Q: What is an orthodontist?
A: An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in aligning or straightening teeth. Dr. Rigsbee will work closely with your family dentist to keep you in ideal oral health while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Q: Will braces hurt?
A: Braces do not hurt, and it does not hurt to have braces placed because we are able to "glue" or "bond" the braces to your teeth. You may feel some discomfort after the initial banding appointment and after major adjustments. We recommend that patients take aspirin or Advil, or rinse with warm salt water. Generally, the discomfort is alleviated within a couple of days.
Q: Can I chew hard, sticky foods with braces?
A: There are certain foods that you will want to avoid while you have orthodontic appliances. Chewy, sticky foods can break the appliances and delay the progress of treatment. Even with all the advances in orthodontics, the biggest sacrifice that kids have to make is to give up sticky, chewy and gummy foods.
Q: How often will I need to come in for myappointments?
A: The frequency of your visits is going to depend on the doctor's treatment plan and your oral hygiene. Generally, our patients come in every 4-8 weeks for adjustment appointments and progress checks. Once Dr. Rigsbee finalizes treatment recommendations, we will be able to tell you how often we will need to see you.
Q: Will my child ever have to miss school for appointments?
A: One of our goals, along with providing our patients with the highest quality of care, is to see our patients on time. We realize your time is very valuable. In order to accomplish this and minimize our out of school or work time, we schedule the longer appointments between 9:00 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. This allows us to see many more patients for shorter appointments before and after school.
Q: Should I still see my general dentist?
A: Yes, Dr. Rigsbee emphasizes the importance of proper oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. He recommends dental examinations and prophylaxis at six-month intervals.
Q: Why can't I just have a retainer instead of braces?
A: Retainers hold teeth in their proper positions and move them very slightly. Retainers cannot move teeth in the same way that braces do. We use the braces to move your teeth into alignment, and then we use the retainer to keep your teeth in their new positions.
Q: Do you take adult patients?
A: Certainly. In fact, 30% of our patients are adults. Many adults choose to receive orthodontic care that was not available to them as children. Most of our adult patients choose orthodontics because they want to enjoy a more attractive and healthy smile. The lifetime benefits of a beautiful smile and good oral health make orthodontics an attractive option for many adults. With advancements like clear and invisible braces and shorter treatment time, orthodontics is even more appealing now.

Q: How long does treatment take?
A: There are many variables that contribute to the length of orthodontic treatment. The severity of the orthodontic problem and patient cooperation to name a few. However, an average treatment time for comprehensive orthodontic treatment is 24-30 months. After Dr. Rigsbee has reviewed your diagnostic records, he will be able to give you a close estimate for your treatment time based on your individual orthodontic needs.