Current Patients
Patient FAQ
Answers to the most common questions from patients in treatment. If you do not see what you are looking for, call us — we are happy to help.
Braces Care
How often should I brush with braces?
After every meal and snack — at minimum three times per day. At night before bed, do your most thorough brushing and add fluoride rinse.
What if I eat something I shouldn't?
If a bracket breaks or wire bends, call us. A single incident will not derail treatment, but repeated broken brackets will extend your timeline. Aim for consistency, not perfection.
How do I know if my wire is bent?
A bent wire may cause uneven pressure — one side of your mouth feeling more than the other. If something feels off after eating something hard, give us a call.
Can I play a wind instrument with braces?
Yes, though there is typically a 2–3 week adjustment period. Most musicians adapt fully. Orthodontic wax on inner brackets can help during that period.
My bracket is spinning on the wire — is that an emergency?
Not an emergency, but call us within a day or two. A rotated bracket is not moving your tooth correctly and needs to be re-bonded.
Clear Aligners
What if I forget to wear my aligners for a day?
Put them back in immediately and continue as directed. One day is unlikely to cause significant issues. Consistent under-wearing over time is what slows treatment and requires extra trays.
My aligner has a rough edge cutting my cheek — what do I do?
Use a clean nail file to gently smooth the edge. If that does not resolve it, call us — we can trim and polish the tray edge in the office in a few minutes.
Do I wear aligners to my appointments?
Yes — arrive wearing your current tray. Dr. Asbita will want to see how it fits before removing them for the examination.
I dropped my tray and it cracked — now what?
Call us right away. Do not wear a cracked tray — the sharp edge can cut soft tissue. Wear your previous tray in the meantime. Keep old trays for exactly this reason.
My attachment fell off — is that urgent?
Call us within a couple of days. Attachments help aligners move teeth in specific ways. A missing one reduces effectiveness and should be replaced promptly.
Retainers
I finished treatment — do I really have to wear a retainer forever?
Yes — but the schedule becomes easy. Full-time wear in the first 3–6 months transitions to nightly wear, which most patients find completely manageable. The alternative is retreatment.
My retainer smells — how do I fix that?
Soak in a retainer cleaning solution (like Retainer Brite) for 15–20 minutes, then brush gently and rinse. Daily rinsing under cool water prevents buildup. Avoid mouthwash soaks — alcohol degrades the plastic.
Can I eat with my retainer in?
No. Always remove your retainer before eating. Chewing cracks the plastic and traps bacteria and food against your teeth.
My retainer does not fit the same as it used to — what does that mean?
Your teeth have shifted. If it goes in with mild pressure it may still be functional. If it does not fit or causes significant pain, call us — you may need a new retainer.
Appointments
What should I do if I need to reschedule?
Call as early as possible. Adjustment appointments are scheduled at specific intervals because teeth move in stages. Delaying appointments extends treatment time.
I haven't seen any change — is treatment working?
Tooth movement is gradual. Compare photos from the start of treatment to now. If genuinely concerned, bring it up at your next appointment — Dr. Asbita reviews progress at every visit.
Do I still need to see my regular dentist during treatment?
Yes, absolutely. Dental hygiene appointments every 6 months are important throughout orthodontic treatment. Professional cleanings reach areas your toothbrush cannot.
What happens when braces come off?
Your debond appointment removes brackets and polishes the adhesive off your teeth. Digital scans are taken for retainers, which are typically ready within a few days. Dr. Asbita will review your retainer schedule.
My treatment is taking longer than expected — why?
The most common reasons are missed appointments, broken brackets, or inconsistent elastic wear. If concerned, ask Dr. Asbita directly at your next visit — he will give you an honest update.
Billing & Insurance
How do I submit a claim to my insurance?
Our team handles insurance billing on your behalf. We verify your benefits before treatment begins, apply them directly to your account, and manage claims throughout treatment. Bring your insurance card to your first visit.
Can I use my FSA or HSA?
Yes. Orthodontic treatment is an eligible expense under both Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts. Keep your payment receipts and Explanation of Benefits statements for your records.
I received an Explanation of Benefits that looks wrong — what do I do?
Call our office. Orthodontic insurance EOBs can be confusing. Bring or email us the document and we will review it and contact the insurance company if there is a discrepancy.
What happens to my payment plan if treatment takes longer?
Your payment plan covers your agreed treatment — not a set number of months. If treatment extends due to factors within your control, any additional fees are discussed with you before charging.
Braces Care
How often should I brush with braces?
After every meal and snack — at minimum three times per day. At night before bed, do your most thorough brushing and add fluoride rinse.
What if I eat something I shouldn't?
If a bracket breaks or wire bends, call us. A single incident will not derail treatment, but repeated broken brackets will extend your timeline. Aim for consistency, not perfection.
How do I know if my wire is bent?
A bent wire may cause uneven pressure — one side of your mouth feeling more than the other. If something feels off after eating something hard, give us a call.
Can I play a wind instrument with braces?
Yes, though there is typically a 2–3 week adjustment period. Most musicians adapt fully. Orthodontic wax on inner brackets can help during that period.
My bracket is spinning on the wire — is that an emergency?
Not an emergency, but call us within a day or two. A rotated bracket is not moving your tooth correctly and needs to be re-bonded.
Clear Aligners
What if I forget to wear my aligners for a day?
Put them back in immediately and continue as directed. One day is unlikely to cause significant issues. Consistent under-wearing over time is what slows treatment and requires extra trays.
My aligner has a rough edge cutting my cheek — what do I do?
Use a clean nail file to gently smooth the edge. If that does not resolve it, call us — we can trim and polish the tray edge in the office in a few minutes.
Do I wear aligners to my appointments?
Yes — arrive wearing your current tray. Dr. Asbita will want to see how it fits before removing them for the examination.
I dropped my tray and it cracked — now what?
Call us right away. Do not wear a cracked tray — the sharp edge can cut soft tissue. Wear your previous tray in the meantime. Keep old trays for exactly this reason.
My attachment fell off — is that urgent?
Call us within a couple of days. Attachments help aligners move teeth in specific ways. A missing one reduces effectiveness and should be replaced promptly.
Retainers
I finished treatment — do I really have to wear a retainer forever?
Yes — but the schedule becomes easy. Full-time wear in the first 3–6 months transitions to nightly wear, which most patients find completely manageable. The alternative is retreatment.
My retainer smells — how do I fix that?
Soak in a retainer cleaning solution (like Retainer Brite) for 15–20 minutes, then brush gently and rinse. Daily rinsing under cool water prevents buildup. Avoid mouthwash soaks — alcohol degrades the plastic.
Can I eat with my retainer in?
No. Always remove your retainer before eating. Chewing cracks the plastic and traps bacteria and food against your teeth.
My retainer does not fit the same as it used to — what does that mean?
Your teeth have shifted. If it goes in with mild pressure it may still be functional. If it does not fit or causes significant pain, call us — you may need a new retainer.
Appointments
What should I do if I need to reschedule?
Call as early as possible. Adjustment appointments are scheduled at specific intervals because teeth move in stages. Delaying appointments extends treatment time.
I haven't seen any change — is treatment working?
Tooth movement is gradual. Compare photos from the start of treatment to now. If genuinely concerned, bring it up at your next appointment — Dr. Asbita reviews progress at every visit.
Do I still need to see my regular dentist during treatment?
Yes, absolutely. Dental hygiene appointments every 6 months are important throughout orthodontic treatment. Professional cleanings reach areas your toothbrush cannot.
What happens when braces come off?
Your debond appointment removes brackets and polishes the adhesive off your teeth. Digital scans are taken for retainers, which are typically ready within a few days. Dr. Asbita will review your retainer schedule.
My treatment is taking longer than expected — why?
The most common reasons are missed appointments, broken brackets, or inconsistent elastic wear. If concerned, ask Dr. Asbita directly at your next visit — he will give you an honest update.
Billing & Insurance
How do I submit a claim to my insurance?
Our team handles insurance billing on your behalf. We verify your benefits before treatment begins, apply them directly to your account, and manage claims throughout treatment. Bring your insurance card to your first visit.
Can I use my FSA or HSA?
Yes. Orthodontic treatment is an eligible expense under both Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts. Keep your payment receipts and Explanation of Benefits statements for your records.
I received an Explanation of Benefits that looks wrong — what do I do?
Call our office. Orthodontic insurance EOBs can be confusing. Bring or email us the document and we will review it and contact the insurance company if there is a discrepancy.
What happens to my payment plan if treatment takes longer?
Your payment plan covers your agreed treatment — not a set number of months. If treatment extends due to factors within your control, any additional fees are discussed with you before charging.
Still have a question?
Call our office or send us a message. We would rather answer twice than have you wonder.