Smile FAQ

Orthodontists are dental specialists who undergo an additional two to three years of formal training beyond dental school to properly diagnose and treat dental and skeletal irregularities. Only those who have completed this rigorous training may call themselves “orthodontists.” Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Manuele have voluntarily obtained board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics, an accomplishment that is only achieved by approximately 50% of practicing orthodontists. With this expertise, our doctors can create beautiful smiles and ensure optimal bite correction and function. We are proud to offer our patients the highest level of specialized care.

Yes!  While your orthodontist and your general dentist work together to improve your smile, they focus on different procedures.  Seeing your general dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning will help you to avoid tooth decay, gum disease and other dental related issues.

A good rule of thumb when it comes to braces is that you can eat any food that is soft. It’s also a good idea to cut your food up into small pieces so that you avoid damaging your braces by biting through big chunks of food.

 More importantly, you need to know WHAT YOU CAN’T EAT WITH BRACES.

– Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice

– Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice

– Sticky foods: caramels, gum

– Hard foods: nuts, hard pretzels

– Sugary food: candy

– Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

You’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods once your braces are off. But for the duration of the time you are wearing braces, it’s important to not eat foods that can damage your braces.

As part of our commitment to transparency, we do not charge extra for clear aligners, and the cost of treatment is consistent for braces or aligner therapy. While the cost of orthodontic treatment can be influenced by factors such as the severity of the condition and the duration of the treatment. We aim to offer our patients a personalized treatment plan that achieves optimal results in the shortest time while providing options that complement their lifestyles and preferences. We encourage a complimentary smile assessment with our expert team to obtain a precise treatment cost estimate.

Orthodontists and dentists both help patients improve their oral health, but in different ways.

Both orthodontists and dentists strive to help patients improve their oral health, but the way they go about it is quite different. While general dentists have a broad knowledge of the mouth and deal with the teeth, gums, nerves, and jaw, orthodontists are specialists who focus specifically on the alignment of the teeth and jaws, occlusion and correcting bites.

No, orthodontists don’t perform extractions. Sometimes an extraction is necessary for the overall health of your mouth or to achieve a straighter smile. If this is the case, Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Manuele will refer you to a general dentist or oral surgeon as needed.

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry focused on correcting irregularities of the teeth and jaw, specifically in how they align and fit together. There are several orthodontic treatment options available, and our team will make certain that you receive the one that is right for your personal needs. Through orthodontics, we can correct teeth that are misaligned, crowded, and gapped.

We can also correct problems with airway, bite alignment, including overbite, underbite, open bite, and crossbite. Orthodontic treatment is now faster, more comfortable, and more effective than in years past, making now the perfect time to transform your smile.