Your Questions, Answered
Dr. Savage and the team at Savage Orthodontics care about your experience, and we want you to feel empowered and confident when it comes to your treatment.
Find the answers to your most commonly asked questions right here.
Orthodontists are specialists who focus on your bite and the alignment of your teeth. Their job is to not only make sure that your smile looks great, but your bite feels good and functions properly, too.
In addition to dental school, orthodontists are the only dental specialists who have additional education and training focused exclusively on the movement of teeth, jawbones, facial bones, and soft tissue–3,700 hours of specialized training to be exact. They understand growth and development and are also called dentofacial orthopedists.
Dr. Savage and our team are braces experts, ensuring your procedure is swift, painless, and effective. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
You’ll visit our New Braunfels orthodontic office for a free consultation where you’ll meet the Savage Orthodontics family. We’ll examine your mouth, take digital X-rays and impressions (no goopy molds!), and snap a few photos.
Dr. Savage will then determine your diagnosis and the best course of treatment. He’ll sit down with you to discuss your treatment goals and options, and our team will answer any questions so you can make an informed decision. If you’re ready to start your smile transformation, you can start your treatment that very same day!
When it’s time to get your braces, the process is pain-free and needle-free. Dr. Savage will attach the brackets to your teeth with special glue, and a team member will place the archwires. If you want colored elastics, you can choose your favorite shades.
The entire process takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Afterward, we’ll explain how to care for your new braces, and you’ll be on your way.
At Savage Orthodontics, we will do everything in our power to show you that we value your time.
In most cases, You’ll need to visit us every four to eight weeks for an appointment. However, for our clear aligner patients, you may be able to go longer between visits. We have technology available to track your treatment progress remotely and provide you with doctor supervision from the comfort of your own home!
During each visit, Dr. Savage and our team will check on your progress and make any necessary adjustments. Dr. Savage will meet with you each time, answer your questions, and keep you updated on your treatment. For kids and teens, we make sure their parents or guardians are fully informed as well.
At your final appointment, we’ll start by celebrating your achievement! Then, using special tools, we’ll gently remove your brackets and wires. After polishing your teeth, you’ll get to admire your beautiful new smile.
After your braces are removed, your teeth may naturally try to shift back to their original positions. Wearing a retainer is key to preventing this and keeping your new smile looking amazing.
We’ll create a custom retainer just for you to stabilize your teeth in their new positions and ensure your results last a lifetime.
Proper care is essential for maintaining your braces and ensuring effective treatment.
Broken brackets prolong treatment time and require additional visits to the office for repairs. The easiest way to avoid broken brackets is by exercising caution with the foods you eat. You should avoid anything hard or sticky.
It’s important to brush your braces when you brush your teeth. Keeping your braces clean will help prevent food from being stuck in your braces or on your teeth. This will help your treatment to be successful and your teeth to remain healthy.
Orthodontists and dentists fulfill different roles. It is important that you keep up with your regular dental appointments and cleanings during the duration of your orthodontic treatment. While Dr. Savage will be focusing on the position of your teeth and jaws, your dentist will be keeping them clean and healthy! We want our patients to have a dental home.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial when you have braces. Brush your teeth after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste (Ask Dr. Savage about his favorite toothpastes!). Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and around the brackets. This routine helps prevent cavities and keeps your braces clean.
Yes, to prevent damage to your braces, it’s best to avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods. Foods like popcorn, nuts, and chewing gum can break brackets and wires, which can prolong your treatment time. Stick to softer foods and cut harder items into smaller pieces to protect your braces.