Nope! Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, but many other patients take the initiative to schedule a consultation themselves. Call us to schedule your complimentary consultation.
For the same reason you would go to a cardiologist for a heart problem. Because a specialist is the best doctor for the job they were trained for. And an orthodontist’s job is simply and solely to make your smile dazzle! Straightening teeth is an art form and should not be thought of as a “simple” job that you allow shady companies to try to do… Both the teeth and facial structures are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Sethi attended an orthodontic residency for an extra 3 years just to have extensive and specialized clinical training even after dental school in straightening the teeth and aligning the jaws. This additional training and experience enables orthodontists to provide their patients with holistic care that covers orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
Dr. Sethi will complete a thorough examination and evaluate whether an orthodontic problem even exists. Many times he does not even recommend any treatment as his treatment philosophy is very conservative. If necessary, we may recommend a complimentary panoramic x-ray to further evaluate your dental development. We will discuss treatment options, the length of time required for treatment and the cost of proceeding (including insurance benefits and payment plan options). You will leave the appointment at ease, with all of your questions addressed.
Because you should love your smile and smile a lot. Evidence supports that a straight, beautiful smile improves your confidence and self-esteem. Orthodontic treatment can eliminate malocclusions (“a bad bite”) and the wide variety of problems that malocclusions can cause. Malocclusions may affect the way you smile, chew, clean your teeth, and even how you feel about your teeth. Without treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) reports that orthodontic problems can lead to tooth decay, gum (periodontal) disease, bone loss, speech impairment, chewing and digestive disorders, unnecessary tooth loss and other associated dental injuries. By addressing an issue early, orthodontics can prevent unwanted skeletal changes and complex treatments.
Aligners are removable clear plastic trays that help to shape perfect smiles without wires and brackets. We are Elite Preferred Providers so that means we have extensive experience and expertise in treating complex cases and can tell you whether you’re a candidate for Clear Aligners during your complimentary consultation, as not all bites are fixable with plastic trays.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your child’s bite. At this young age, very few kids actually need some kind of minimal treatment. If they do require it, we will explain why and help you make a decision you are happy with. We strongly believe in prevention of a problem, rather than waiting for it to become a bigger issue, as addressing orthodontic problems early can make for easier and faster treatment. Many times, early treatment can achieve results that would be unattainable once the face and jaws have completed growth — early intervention can save patients from a more prolonged and complex treatment process later in life!! If a young patient is not ready for treatment, we will continue to monitor the patient’s dental health to determine if treatment is necessary at a future age.
Our job is to teach you so that we can help you make a decision for your child that you are happy with.
No. If your teeth are crowded now, in the future there will not be space that will randomly become available to allow those teeth to straighten out. After a person’s permanent molars erupt (age 6-7), the space available for front teeth generally decreases with age. Conversely, if you have spaces now, there is a high chance that it will worsen and increase over time.
Phase One treatment is only recommended if necessary for children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment generally lasts about 6 to 18 months, depending on what we are trying to achieve. The primary objective of Phase One treatment is to address significant problems and prevent them from becoming more severe issues down the line, and as always to improve self-esteem and self-image during these formative years for a child.
No patient is “too old” for orthodontics! About 30% of orthodontic patients are adults. We offer a number of esthetic options, including Invisalign Clear Aligners, Clear braces, and light gold or champagne-colored braces that are premium and look beautiful!
We have patients in our office from 6 years old to patients in their 80s!!
Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are goals of orthodontics. Because our office utilizes the most advanced technology in orthodontics, removing teeth is often not necessary for treatment. However, there are always a few exceptions and, in some cases, we may recommend removing a tooth in order to achieve an ideal bite and perfect smile. Dr. Sethi is very conservative and will discuss all options with you and at the end it is a decision that is made together.
Every treatment is different because every smile is different! For this reason, treatment times vary. We make sure that each office visit is efficient and effective so that your treatment can be completed in a timely manner. We will provide an estimated length of treatment during your complimentary consultation. We also offer the latest 3D digital x-rays and scanning technology that allows your treatment to be the fastest, smoothest possible one.
We schedule appointments according to each patient’s individual needs. Most patients in treatment will have an appointment every 4-8 weeks.
That’s the million dollar question (luckily a million dollar smile does not cost a million dollars!). It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. Our fees are based on the severity of your case and the length and complexity of the treatment. We will discuss the exact cost and financial options during the initial consultation.
Rest assured, we work with you to find an affordable payment plan and our staff is great at helping you maximize the benefits from your insurance plan or use your FSA/HSA flexible savings accounts. We offer no-interest financing plans and work within your budget.
Cost should not be a reason you cannot have straight teeth for the rest of your life.
Generally, braces or Invisalign Clear Aligners do not “hurt.” After certain visits, teeth may feel “sore” for a few days similar to the way your arms may become sore after a workout. In rare situations, OTC pain medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen will be recommended to ease the discomfort.
However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all!!
Of course! We recommend wearing a mouthguard for all contact sports. Just ask us for one!
We’ve got you covered!! Our office provides full-time emergency coverage. If your braces are causing discomfort or if something breaks, simply call our office and someone will be available to assist you. In most cases, we can address an issue over the telephone. If an emergency appointment is required, we will set aside time for you.
Yes, and it’s important that you have one! We provide our patients with customized retainers after their active orthodontic treatment is complete. Like all parts of the body, teeth are constantly changing and adapting over time — even if you never have braces your teeth will shift over time!! Regular wear of the retainers will keep your teeth from shifting. We strongly believe that the “retention” part of your treatment is just as important as the “active” part of your treatment.
Our practice proudly serves the following communities: Abington, Ambler, Ardsley, Blue Bell, Bryn Athyn, Chalfont, Cheltenham, Chestnut Hill, Dresher, Elkins Park, Flourtown, Fort Washington, Glenside, Gwynedd, Gwynedd Valley, Hatboro, Horsham, Huntingdon Valley, Jenkintown, Lafayette Hill, Lansdale, Lower Gwynedd, Lower Merion, Lower Moreland, Maple Glen, Meadowbrook, Montgomeryville, Mt. Airy, Oreland, Philadelphia, Rockledge, Roslyn, Rydal, Southampton, Upper Dublin, Upper Gwynedd, Upper Moreland, Warminster, Willow Grove, Wyncote, Wendmoor, and other locations in Montgomery County, Bucks County and Philadelphia County.