Orthodontic FAQs

Have questions about braces? We've got the answers!

We hear a lot of questions about orthodontic treatment, and some of them come up more often than others. If you can't find the answers to your braces or Invisalign® questions here, please feel free to give us a call. We're always here to help!

How much do braces cost?

Paying for braces treatment can vary widely, and it depends on a few key factors: the type of braces you choose, the specific orthodontic problems you need to address, and how long your treatment will last. At your free initial exam, you will be provided with a treatment estimate and we can answer all of your other braces questions.

How much does Invisalign cost?

The cost of Invisalign varies depending on what issues need to be corrected and how long the treatment takes. At your free initial exam, you will be provided with a comprehensive treatment estimate.

How long do braces take?

Braces can take anywhere between six months to two years depending on the orthodontic issues being corrected and if the patient does everything they can to keep the treatment on track. However, the average treatment time for kids and adults with braces is 12 to 18 months.

How long does Invisalign take?

Similar to braces, the treatment length for Invisalign varies based on how many issues are being fixed and how severe they are. Invisalign Express can take about three months to correct a crooked tooth or two, and Invisalign Full and Invisalign Teen can take up to 18 months. Not wearing aligners the recommended length of time per day can make treatment take longer.

What is a good age to get braces?

Tweens and teens are the most common braces patients, but you can get braces at any age. More and more adults are improving the health of their smiles with braces well into their 50s. We recommend that children be seen by an orthodontist by age 7 to determine if early orthodontic treatment could reduce the amount of treatment they’ll need after all of their adult teeth come in. For answers to your other braces questions, feel free to schedule a free initial exam!

Do braces hurt?

Braces aren’t the torture devices people often make them out to be. Most patients experience some discomfort for a few days when they first get their braces and occasionally after adjustments. In fact, if you are experiencing pain that can’t be relieved with orthodontic wax, over-the-counter pain medication, or a cold compress, you should let your orthodontist know, because that is unusual.

Are braces or Invisalign better?

Our orthodontists in Ocoee FL love braces and Invisalign for different reasons. Braces are great for people who have tougher issues to fix and don’t want to think about putting their treatment in their mouths each day. Invisalign is perfect for patients who don’t want to deal with food restrictions and will be diligent about wearing their aligners even when it’s tempting to leave them at home.

What will my braces look like?

Metal braces from Fravel Brewer Orthodontics are silver and small in size. They do not require rubber bands around each bracket, resulting in a cleaner look. You can, however, choose any color you want to go around each bracket if you wish. Whether it’s your school colors or your favorite sports team, we have them all!

Ceramic (clear) braces are the first choice for our adult patients and some of our younger patients who are active in modeling and the movies, or just like the look of the clear braces. This option provides an almost invisible way to achieve that beautiful smile while maintaining a professional image.

What is Invisalign?

Removable braces in the form of clear aligners have grown in popularity over the last 20 years.  We use Invisalign's patented SmartTrack technology, since we believe it to be the best in the industry at providing a comfortable patient experience with superior results. These aligners are virtually invisible when worn.

Will I have to wear rubber bands (elastics)?

While everyone's teeth are different, a lot of patients will wear these elastics at some time in their treatment. Whether you need them to close space or to correct your bite, wearing them as instructed by your orthodontist is important. Poor elastic wear can lead to extended treatment time, which no one wants.

What sterilization techniques are used?

You can rest assured that our office follows strict, up-to-date OSHA sterilization guidelines. We frequently attend continuing education seminars on sterilization. Our entire staff is educated and informed on any changes and additions needed to stay current with sterilization procedures. Please feel free to ask any questions or share your concerns with our office.

Can I still play sports and musical instruments with my braces?

When playing contact sports, we recommend wearing a mouth guard. Be sure to ask at your next appointment about having one fitted. As far as playing musical instruments, there are no restrictions, but it may take a couple weeks to adjust to playing a wind instrument with braces.

Invisalign aligners are a great alternative to conventional braces for active athletes and musicians. These aligners prevent soft tissue injuries compared with braces and can actually act like a mouth guard when worn.

Are there certain foods I can't eat?

Your braces are very strong, but they are not indestructible. You should take special care not to eat the wrong foods during orthodontic treatment. We will provide you with a list of foods to avoid. The list consists mainly of foods that are hard, sharp, sticky and crunchy. Foods such as popcorn, nuts, hard chips, raw carrots, caramel and other chewy candies will loosen your braces. Continuous breakage will result in extended treatment time, so be selective about the foods you eat.

Our Invisalign patients have no food restrictions, since the aligners can be removed during eating.