Traditional Braces in Phoenix, AZ | Damon System | Self-Ligating Braces in Phoenix, Arizona

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Orthodontics?
2. Why choose an orthodontist to straighten my teeth?
3. What is a board certified orthodontist? Aren’t all orthodontists board certified?
4. Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
5. Are braces necessary?
6. When should I look for orthodontic problems in my children?
7. When is the best time to see the orthodontist? Do all the permanent teeth need to be in?
8. Who should we bring to our initial consultation?
9. What type of information will I receive at the consultation?
10. What are the benefits of early treatment?
11. How do braces give me straight teeth?
12. Can I straighten my teeth without braces and wires?
13. I’m not a candidate for Invisalign – what can I do?
14. What are Damon braces?
15. What is “instant orthodontics”?
16. Can I get my teeth bleached/ whitened with braces?
17. What are rubber bands?
18. I have TMJ/TMD and am hoping orthodontics will cure me…
19. Am I too old? Nobody my age has braces.
20. What foods should I avoid with braces?
21. How do I clean the braces? Do I need a special toothbrush?
22. How long will I be in braces?
23. If my child has Phase I – is there a Phase II?
24. Do I need to have teeth pulled?
25. How long do I have to wear my retainers?
26. What types of retainers are there?
27. Are braces expensive?
28. How does insurance work?
29. What about sterilization?

1. What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a division of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities.

2. Why choose an orthodontist to straighten my teeth?
Just as there are specialists in medicine (such as cardiologists, obstetricians, dermatologists etc.), there are specialists in dentistry. There is a difference between an orthodontist and a dentist who does a few orthodontic procedures.
Orthodontists are trained dentists, who after completing dental school; continue on in further full-time university-based education in an accredited orthodontic residency program supervised by orthodontists. That intensive training lasts 2-3 years and is exclusively focused on orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. By learning about tooth movement (orthodontics) and guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics), orthodontists are the uniquely qualified experts in dentistry to straighten teeth and align jaws.

An orthodontic specialist is an expert on aligning and helping jaws develop properly. Orthodontists completely limit their practice to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics to assure you that you are receiving the highest quality care. For the most part, orthodontic insurances only pay for braces once in a lifetime. Have an orthodontic specialist do it correctly the first time!

3. What is a board certified orthodontist? Aren’t all orthodontists board certified?
A board certified orthodontist has completed a graduate program in the specialty of orthodontics that is accredited by the American Dental Association. Graduation from an accredited orthodontic specialty program makes the orthodontist eligible to become board certified through the voluntary examination procedure of The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). The ABO is the only certifying board recognized by the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association. Participation in the certification process is a display of the orthodontist's quest of continued proficiency and excellence.

The certification procedure includes a detailed Written Examination covering all subjects of orthodontics and facial growth. Successful completion permits the orthodontist to present treated cases to a Board of expert examiners. Upon successful completion of case presentations and oral examination, the orthodontist becomes a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and can then identify themselves as board certified. Only 38% of orthodontists in the United States and Canada are board certified. Both Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn are proud to be board certified orthodontists.

4. Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
Absolutely not!! Unlike medical insurance, you do not need a referral from your general dentist. You can make an appointment for a complimentary exam without any worries. We love to meet new patients. If you are new to the area and looking for a dentist, we would also be happy to give you recommendations.

5. Are braces necessary?
No. But, properly aligned teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy gums and teeth. Properly aligned jaws and teeth may alleviate or prevent physical health problems. Teeth that work better also tend to look better. A beautiful smile is a pleasant “side effect” of orthodontic treatment. An attractive smile is a wonderful asset. It plays a role in self-confidence, self-esteem and self-image—important qualities at any age. A pleasing appearance is a critical part of self-confidence. A person's self-esteem frequently improves as orthodontic treatment brings teeth, lips and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve a person’s general attitude toward life.

6. When should I look for orthodontic problems in my children?
As soon as their permanent teeth begin to come in, you can begin to look for developing orthodontic problems. Here are some signs that may indicate the need for an orthodontic evaluation:
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting
Crowded or blocked out teeth
Teeth that do not meet at all
Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion with the rest of the face
Habits (like thumb sucking) continued after the permanent incisors come in
Upper teeth that “stick out”
If your child is exceptionally self-conscious of his/her smile

Of course, you can always call Dunn Orthodontics for a complimentary examination so Drs. Courtney and Matthew Dunn can check for potential problems for you.

7. When is the best time to see the orthodontist? Do all the permanent teeth need to be in?
The American Association of Orthodontists advocates that every child have their initial orthodontic screening by age seven. Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn are trained to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth even while baby teeth are present. The benefit of early detection is that some orthodontic issues may be simpler to fix if caught and addressed early. 85-90% of the time, we will just supervise the development and growth of your child every 9-12 months until he/she is ready for full orthodontic treatment.

Remember – there is no age limit for orthodontics!! At Dunn Orthodontics, we enjoy treating adults as well as children.

8. Who should we bring to our initial consultation?
If possible, all decision makers should come to the initial consultation appointment. This gives everybody the chance to ask questions and completely understand the treatment plan. We can also better explain our treatment findings and solutions by using visual aids. If everybody is unable to come, we are always available to answer questions via telephone.

9. What type of information will I receive at the consultation?
During the first appointment Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn will:
Welcome you to the office
Review your health history
Do a complete orthodontic exam
Summarize your specific orthodontic issues
Explain the possibilities for improvement
Identify the optimum time to begin treatment
Approximate how long treatment will last and how much your insurance will pay

We strive for a very friendly, open and caring environment in the office. We encourage you to ask questions throughout the examination. We would like you to feel confident and informed when you leave the office.

10. What are the benefits of early treatment?
Some advantages of early treatment include:
Prevent harmful habits
Lower possibility of injury to protruded front teeth
Improve appearance and self-image
Improvement of issues that lead to unfavorable growth problems
Guide eruption of permanent teeth.

For each patient who needs treatment, there is an optimum time for it to begin in order to attain the best result. Dunn Orthodontics would love to help you figure out when orthodontic treatment is right for your child.

11. How do braces give me straight teeth?
Braces use gentle force to move the teeth into the ideal place. The braces have a prescription built into the bracket that has the optimal torque, tip and place for each tooth. The wire that we use has the “optimal” form of where your teeth should be. By threading the wire into the brackets, the prescription is expressed and the wire tries to go back to its original form. Both of these pressures cause the tooth to move in the bone.
Bone is a very dynamic living tissue. The pressure from the braces and wires causes the bone to resorb to create room for the tooth in the correct position. At the same time it fills in bone where the tooth was previously. The whole process seems very complex, but with new wires and technology it is more comfortable than ever.

12. Can I straighten my teeth without braces and wires?
Definitely. There are many people that are candidates for Invisalign. Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn are Invisalign certified and have been learning about and utilizing this technology since their orthodontic residency. This is a method to use a progression of removable clear aligners to align the teeth without braces or wires. This sophisticated technology does not fix all bite issues and candidates for Invisalign should be selected carefully.
We urge you to pick a provider with formal orthodontic training who can modify your treatment accordingly if things do not go as designed. Numerous patients can complete treatment with just aligners. Some patients will achieve a better outcome with a combination of a short phase of conventional braces to correct problems that are difficult for aligners and the majority of orthodontic treatment with invisible aligners undetectable to the human eye. An orthodontic specialist has the expertise to suggest to you numerous options for your optimal result.

If you are not a candidate for Invisalign, we offer clear braces which are considerably less noticeable and a popular option for adults and teens alike!

13. I’m not a candidate for Invisalign – what can I do?
We offer ceramic (clear) braces that are much less conspicuous. From a distance, people may not notice them or think you are just wearing a retainer. The technology is improving at a great rate to make wires less obvious as well. Many celebrities such as Fantasia have worn the ceramic brackets rather than Invisalign.

14. What are Damon braces?
Damon braces otherwise known as the Damon System is simply one of 30+ brands of self-ligating brackets. Other commonly used brands of self-ligating brackets include In-Ovation, Smart Clip, Time3, Vision LP, and Speed. Unlike conventional braces, these braces have a built-in mechanism to hold the wire in position. Since elastic ties are not used, you cannot select various colors with these braces. Years ago it was believed that self-ligating braces resulted in less pain and shorter treatment times (less time in braces). Unfortunately, recent findings have shown this to NOT be true. While self-ligating braces are still used by many orthodontists for a variety of reasons, studies have shown them to work no better or worse than traditional braces.

15. What is “instant orthodontics”?
“Instant orthodontics” has absolutely nothing to do with orthodontics since no teeth are in fact moved. “Instant orthodontics” is the procedure of placing veneers and crowns over the crooked teeth to make them look straight from the front. The actual teeth and roots are never actually straightened. This process is not performed by an orthodontist but instead by a general/ cosmetic dentist. Given that “instant orthodontics” permanently damages the teeth and may prevent you from ever having real orthodontic treatment in the future; it is not a decision to be made lightly. While it is universally well established that these procedures are not recommended for children, leading cosmetic dentists have even begun to question the ethical implications of performing such procedures in adults given the necessity of replacing crowns and veneers every 5-10 years resulting in removal of even more tooth structure.
In addition, be cautious of the dentist you select for such a process. Cosmetic dentistry is not an officially recognized specialty and therefore a dentist does not require any special training to call themselves a cosmetic dentist.

16. Can I get my teeth bleached/ whitened with braces?
No. You can, however, whiten your teeth before you get braces or when you are completed with braces.

17. What are rubber bands?
Rubber bands are an incredibly important part of treatment. Rubber bands are removable elastics that help get the upper and lower teeth to fit in an optimum location. Brackets alone cannot move your teeth without the steady force of the rubber bands directing them into place. It is imperative you wear your elastics as directed. If you don’t wear the elastics, orthodontic treatment will require more time and you may end up with a compromised outcome. The majority of people only need to wear elastics for six months of their overall orthodontic treatment time. Isn’t it worth it for the smile of your dreams?

18. I have TMJ/TMD and am hoping orthodontics will cure me…
There is no evidence to demonstrate that orthodontics will cure or cause TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders). It is essential to have your jaw assessed by a TMJ/TMD specialist first. Once your jaw problems are under control, we would be glad to work on your smile and bite.

19. Am I too old? Nobody my age has braces.
You are never too old to start orthodontics. As long as your teeth, gingival and adjacent bone are healthy there is nothing preventing you! You may be astonished to know that 20% of orthodontic patients are adults. There are approximately 1,000,000 adults in orthodontic treatment today.

20. What foods should I avoid with braces?
We request that you avoid crunchy, sticky, chewy, hard and high sugar foods. These foods can catch on the brackets, bend wires, pull off braces and bands and produce permanent white marks on your teeth. You can still have a lot of the same foods, but you may need to alter the way you eat them. Cutting things up into small pieces and mainly using your back teeth is a good approach.

21. How do I clean the braces? Do I need a special toothbrush?
Our motto is “the best toothbrush is the one that gets used”. For the most part, there is no need to use a special toothbrush, but you do need to spend more time brushing your teeth, braces and gums. We also recommend that every patient uses a fluoride based mouth rinse before bed. We will discuss brushing and flossing when you get your braces and we will always be available for instructions and suggestions when desired.

22. How long will I be in braces?
Treatment time will differ from person to person and the orthodontist’s treatment estimate is precisely that – an estimate. The national average is about 2 years, but orthodontic treatment can last anywhere from 9-36 months depending on the difficulty of the issue and the compliance of the patient. One should not select an orthodontic specialist based on the estimated treatment time. Many orthodontists will underestimate orthodontic treatment times simply to gain you as a patient.

23. If my child has Phase I – is there a Phase II?
The vast majority of (~90%) children who require a Phase I orthodontic treatment still need a 2nd phase of treatment. Research has shown that children who have Phase I orthodontic treatment do not have a shorter or less difficult second phase of orthodontic treatment. There will be situations where Phase I orthodontic treatment is needed to help avoid more severe problems. If there is any question, bring your child in for a consultation.

24. Do I need to have teeth pulled?
With progress in technology, the need for removal of permanent teeth has been significantly decreased. In certain situations, however, removal of permanent teeth is still needed to provide the most ideal facial and dental esthetics. In situations where removing teeth is required the spaces will be closed and no one will ever know you had them out.

25. How long do I have to wear my retainers?
Research has demonstrated that teeth shift over time with or without braces. No treatment is absolutely stable. That is why retainers are a lifetime commitment. We will instruct you to wear your retainers full time (24/7) for the first half year, every night for two years and then at least three nights a week for life.

26. What types of retainers are there?
There are many varieties of retainers. It is important for Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn to look at your case and give you their recommendations for what is best for you. Of course, we also want your input. In general there are four styles of retainers:
Invisible retainers (clear trays that cover the teeth)
Hawley retainers (plastic and wire retainers)
Permanent retainers (glued to the inside of the teeth)
Positioners (looks like an upper and lower mouthguard glued together)

27. Are braces expensive?
Orthodontic prices have not increased as fast as many other consumer products. The treatment fee will vary depending on the severity of the case. Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn will work with you to create a financial arrangement that works best for you. Dunn Orthodontics provides interest free financing as well as sibling and military discounts. The average monthly payments may be lower than you think. We do not want money to get in the way of the smile of your dreams.

28. How does insurance work?
We accept nearly all orthodontic insurances – we can file with any PPO plan. Do not be fooled by outdated internet provider lists. Call our front desk and we can review your insurance benefits before your first appointment. Usually your insurance will cover a portion of the fee and you will be responsible for the rest. We are glad to work with your insurance companies to maximize your orthodontic benefit.

29. What about sterilization?
Our patient’s peace of mind, safety and health are very important to us. Therefore, we use state-of-the-art sterilization techniques for all of our surfaces and equipment. Our employees are OSHA trained and abides by all guidelines. If you have any questions about our procedures, please ask.

If you have additional questions about our office or orthodontics in general, call the Dunn Orthodontics location closest you and schedule your orthodontic exam and consultation today.

Dunn Orthodontics is Phoenix, Arizona's premier orthodontist/dentist providing traditional braces and self-ligating braces (not the Damon System) to Phoenix, AZ.

Website created by Matthew Dunn, DDS, MS (orthodontist in Phoenix, AZ) and Courtney Dunn, DDS, MS (orthodontist in Phoenix, Arizona) for Dunn Orthodontics providing traditional braces and self-ligating braces (not Damon braces) to Phoenix, Arizona.
Contact: info@phoenix-orthodontics.com

Phoenix Office
7550 N. 19th Ave #101
Phoenix, AZ 85021
TEL: 480.526.4038
FAX: 602.864.0070

Litchfield Park Office
5220 N. Dysart Rd #150
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
TEL: 623.432.1428
FAX: 623.536.4877