn from an initial examination?

The initial exam at our office is a very informative event!  There are five essential questions that we will cover during this visit:

·   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 treatment take to complete?

·   How much will the treatment cost?

We utilize time lapse videos, digital photography, models and other media to ensure you understand the treatment prescribed.

A smile is a unique and wonderful gift!  Once given it is most always returned!

Isn’t orthodontic treatment done just for cosmetic reasons?

Absolutely not!  While the cosmetic impact is the most outwardly noticeable (and the first thing we notice when talking to anyone is their teeth!), orthodontic treatment sets the stage for a lifetime of oral health.  Straight teeth are much easier to clean and maintain and properly aligned occlusions (bites) help prevent abnormal tooth wear and jaw growth, and jaw joint problems.  For children and adults, orthodontic treatment is a great investment in your long term health and self esteem.

Your professional consultation is just a phone call away!  Dr. Kimberly Haug is an Alton native and has been providing unforgettable smiles to the Riverbend area since 1995.  As a specialist in orthodontics, she is uniquely trained to address your orthodontic needs.  To reach the office, call 463-7002 or visit www.UnforgettableSmiles.net.

My dentist says I need braces. What’s the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist when it comes to straightening teeth?

Just as there are specialists in medicine (such as cardiologists, neurologists, etc.), there are specialists in dentistry. Orthodontists are dental specialists who dedicate their professional lives to correcting misaligned teeth and jaws.

Orthodontists are qualified general dentists, who after graduating from dental school, go on to additional full-time university-based education in an accredited orthodontic residency program supervised by orthodontists. That training lasts at least two academic years—sometimes more. By learning about tooth movement (orthodontics) and guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics), orthodontists are the uniquely trained experts in dentistry to straighten teeth and align jaws.

Orthodontists limit their practices to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. That means that orthodontic treatment is what they do, and that is all they do!  Orthodontists treat a wide variety of malocclusions (improperly aligned teeth and/or jaws) in young children, teens and adults.

While there are dentists who have attended after-hours courses or seminars and put on braces, selecting an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is your assurance that you have chosen an orthodontist.  Only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and the state of Illinois requires written and oral board examination and certification to practice as an orthodontist.

Dr. Kimberly (Gibbons) Haug is an Alton native and Alton High School graduate.  She obtained her general dental degree from SIUE School of Dental Medicine and her orthodontic specialist degree from St. Louis University.  She is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists.  She has offices in Alton and Highland and has been practicing orthodontics since 1995. 
For more information about orthodontics, please visit www.UnforgettableSmiles.net or call Dr. Haug’s office at 463-7002.  Haug Orthodontics accepts most insurance plans and offers flexible payment options to fit most any budget.

Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?

Braces and musical instruments generate many questions. Many patients at Haug Orthodontics are musicians. There have been a number of research studies related to orthodontics and musical instruments. Haug Orthodontics informs their instrument-playing patients that woodwind players may have slightly more difficulty than brass instrument players. Every musician seems to adapt very well to playing with braces after a week or two of practice. Some of them find that placing wax on the brackets is helpful during the initial adjustment period.

Will braces interfere with playing sports?

No, they will not. You may think that a child with braces on their teeth must avoid doing any of the more active sports, due to the notion that any kind of serious impact may be detrimental to the mouth and teeth. This is simply not true. At Haug Orthodontics, we treat wrestlers, hockey players, soccer players, cheerleaders, volleyball players, football, and players in all other types of sports. We do, however, always advise our patients to wear a mouthpiece or a mouth guard if they can.

Do braces hurt?

Surprisingly to most patients, it does not hurt to place the bands and brackets on your teeth. Once your braces are in place and connected with the archwires, it generally takes 12-24 hours to start feeling some discomfort (if any). The lighter, round wires are much more comfortable in the overall orthodontic experience. You may feel some soreness of your teeth for a couple of days after a new wire is installed. If you experience any discomfort, you may wish to eat softer foods like mashed potatoes, soup, macaroni and cheese, pudding for a couple of days. But none of this compares to the discomfort of having a smile that you cannot be proud to show.

Why do my braces need tightened?

During orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist stretches your jaw and moves your teeth so that everything fits.  If the orthodontist would try to move your teeth all at once, it would hurt too much and might damage the roots of your teeth.  The orthodontist moves your teeth slowly to avoid hurting you too badly.  Every time your braces are "tightened", your teeth move a little bit.  Then the orthodontist waits for your teeth, jaw & gums to shift, before moving your teeth again.

Why do I have to wear retainers 24/7 after my braces come off?

Your teeth have been moved around for quite some time.  Now that your braces are off we need to keep your teeth in their new wonderful position!  Wearing your retainers all the time builds your bone strong and healthy so that your teeth stay in this new position.  Kind of like having a broken bone and wearing a cast so that your bone heals correctly.

Since I got my braces on last week, I've had some sores in my mouth. Why?

During the first week of treatment, you may notice sores or ulcerations inside your mouth.  This can happen because your lips and cheeks are not yet used to rubbing against your orthodontic braces.  Over time, your skin on the inside of your mouth will get tougher and you will not have sores anymore.  To provide some relief for your lips and cheeks rubbing against your rough braces, you can place a small pea-sized amount of wax or cotton on the area of the braces that is causing the sore or ulceration.  The sore should improve within a couple of days and completely heal within a week.  Rinsing with salt water can help speed the healing proess.  If the sore or ulceration does not improve or gets worse, call your orthodontist to have it examined.