Orthodontic FAQs

Selecting an orthodontist in Rehoboth Beach or Lewes, DE who can help you achieve the smile of your dreams is important. Orthodontists like Dr. Johnson are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities.

They receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those with this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

Dr. Johnson from Johnson Orthodontics has achieved this specialization and is an active member in AAO. When you do not have an orthodontist overseeing your treatment, you may be throwing away money because it's likely you'll just have to get treatment again.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age seven. By this age, most children have several permanent teeth that have erupted, letting us evaluate their orthodontic needs.

By this age, Dr. Johnson can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. That’s important because some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if they’re found early.

Most orthodontic patients begin active braces treatment between ages 9 and 14.

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at almost any age. In fact, about one in every four orthodontic patients in Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, DE is over age 18.

Thanks to today’s smaller, less visible and more comfortable orthodontic appliances, (including metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign) many adults find treatment appealing.

Patients who need orthodontic treatment generally have one to three years of active treatment. We can give a good estimate during your free consultation at our Rehoboth Beach, DE office.

Many factors contribute to the cost of orthodontic treatment, including the severity of the problem, how complex it is, and how long treatment lasts.

Dr. Johnson will be glad to discuss the cost of treatment and your financing options with you before treatment begins.

The good news is that braces are more affordable in Rehoboth Beach today than ever. Our team also works with insurance companies and offers payment plans that meet your family’s budget.

Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Crowding, spacing protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems are examples of genetic problems that can be passed down.

Other oral problems are caused by thumb- or finger-sucking, dental disease, accidents, the early or late loss of baby teeth, or other causes.

Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to keep clean and healthy. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear on tooth surfaces, difficulty chewing and/or speaking, and excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue.

Without treatment, many problems become worse and can require additional dental care later in life.

Successful orthodontic treatment requires a partnership between the doctor and patient. Dr. Johnson provides custom-made fixed or removable appliances that use gentle pressure to move teeth into their proper positions.

To get the best results you can, your job is to follow Dr. Johnson's instructions, keep scheduled orthodontic appointments and maintain excellent oral hygiene.

You will also need to see your general dentist as recommended to continue your general dental care.

If you notice an unwanted change in your smile or bite, contact Johnson Orthodontics at 302-209-7066 for information. An orthodontic “tune-up” may be needed to restore proper alignment.

Not necessarily. Research suggests that wisdom teeth don’t always cause teeth to shift.

Wisdom teeth are usually removed for your general dental health rather than orthodontic reasons. Your family dentist or Dr. Johnson can help determine whether your wisdom teeth need to be removed.

Dr. Johnson will recommend what kind of retainers your wear and how long you’ll wear them. Removable retainers are the kind you put in and take out, and fixed retainers are bonded behind your teeth.

Wearing your retainers as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after your orthodontic treatment.

There are many reasons teeth may move following orthodontic treatment. Teeth aren’t set in concrete; they’re in bone. Because bone around your teeth is continually changing (breaking down and rebuilding), your teeth may shift after your braces are removed.

By wearing your retainers, your teeth are more likely to remain where Dr. Johnson has placed them through braces treatment.

The small changes that happen after your braces come off happen as you use your teeth for biting and chewing, and they settle into the bone. The more serious and unwanted changes may be traced to genetics or later-than-normal growth, which is unpredictable.

Movement is most common in lower front teeth. This is particularly true if the teeth were extremely crowded before treatment. Changes in tooth position are a lifelong and naturally occurring phenomenon.

The best way to keep your teeth from shifting is to wear your retainers as prescribed. If you notice movement after your braces are removed, please contact Johnson Orthodontics.

Even if you’ve had orthodontic treatment, you can expect your teeth to continue moving throughout your lifetime. Many factors at work may cause teeth to shift. Such changes are different for everyone, and most of the time, they’re hardly noticeable.

However, on occasion, changes can occur that are disappointing to both the patient and Dr. Johnson. Changes in tooth position are not a failure of your orthodontic treatment. They are a natural process. We expect changes in our bodies as we grow older, and our teeth are no exception.

To help control and limit these changes, retainers are prescribed after your braces are removed.

No. Retainers stabilize and preserve the alignment of teeth and jaws that orthodontic treatment achieved.

Many people wear removable retainers nightly for the rest of their lives. Ask Dr. Johnson for guidance about your long-term retainer use.