Here at Jaffe Orthodontics, we are committed to providing exceptional orthodontic care to help patients of all ages achieve their dream smiles. Dr. Jaffe and his dedicated staff proudly specialize in a variety of orthodontic treatments, including Portsmouth, RI Invisalign. Because we want each of our patients to feel comfortable and knowledgeable regarding orthodontic treatment, we have compiled the following frequently asked questions about orthodontics. These are some of the most common patient inquiries we receive in our office and through phone calls. We invite you to explore the FAQ’s below to learn more about orthodontic treatment, braces, and Invisalign in Barrington, RI.
Yes, in general, foods that are very sticky or chewy, and foods that are hard or crunchy will damage the braces. It is mostly common sense, but we will provide a full list when you get your braces on. Typically, this is not as big a concern with Invisalign.
Braces and Invisalign do not cause cavities, but it is harder to keep teeth clean with them on. Again, we will provide detailed instructions on how to prevent cavities while wearing braces or Invisalign.
It does not hurt to get braces on, but there is generally some soreness when the teeth first start to move. This typically lasts 3-4 days and is relieved with over-the-counter analgesics (Motrin/Tylenol). We recommend soft foods during this initial period.
We do recommend sports mouth guards, particularly for contact sports. We are happy to provide one, if requested. They can also be purchased at sporting goods stores but must specify “for use with orthodontic appliances. No “boil and bite”.
We do have 24-hour emergency coverage. If you experience an issue, please call our main number, and our answering system will prompt you to contact our emergency line. Typically, you will speak directly to Dr. Jaffe.
Yes. Teeth tend to shift throughout the course of our lifetimes. This is true for people who have had braces and those who have not. We will provide retainers and instructions to help you protect your investment.
We will provide you with an estimated length of treatment prior to starting- it will be different for everyone. This estimate is based on published research and Dr. Jaffe’s experience, but it is still only an estimate. We will do our absolute best to complete your treatment as efficiently as we can. Please be aware the patient compliance is a big part of this. Broken braces, poor oral hygiene and failed appointments typically result in longer treatment times. Additionally, please understand that length of treatment is independent of the financial arrangement. Our charges are based on case complexity.
The short answer is that there may be a few appointments when this occurs. We do our best to ensure that appointments are convenient for as many people as possible. With that said, we try to schedule our longer appointments during school hours, so that we can accommodate as many shorter routine appointments as possible during the early morning and later afternoon times. In general, office hours are 7:30am-5pm. Unfortunately, we do not offer nights and weekends at this time.
No. We will explicitly spell out our financial terms prior to treatment. Our policies tend to be very lenient, but excessive breakage and/or frequently missed appointments may lead to additional charges following adequate warning.
Once the braces are on, appointments are generally scheduled every 6-8 weeks. Most appointments will be reasonably short, 20-30 minutes. Longer appointments (getting braces on, getting braces off) will typically scheduled mid-day. We do our best to run on time, and we ask that you do the same. We understand that life is busy, so if you are going to be late, or need to reschedule, please give us as much advanced notice as possible.
Yes, in fact, this is essential. Please be aware that we do not clean teeth and we do not look for cavities. Your dentist will continue to monitor your overall dental health during the course of your orthodontic treatment.
Thank you for choosing Dr. Jordan Jaffe as your local Barrington, Portsmouth, Bristol, Middletown, RI and Swansea, MA orthodontist. At Jaffe Orthodontics, we work hard to accommodate your schedule and make an appointment that works best for you. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation for our clear braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen treatment and more please fill out the form below. Once you submit our form, a member of our Barrington and Portsmouth orthodontics staff will contact you as soon as possible.