Frequently Asked Questions

Pediatric dentists have undergone multiple years of specialty training beyond the typical dental school education. This training teaches them how to treat infants, young patients with special needs, and children of all ages.

Because of this precise focus, pediatric dentists are better equipped to handle behavioral difficulties, complex care needs, and other situations that a family dentist may be incapable of addressing.

It’s never too early to schedule a first visit! Even if your child is too young for an examination, they can still interact with our team and become used to the sights and sounds of the practice.

Generally, a first appointment should be scheduled when the first tooth pushes through the gum line or when your child reaches their first birthday – whichever comes first.

Yes! Baby teeth are the building blocks of a child’s smile, helping them learn how to speak clearly and chew food properly. They also hold space for permanent teeth down the line. If your son or daughter loses one or more baby teeth extremely early, be sure to let our team know.

In most cases, parents shouldn’t worry too much about thumb sucking unless it goes on for a very long time. Most children will grow out of sucking their thumb soon enough, but if they’re still regularly doing so past the age of three, we ask that you let us know.

OPD Smiles is an in-network provider with several major dental insurance plans, and we are happy to file claims on your family’s behalf and to maximize available benefits. Contact our team if you have any questions about insurance coverage.

We are happy to treat children, teenagers, parents, and even grandparents at our practice! As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, there is no age limit for orthodontic treatment

• Improved oral health: Straight teeth are much easier to keep clean, so orthodontic treatment can greatly reduce the risk of tooth decay.
• Reduced risk of injury: If your front teeth jut out more than they are supposed to, they are more susceptible to trauma.
• Treatment of TMJ pain: People with more complex misalignment like over, under, and crossbite may struggle with a jaw pain condition called TMJ dysfunction.
• Avoidance of uneven tooth wear: An uneven bite means that specific teeth receive greater amounts of pressure than others putting them at greater risk for decay, chips, and damage.
• Better sleep: People with misaligned smiles are more likely to struggle with airway blockage conditions like snoring and sleep apnea. Orthodontics can help.
• Improved digestion: Properly aligned teeth make it easier to chew and digest your food properly.

Genetics are the most likely culprit. Other possible factors include the premature loss of baby teeth, chronic thumb/finger sucking, the presence of serious dental disease, or traumatic dental injuries.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children first visit an orthodontist at the age of seven. The earlier we discover orthodontic problems, the easier it will be to correct them.

Not at all! Orthodontic treatment can be successful at nearly any age. Plus, with aesthetic options like Invisalign® clear aligners and clear/ceramic braces available, it’s easier than ever to maintain a professional, mature appearance throughout the process.

Every case is different, but most patients can expect to spend one to three years in orthodontic treatment. During your free consultation, we can give you a specific timeline for your custom treatment plan.

Absolutely! We also offer aesthetic clear braces and barely there Invisalign® clear aligners for our image-conscious patients.

Every case is different, and your treatment costs will depend on your age and the severity of your dental misalignment. However, Invisalign^® typically costs about the same as traditional braces in Allen.

Your insurance will likely cover at least the partial cost of treatment, although it’s up to your individual policy to determine the exact percentage. We’ll work with you and your insurance plan to maximize your benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket costs.

Yes! Invisalign^® clear aligners can be used to treat all sorts of dental misalignments from simple to complex. Many patients who formerly had braces choose Invisalign^® treatment as a way to discreetly restraighten their teeth.

It depends on your individual case. Please let us know about any previous dental work you have had done, including crowns and veneers. We won’t know if Invisalign^® treatment will be possible for you until we evaluate your smile at your free consultation.

Invisalign^® clear aligners are designed to move a small portion of your smile at a time. Because dental bridges string several teeth together, Invisalign^® treatment may not be effective. Still, it’s best to schedule a consultation with us to determine what your options are.

No, Invisalign^® treatment isn’t painful. You may feel some pressure and slight discomfort when switching to a new set of aligners, but this will be temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

If you experience discomfort that lasts more than a few days, please call us right away so that we can determine whether something is wrong.

The cost of braces will depend on several different factors, such as the complexity of the problems at hand and the proposed length of treatment. Our team will go over all of this information with you in clear terms before any actual care begins.

We are in-network with several major dental insurance plans and also have financing options to make your or your loved one’s orthodontic treatment reasonably affordable.

Every patient’s treatment is unique. In most cases, full treatment with braces takes between 18 to 36 months. During your free consultation, we’ll review your case and give you an accurate estimate of the time it will take to complete your custom treatment.

Yes. Every orthodontic treatment requires a retainer. That’s because your teeth will want to shift back to their pretreatment positions if you don’t wear one! We want you to enjoy your beautiful new smile for life, and a retainer helps you keep your stunning results.

In most cases, you’ll start by wearing the retainer all day. Then, you’ll switch to night-time only use. We will continue to decrease the amount of time you’ll need to spend wearing the retainer as your teeth become more solidly fused into their new positions.

No, this is not possible. In fact, many people choose to wear their retainer overnight for the rest of their lives after treatment.