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Joseph Bou-Serhal, DCD - MS |
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Tel: 961-1-201-414 |
Frequently Asked Questions |
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Does it hurt? What services does the Professor Bou Serhal offer? Why should I select Professor Bou Serhal? What can I expect during my first appointment? What do I need in order to begin treatment? How can I ensure that my treatment is successful? Can I select one orthodontist or do I see the whole group? What do I do in the case of an orthodontic emergency? How do my specific appliances work? How often do I need to wear my retainer(s)? Can wisdom teeth cause future crowding of my teeth? How will I know when my treatment is completed?
Are there any foods I should avoid while wearing braces? Does it hurt?Although modern procedures all but eliminate pain, some people still avoid going to the dentist because "it hurts". Orthodontics is a little different. Often no teeth need to be removed. Appliances are installed and adjusted at regular intervals. With modern technology we also need to see patients far less frequently. Braces are no longer as painful to wear as in the past and we take extra care to be gentle. In fact the majority of patients almost forget they're even wearing them.Am I too old for braces?Many people think of orthodontics as "kid stuff", but this is not true. An increasing number of our patients are adults who, for a variety of medical and aesthetic reasons, are choosing treatment to improve their appearance, health, or both. Modern appliances (braces) can in many cases all but eliminate the "tinsel teeth" appearance that accompanied orthodontic treatment in the past.What services does the Professor Bou Serhal offer?To provide a wide range of choices to our patients, the braces we offer include:
We also offer treatment for Temporomandibular Joint disfunction (TMJ) and combined interdisciplinary treatment of Cranio-Facial anomalies. Why should I select Professor Bou Serhal?By selecting Professor Bou Serhal for your treatment, you will have chosen a team of orthodontists who take great pride in the personal, individual care we give to each patient. Our doctors call on their decades of combined experience (more than 100 years) with clinical treatment, research and educational expertise to provide the best treatment for your care.In addition, we believe our staff is one of the most knowledgeable, dedicated orthodontic staffs in the country with wide expertise in areas such as scheduling, assisting, patient management, insurance and finance. Our clinical staff members are Certified Orthodontic Assistants (C.O.A.) or eligible for certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (D.A.N.B.). We are proud to have such a skilled team both serve our patients and work with our doctors. Many of our loyal employees have worked with us for decades. We hope you will appreciate their efforts as much as we do. How much does it cost?Orthodontic fees have risen at a rate significantly lower than the rise in other health care costs. Fees vary depending upon the severity of the problem and the length and method of treatment. We will determine and discuss fees with you on an individual and private basis. We offer many payment choices for our patients and will help you select as comfortable a plan as possible for you and your family. Some dental insurance plans also featurWhat can I expect during my first appointment?Your initial examination is free. However, if you have orthodontic insurance please bring a completed and signed insurance form with you to your first appointment (you must ask your employer for an insurance form). Please visit the Forms page of this website, where you can download other appropriate forms and fill them out before your first appointment.During the first appointment, you or your child will be thoroughly examined by one of our orthodontists to evaluate your bite. If treatment is indicated, a complete set of diagnostic records will be recommended (at a fee of $190, which is due at the time the records are taken). The doctor and staff will then help you determine a treatment fee, if indicated, and explain fee arrangements and how to proceed from that point. Diagnostic records include:
What do I need in order to begin treatment?Once diagnostic records have been collected, they are evaluated by our orthodontic team. The diagnosis and recommended treatment will be explained in a meeting ("consultation") with you. Procedures and costs will be refined at this meeting. To proceed with clinical treatment you must make at least a down payment.How can I ensure that my treatment is successful?Of course, successful treatment requires more than the orthodontist's skill. It requires cooperation among the patient, parent (in the case of child treatment) and orthodontist. Certain phases of treatment are impossible unless the patient diligently follows instructions, such as wearing elastics or other appliances. Frequent brushing and flossing are also critical. Improper oral hygiene may cause damage to the teeth and supporting structures (gums, lips, etc.). Breaking appointments will lengthen treatment time and possibly affect the results. We will schedule a progress report with both patient and/or responsible adult to discuss any patient cooperation issues.Can I select one orthodontist or do I see the whole group?Having multiple doctors allows us to offer more flexible scheduling to our patients. However, some patients prefer to see the same doctor for each appointment during treatment. If you have a preference, please let us know and we will of course try our best to accommodate your needs. Our group practice allows us to provide continuous care to our patients in case of staff illness or disability.What do I do in the case of an orthodontic emergency?Please call our office for instructions, we are on call 24 hours a day. Most orthodontic emergencies can be handled over the phone. However, if needed we will see you at our office. Our first goal is to make each emergency patient comfortable. You may need to schedule another appointment to complete an emergency repair (e.g., broken braces/wire).How do my specific appliances work?Refer to Types of Braces and Appliances.
After active treatment has ended, we encourage our patients to wear their retainers every single night for as long as possible (forever is great!!!). Those patients who don't wear their retainers may find they need additional orthodontic treatment in the future because their teeth may shift and alter the smile we worked so hard to achieve. If Post-Retention patients notice changes in their bite, they should call us immediately and we will give them instructions on how to
proceed.
A careful patient can eat a nutritionally balanced diet and cause no harm to his or her braces. The foods listed below are those we have found to be the most common causes of loose bands and brackets and other broken appliances.
Please avoid eating or even chewing on the following items:
Brush your teeth immediately after eating very sweet food or drinking sweet liquid. If your cannot brush your teeth, rinse your mouth out with water. Although sweets may not damage your appliances, brushing is an important part of good oral hygiene. And good oral hygiene is an important part of your treatment.
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