| Q: |
Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments? |
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With practice and a period of adjustment, braces typically do not interfere with the playing of wind or brass instruments. |
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| Q: |
May I play sports while wearing braces? |
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Yes, but wear a protective mouth guard. |
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| Q: |
Can I get braces if I snorkel or scuba dive? |
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Yes, but not being careful with the mouthpieces can lead to breakage of your braces and disruption of your treatment progress. |
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| Q: |
Do I need to have shots? |
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No shots are generally needed for orthodontic treatment. |
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| Q: |
Can I get braces if I have my tongue pierced? |
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Wearing a tongue stud can cause breakage of orthodontic appliances and is not recommended. |
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| Q: |
Can I get braces and return to school or work the same day? |
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Yes. Getting braces is not like getting a tooth extracted. It is relatively painless and you should be able to return to school or work the same day. |
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| Q: |
Can I get braces even though I have crowns and/or bridges? |
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Yes. Your orthodontist can put a band or bracket on the crowned tooth and move it just like any other tooth. Bridges, because they involve multiple joined teeth, will not move well with braces. If you need to move a bridged tooth, your orthodontist may have to section the bridge or have your dentist remove it |
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| MYTH: |
Braces are painful and take 2 years or more for the desired result. |
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| FACT: |
After the adjustment period, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, braces are comfortable. Some may be worn for months, not years. |
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| MYTH: |
Braces are ugly, call attention to themselves and would be embarrassing in business settings. |
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| FACT: |
Today's braces may be nearly invisible, made from clear plastic, or unseen, mounted on the back (lingual) side of the teeth. |
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| MYTH: |
Braces are for kids. |
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| FACT: |
One in five orthodontic patients is an adult |
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| MYTH: |
My family dentist says he can straighten my teeth. |
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| FACT: |
An orthodontist has 2-3 years of specialized training beyond dental school and is a specialist at straightening teeth and insuring proper form and function. A dentist may see a handful of cases a year amid drilling and filling. An orthodontist only practices orthodontics and treats hundreds of patients. |
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