Clarity & Answers

No. While a beautiful smile is the most obvious result, the medical benefits are equally critical.

Crooked and crowded teeth are difficult to clean, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and eventually tooth loss. Furthermore, a misaligned bite causes abnormal wear on tooth surfaces and excessive stress on the jaw joints (TMJ), often leading to chronic headaches or face pain. We view orthodontics as preventative healthcare for your long-term oral function.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial screening by age 7. At this age, most children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, allowing us to spot potential issues like crossbites, crowding, or jaw growth discrepancies.

Note: Seeing us at age 7 does not mean getting braces at age 7. Most children enter our Monstagrin Growth Guidance program, where we monitor them for free until they are ready for treatment.

It comes down to physics. Braces are a combination of two main components:

• Brackets: These are the "handles" we bond to your teeth.
• Archwires: This is the "engine." The wire connects the brackets and provides the gentle, continuous force that steers the teeth.

The interaction between the bracket and the wire gives Dr. Updike three-dimensional control over every tooth. In some cases, we add auxiliary forces (like rubber bands or expanders) to correct the underlying jaw alignment.

Every smile is unique, but the average comprehensive case in our office takes between 18 and 24 months. The timeline depends on three factors: the complexity of the problem, the biological response of your tissues, and patient cooperation (wearing elastics, avoiding broken brackets).

We will give you a specific timeline estimate during your complimentary consultation.

Modern orthodontics is far more comfortable than in the past. We use heat-activated NiTi wires that apply light, continuous pressure.

You can expect some soreness within 24 to 48 hours after an adjustment. This is actually a good sign—it means the bone is remodeling. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a soft diet are usually all that is needed to manage this brief window.

Yes, but the effectiveness depends on the doctor, not the plastic. Dr. Updike is a Diamond Plus provider who uses Invisalign to treat complex bite issues, including open bites and deep bites, that were once thought to require surgery.

For the physics to work, aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours per day. They should only be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing. If you wear them less, the teeth will not track, and treatment will take longer.

We accept most PPO insurance plans that include an orthodontic benefit. Common carriers include Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, and Guardian.

We will verify your specific coverage before you start and handle all the billing paperwork for you.

Most patients experience two main stages:

1. Active Corrective Stage: This is when you are wearing braces or aligners. We act as the architects, moving teeth and aligning jaws.
2. Retention Stage: This begins the day the braces come off. Retention is for life. Using our GrinGuard program, we ensure your smile stays perfect.

Some younger children may require a "Two-Phase" approach, where we intervene early (Phase 1) to correct skeletal issues, take a break, and then finish alignment (Phase 2) once all adult teeth arrive.