Frequently Asked Questions

Everyone has to wear braces for different lengths of time, but most people usually wear braces for about 1-2 years.

Braces straighten teeth by putting steady pressure on your teeth and by staying in place for a certain amount of time. Most kids just need regular braces with wires and rubber bands that keep pressure on the teeth. The wires on the braces help to move the teeth, and the rubber bands help to correct the alignment.

After braces are removed, a retainer is usually necessary to keep the teeth in their new position.

It depends on what type treatment is needed. We do accept insurances. Please come in for your complimentary consultation to have your child evaluated.

After evaluating your case, picking a treatment option, and determining the length of treatment, we will determine a price that fits your orthodontic needs and you will be offered an affordable payment plan that meets your financial needs.

• We offer flexible payment plans and automatic bank drafts.
• We will check your insurance and bill your insurance for their portion.
• We are happy to help you with all insurance and financial questions and concerns.

We wrote a great article to help with this mystery.

What can I eat with braces?

Nervous about your first visit? During your initial consultation, Dr. Grinbaum will take a look at your teeth and ask you questions about your likes and dislikes of the appearance of your teeth. She will ask you lifestyle questions to get to know you so she can offer you the best treatment options.

This first consultation will leave you informed, and is personalized to fit your needs and wants. It is for this reason that we allow approximately one hour for the Initial Examination appointment. The appointment begins with a review of a completed dental health form, after which the Dr. Grinbaum will examine the teeth, mouth, and profile. If necessary to analyze your dentition, we will recommend a panoramic x-ray be taken in the office free of charge, unless you have had one taken in the past 6 months. If so, please have your panoramic x-ray emailed to the office at ortho@
smilesandgrins.com.

She will have a discussion with you about how your teeth and bite can be corrected and explain all of the available appliances – such as metal traditional braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign, Invisalign teen, hidden braces (InBRACE/Incognito). You will also be able to touch and feel these appliances to better help you decide which is the right choice for you.

Your discussion will go over the differences between the options, the different outcomes, and the process from the initial records-taking – such as digital scans and photographs – to the day the appliances are placed, and the process throughout.

If Dr. Grinbaum recommends orthodontic treatment, she will review the best treatment options, estimated treatment length and the approximate time to begin treatment. A financial coordinator will also be available to review the cost of treatment and financial arrangements with you. If you have dental insurance, please forward your insurance information prior to your appointment to verify your orthodontic benefits.

Insurance + Financing

You may fill out the patient forms here, or fill them out in the office.

This depends on the appliance you choose to have. During your "tightening" visit, we will change your elastics (the wrap around the wire to hold it in place) and may adjust or replace your wire. Your visit intervals may vary but on average if you have:

• Metal or ceramic braces you will be seen every 6-8 weeks
• Lingual braces (InBrace or Incognito), you will be seen every 6-12 weeks
• Invisalign/ aligners you will be seen every 8-14 weeks

There are many factors that play a role in your treatment length. We are only able to estimate the length of your treatment, and will give you an estimated timeline during your complimentary initial consultation.

In order to maintain your teeth in their proper position you will need to wear a form of a retainer for life. Our bodies are alive and are in constant movement and so are our teeth, they tend to move forward and inward as we get older.

If you have a fixed lingual retainer, this is enough to hold your teeth in place.

If you choose not to have a fixed lingual placed you will need to wear your retainer 12-22 hours a day for the first 2 months, then 12 hours a day for up to a year. Once the first year has passed, we recommend wearing your retainer 3-5 nights a week.

Once growth and development has stopped, some maintenance is still required to maintain the orthodontic results. We will help you make an informed decision on the best way for you to keep your orthodontic results. Some choices may include fixed lingual retainers, Essix retainers or a mix of both.

The concept of tooth movement is the same with both traditional braces and Incognito. The main difference is their placement. Traditional braces are placed on the front surfaces of your teeth and lingual braces are placed on the back surface of your teeth, where they are invisible to everyone else. They are completely hidden and lay on the tongue side of your teeth. This allows our adult patients the ability to correct their teeth without anyone knowing they are having treatment done. Lingual braces allow our NYC adult patients the ability to have zero changes in their lifestyle, from feeling confident during dating, conducting business meetings and enjoying their lives without feeling self conscious of their treatment.

No! You are never too old to fix your teeth. As long as your gums and bone structure are in a healthy condition you may move your teeth to straighten them. For adults there are many different options other than "typical traditional metal brace." At Smiles + Grins Orthodontics in New York City we offer esthetic and hidden options to give you the smile you always wanted. Some of these options include, Invisalign , ceramic braces and braces behind the teeth called lingual braces such as Incognito. All of these options are highly recommended for our adult population wanting to correct their teeth.

You are never too old to begin orthodontic treatment, but if you start at an earlier age, there are certain problems that may be easier to correct. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child should see at orthodontist for an evaluation around the age of 7, or as soon as the child's adult or permanent teeth begin to come in.