Common Questions

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other  patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

Consultations are complimentary and provide very useful information.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age  7. By this age, most children have had several permanent teeth that have erupted, allowing us to  effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.   Consultations are complimentary.

No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow.  In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth  decreases with age.

If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our  office ( 949-493-3993), send us an e-mail ( contact@msdmd.com), or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be  happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment,  our front office staff will request some basic information from you.

Consultations and second opinions are complimentary.

Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and doctor who will  acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We will take the necessary  photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. The doctor will then  complete and  thorough exam.

There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:

 · Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it.

 · What must be done to correct the problem?

 · Will any teeth need to be removed?

 · How long will the treatment take to complete?

 · How much will the treatment cost?

New  technology and early intervention has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, where removing teeth is not always  necessary for orthodontic treatment.   Dr. Sayed believes in early treatment and guiding natural growth and development in order to avoid any surgery or extensive long term braces.

Our office strives for non-extraction orthodontic care in all but the most extreme cases, so that our patients can achieve a beautiful, full smile with all of their natural teeth.

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic issue. In  general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The “average” time frame for which a person  is in braces is approximately 22 months.

It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will  cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with  you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and  file your claims.

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces  will be seen every 5 to 10 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more  frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Most appointments can be scheduled after school.   Longer appointments need to be scheduled in the morning.   Adjustment appointments are scheduled 4 to 8 weeks apart.

Yes. We understand your busy schedule and are happy to help you make the most of  your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return,  so we ask that parents check in with their patient manager before dropping off their child.

Generally, braces do not “hurt.” After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In  these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort.  However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our  patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”

Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.

No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces in order  to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.

Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.

Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while you are in braces. Your  family dentist will determine the intervals between your cleaning appointments.

Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete set of instructions and provide a  comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw  vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency  appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day – after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces and may also  provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.

If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our  office ( 949-493-3993). In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone, however if you require an  emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention.  However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient’s growth  and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.

Phase One Treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7  and 10. Phase One Treatment lasts about 12-21 months. The primary objective for Phase  One Treatment is to address significant problems in order to prevent them from becoming more  severe. Another aim of this type of treatment is to improve self-esteem and self-image.

It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One Treatment.  The period following Phase One Treatment is called the “resting period,” during which  growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and  patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.

We will determine whether a patient will  need an expander at  the completion of the initial examination.

A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic  patients are adults. Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No  patient is “too old” to wear braces!

Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth  are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic  treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed.  Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to  provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.