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What is an orthodontist?

Q. What is the differenct between a dentist and an orthodontist?
A.  A Dentist takes care of all your regular dental needs. An Orthodontist straightens teeth using braces and other appliances.

Q.  How do you get to be an orthodontist?
A.  An orthodontist first becomes a dentist, then continues in dental school for another two or three years to become an orthodontist.

Q.  How long does it take to get to be an orthodontist?
A.  Most have four years of college, four years of dental school, then two years of orthodontic school.

Q.  Can my regular dentist do braces?
A.  Yes. In California, all dentists are licensed to do all aspects of dentistry.

Q.  Can an orthodontist do fillings?
A.  Yes, but most don't.

General FAQ's

Q.  Does it hurt to get braces?
A.  Getting braces is more comfortable these days but not without inconvenience. After any change, like putting braces on, making an adjustment, new wires, etc., the teeth may be sensitive for a day or two. This usually starts 12 to 24 hours after an adjustment and lasts about as long. Softer foods help during this time, as will routine over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), and acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is entirely an individual thing. More people ask why it doesn't hurt than say it hurts.

Q.  How long will treatment take?
A.  Different for each individual, most kids take two to two and one-half years. Most adults, three to four. Limited treatment takes less time. More comprehensive or complicated treatment takes more time.

Q.  How often will I come in?
A.  Once per month, on average. The actual interval between visits varies from one to three weeks for a short interval, to six to twelve weeks for a longer interval, depending on what is going on with your teeth.

Q.  How long is each visit?
A.  Most visits are short (5 to 15 minutes). Some are long (30 to 60 minutes).

Q.  Are after school appointments available?
A.  Yes. Because most of our patients are school age, appointments outside school hours are booked well in advance.  If you miss one of these appointments, we may need to have you come in during school hours to make it up.

Q.  What's the best time for my child to start treatment?
A.  This depends on the nature of the problem. You or your dentist may not know what time Dr. Lang would like to start your child. Bring children in early, so Dr. Lang can decide.
                        - download more information on timing of treatment here .

Q.  My child has an underbite. I've been told he needs to be seen early by one dentist and that he needs to wait by another. How do I decide?
A.  It depends on the type of underbite. These are among the most difficult bites an orthodontist has to correct. Bring children in early, so Dr. Lang can decide.
                        - download more information on underbites here .

Cost of treatment

Q.  How much does treatment cost?
A.  From a few hundred to a few thousand, depending on what's involved.

Q.  Can I make monthly payments?
A.  Several payment options are available, including "no down" and "interest free" payment schedules. Most people chose the interest free option with a down payment and monthly payments spread over the length of treatment.
                        - download more information about our bookkeeping system here .

Q.  Do you take credit cards?
A.  Payment methods include cash, check, money order, Visa, and Master Card. We accept payments in person or by mail. We can charge your Visa or Master Card in person, over the telephone, or automatically for regular monthly payments. Unless you are on a monthly payment plan, charges are due and payable thirty days from the date of service, and you will get a statement in the mail to remind you. Late fees apply to overdue amounts. Some people finance their payments through Orthodontists Fee Plan (1-800-637-3393).

Q.  Will you bill my insurance?
A.  Yes. Please keep us up to date on any changes in your insurance.
                        - download more information on orthodontic insurance here .

Q.  Is Dr. Lang on any HMO or other low cost insurance plan like Healthy Families or Denti-Cal?
A.  No. Those types of plans limit what we can do.

Q.  Do you give discounts?
A.  Yes. For some special circumstances, but not often.

Q.  Will I be charged if I miss an appointment?
A.  No, as long as you call before your appointment time to say you will not be in. That way we can give the time to someone else.

Q.  Is financial aid available?
A.  Yes, but it is very limited. Ask for our office fact sheet on financial aid when you come in.
                        - download more information on financial aid here .

Q.  I have heard that in some offices, there is no charge for the first visit or the x-rays.  Why do you charge for these?
A.  We charge only for the first exam visit and the first full set of orthodontic records. Since nothing is really "free," our treatment fees would be higher than they are now if we did not charge separately for these services. This also offers you freedom of choice, in that you can stop at that point or go elsewhere without feeling pressured to protect your investment. Offices that offer free exams and x-rays usually charge you for them if you decide not to continue.

Q.  How come in some offices, they can give you an estimate on the first day, but you take longer?
A.  A "ballpark" figure is usually possible at our office on the first day.  An accurate quotation is made after a thorough analysis of the diagnostic records survey.  It's really the most accurate way.

Q.  Why do braces cost so much?  I've heard they cost only a few dollars each.
A.  The fee for braces treatment reflects the labor as well as the parts.  Also, it costs money to run an office of any kind. Our typical "overhead" is in the 60-70% range.

Q.  I can get braces cheaper elsewhere.  Why should I go to Dr. Lang?
A.  Our fees reflect the quality of our service.

Q.  Is there a charge to repair breakage?
A.  Usually not the first time for broken braces (brackets, bands) or wires.  After that, it's usually a nominal charge like $25 for the repair.  Retainers, removable appliances, and space maintainers are another story.  Replacement charges apply, unless they can be repaired on the spot.  In that case, a repair costs you less than a replacement.

FAQ's about treatment

Q.  What about colored braces?
A.  Colored braces don't work very well. They are made of plastic which is less durable and discolors. What we do is put colored rings over the metal braces so you can decorate your mouth. Clear, white, and "tooth" colored rings are also available.

Q.  What about colored retainers?
A.  Yes, we have them! Retainers are available in a variety of colors.

Q.  What about those jewelry-colored wires?
A.  We don't use them.  We use only wires approved by the FDA or the ADA Council on Dental Materials.

Q.  Do you use recycled brackets?
A.  No. We use new brackets.

Q.  Is the water safe in your office?
A.  Yes.  We use distilled bottled water.

Q.  Do you sterilize your instruments?
A.  Yes.  Everything which goes in your mouth and which is not disposable has been sterilized since the last time it was used.  We use the "universal precautions" outlined by the CDC.

Q.  Does Dr. Lang do the work or does he have assistants do it?
A.  California law is very specific about what may and may not be done by assistants.  Dr. Lang will do things the law requires only be done by the orthodontist.  He will also do many of the things which could also be done by an assistant.  He will have assistants do some of the things they are licensed to do.

Q.  Do I have to have teeth taken out?
A.  This depends entirely on your orthodontic problem.  Non-extraction is more likely if treatment is started early enough.  Starting treatment early favors non-extraction.  It also takes longer and costs more.  Bring children in early, so Dr. Lang can decide.
                        - download more information on serial extraction here .

Q.  What about wisdom teeth?
A.  This is a decision made on an individual basis.
                        - download more information on wisdom teeth here .

Q.  Why do some people need a headgear or neckgear?
A.  This is complicated.  It has to do with the position of your teeth relative to your jaw bones.  If we need to move upper teeth back and we don't want to move lower teeth forward, we need to use something like a headgear.  To determine what direction we need to move the teeth, Dr. Lang uses a "cephalometric analysis."  Bring children in early, so Dr. Lang can decide.  Patients usually only wear the appliance at home and while sleeping, so nobody knows they are wearing one.  Shhh... it's our secret!

Q.  Do you use a Herbst, Bionator, or any other Functional Appliance?
A.  Functional appliances are used where they are appropriate.

Q.  Do you ever give tours of your office?
A.  Yes.  Ask your teacher to arrange a classroom tour with our office.

Q.  How are emergencies handled?
A.  True emergencies (threat to life or health) are rare in Orthodontics.  Inconveniences such as broken braces and loose bands do happen.  If you can't wait until our next regular business day for a repair, Dr. Lang is on call for you.  There will be a charge for visits outside office hours.  When Dr. Lang is out of town, there will be another local orthodontist on call.  Dr. Lang will be on call for other orthodontists from time to time.

Q.  My friend is wearing a 'some-kind-of-appliance'.  Why don't you use that on me instead of what I have?
A.  Each patient's treatment plan is individual.  Different appliances work well for different problems.  Each orthodontist uses what works best in their own hands.

Q.  What about invisible braces (Invisalign™)?
A.  Invisible alignment has been around for many years.  What is new is the manufacturing technique and the marketing echnique.  See our page on invisible appliances.

Q.  What about braces hidden on the back of the teeth?
A.  Lingual orthodontic braces do not work the same as those on the front of the teeth. We do not use them.

Q.  What if I am pregnant, can I still get braces?
A.  We usually wait until after the baby is born.

Q.  I want to get done fast.  (I know I have gotten behind because of breakage, etc., but it's "not my fault.") Why can't you just tighten the braces really a lot and get me done sooner?
A.  There is a correct amount of force for maximum tooth movement with minimum harm.  Exceeding this amount may cause problems.

Q.  Why does breakage set me back in treatment?
A.  When we repair broken bands, wires, and brackets, we usually need to go back a step or two, because the tooth with the broken brace is not "with the program."  Repeated breakage can make you get farther behind with the passage of time.

Q.  My uncle is a building contractor.  He can set an exact date for completion of a project.  Why can't you?
A.  Your uncle does not have a teenager for a business partner.

Q.  If I move, will I be able to continue my treatment?
A.  Usually.  Patients transfer from one orthodontist to another all the time.  It's like changing schools in mid-semester.  At the new school, they may be on a different page in the textbook, or they may use a different textbook altogether, so various tests may be necessary to see where you are in the subject.
                        - download more information on outgoing transfers here .

Q.  If I transfer, will my treatment take longer or cost more?
A.  Yes, usually.  Like changing drivers in a car, you need to stop for a while.  Also, the cost of completion will be based on the fees of the orthodontist you transfer to.  Most larger areas have higher fees for the same services.  We will try our best to adjust your account to reflect only how much work was done here.

Q.  One company I found on the Internet says their braces are better than others and I should ask my orthodontist why they are not using them.  Should I?
A.  Most orthodontic manufacturers think their products are best, but leave it up to the orthodontist to decide which ones they want to buy.

Q.  My friend had her braces on for only a year.  Why are mine going to take longer?
A.  People are different.

Q.  Why is it orthodontists give such evasive answers when all I want to know is when I will get my braces off?
A.  Some questions are difficult to answer accurately.  We do not want to get your hopes up and then disappoint you.  Also, we really don't know the exact moment when the teeth will be straight enough to take the braces off.  Your teeth are not on a timer.

Q.  My teeth look good enough to me.  Why do you say there is more work to do?
A.  When this happens, it is usually because there are things which need to be done with the back teeth which don't show, but which will enhance the quality or stability of the result.

Q.  Will I have to wear retainers after my braces are off?
A.  Most likely, yes. This is the way we hold the teeth in their new positions. Retainer wear starts at 24 hours per day and is reduced over a period of time.
                        - download more information on retainers here .

Q.  If I don't wear my retainers, what will happen?
A.  Most likely, your teeth will move back somewhat. It's always best to wear your retainers as directed.
                        - download more information on relapse here .

New to area

Q.  I am a new patient to your area.  I am in braces and am checking out orthodontists to transfer to.  What do I do next?
A.  Call the office and tell us.  We will send you information so you can decide if you want to chose our office.
                        - download more information on incoming transfers here .

Q.  What if I am new to your area, I am in braces and I just want to get them off.  Is that possible?
A.  Yes, usually, but that  will not happen on the first visit. Refer to the informaiton we send you for details.

Q.  I am new in your area, I am in braces, but I don't want to transfer.  Can Dr. Lang just tighten my braces?
A.  Unfortunately, no.  Orthodontic treatment may be compared with cooking.  If a different cook steps in during the process, they can't always tell what's been done and what comes next, even by looking at the recipe.

Q.  What if my orthodontist sends Dr. Lang my treatment plan and tells him what's next?
A.  Each orthodontist must make their own decisions.  Orthodontic treatment plans are general in nature.  Much is carried in the head of the orthodontist who has a 'feel' for how things are going.  What's next on a given visit may change according to the judgment of the orthodontist who has been treating the case.

Q.  What if I want my old orthodontist to be the one to finish the treatment but need an emergency visit?
A.  Please call our office.  We will be happy to accommodate you.

Q.  I am in braces with another orthodontist in Humboldt County but I am unhappy. Can I transfer to your office?
A.  We usually do not encourage this.
                        - download more information on local transfers here .

On the Internet

Q.  I have found you on the internet.  I don't live in your area.  How can I find an orthodontist close to me?
A.  Go to our 'links' page.  The American Association of Orthodontists maintains a  list of member orthodontists all over the country.

Q.  If I send you a picture of my teeth, can you send me back a picture of how I would look after they are straightened?
A.  Please contact the American Association of Orthodontists for that service.  They also have a video about orthodontics which they can send you.  There is a link to the AAO on our links page.

Q.  What if these FAQ's don't answer all my questions?
A.  Look elsewhere on our site for more information.  There are also links to some dental and orthodontic resources.  If you still have questions, we invite you to call the office.  If we cannot answer your questions over the phone, we will be happy to make an appointment for you.