Frequently Asked Questions

Most patients are surprised to find that they are candidates for Invisalign in our office, even if they have been denied for Invisalign before. Many patients seek treatment through their dentist who is not specifically trained in the science and engineering of tooth realignment. Orthodontists are Dentists who have gone through additional training and education to master the art of this aspect of dental health. 

The experts at Becker Orthodontics can treat almost all patients with Invisalign. Whether you're experiencing gapping, overcrowding, or crooked teeth, we're specialists trained to treat patients with all oral mal afflictions using a number of different tools, Invisalign being one of those tools. 

If you're interested in discussing the benefits of Invisalign, schedule your free consultation with our team to review your options.

Depending on your treatment goals, it may be recommended that you opt for one option versus the other. However, most patients will have a choice. There are some pros and cons to consider when choosing between the two:

ALIGNER PROS

• No food restrictions.You simply pop the aligners out when you’re eating, and then pop them back in when you’re finished. 
• Visually less Obtrusive. They’re not very noticeable to the naked eye.
• In office appointments are reduced. We map out the entire treatment plan and provide you with 3-6 months worth of aligners, each aligner taking you through the next step so you're in-office appointments are reduced.

ALIGNER CONS

• You have to remember to put them back in after eating! Compliance i.e. ensuring you’re wearing them at least 22 hours a day is a huge factor in effective treatment. So, if you think you might take them out, and forget to put them back in, it may not be the best option for you.
• Easier to lose. They’re not attached to your teeth so it’s up to you to keep track of them when you do take them out.
• Not recommended for younger children, because of the compliance mentioned above.

METAL PROS

• They’re always on. This means you don’t have to worry about losing them.
• You can get them in different colors - at each adjustment appointment, you can have the color ties changed. You can stay fashionable or seasonally relevant with a selection of colors to choose from!
• Highly recommended for younger children.

METAL CONS

• Food restrictions! Because the metal brackets that hold the wire in place are cemented to your teeth, they can sometimes pop off if you’re eating something that is chewy, hard, or requires any kind of pulling motion. There are a few foods that you will need to avoid and others that you will have to adapt the way you eat them.
• Harder to floss. Getting underneath the wires to floss can be challenging, but we have some helpful recommendations, tips, and tricks that can help you overcome this.
• In-office adjustments. Adjustments are usually scheduled every 10 - 12 weeks to start and then increase to every 4-6 weeks as treatment progresses. 

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7. This is the age when many bite issues start to develop, especially since adult teeth usually start to erupt around this time. While many orthodontists are eager to correct the first sign of an issue, monitoring your child's oral health is the best means of early prevention.

Dr. Becker takes a very conservative approach when it comes to the treatment of children. Most parents, especially ones seeking a second opinion, are refreshed to learn that only a few situations require early intervention. We offer a free observation program for your kids aged 6+. 

The Observation program is a free, no-fee, 6-monthly consultation that ensures we stay ahead of any potential growth and development challenges before they happen, often reducing or eliminating the need for future treatment with braces.

Absolutely, yes. Regardless of age, orthodontic treatment can provide many health benefits. After all, straighter teeth are easier to clean and Invisalign trays are simple to use. Best of all? It can also improve your confidence in your smile. When you're looking for a cosmetic dentist in Montgomery County, PA rely on the experience of the Becker Orthodontics team.

We get this question a lot. Many of our patients don't realize that orthodontics treatments can occur in conjunction with cosmetic dentistry services.

The team at Becker Orthodontics takes a comprehensive team approach to your orthodontics in order to coordinate the timing and sequence of all aspects of your treatment. That way, we can maximize the health and esthetic benefits you receive during and after your treatment. If further services are needed, we will communicate with your dentist in order to successfully meet all of your oral health goals.

Treatment time can vary from several weeks to several months depending on the difficulty of the case. For example, a couple of crooked teeth will be easier to fix than someone suffering with a cross bite or other jaw issue. 

Dr. Becker takes pride in the efficiencies of his treatment techniques and technology. Most of the people who come into our office finish treatment well before their predicted treatment time and far ahead of other orthodontic options available. When you're ready to schedule a meeting about your dental health, don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Becker today.

Depending on your age, waiting for treatment when a problem has been identified can cause more problems to develop and end up increasing the cost of treatment!

In Adults, our role is to help you preserve the integrity and health of your teeth and reduce any potential damage to their surfaces that is being caused by your bite. An incorrect bite can lead to tooth wear, the need for extraction, and other conditions such as TMJ. Braces will correct and prevent any further damage increasing the longevity of your teeth and reducing the need for more complex (and expensive) treatment later on.

In children, we are observing not only the alignment and positioning of the teeth but also the jaw and how it is developing to accommodate them. The two bones that connect the roof of a child's mouth haven't fused together yet. This means their jaws can easily shift to ensure teeth are guided into the correct position and make the necessary room for the adult ones to come in correctly. Once these bones are fused, treatment becomes more intrusive often requiring extraction and sometimes surgery. This creates barriers for many patients as it means extra expense and discomfort!