Samuel Daniels, D.D.S., M.S., P.L.L.C.  

First Visit

At Dr. Daniels office we want to make your smile the best it can be!  We believe that orthodontics is not only about straightening our patients’ teeth, but also about making a difference in their lives. 

At your first visit, called a new patient exam, Dr. Daniels will do a comprehensive oral exam and talk about diagnosis and treatment options.  If necessary, we will take an x-ray at no charge and gladly send it to your dentist. 

You will also meet our new patient coordinator who will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.  We are very committed to our patients and their families. 

Afterward, you will be provided with an examination summary outlining diagnosis, treatment options, when we recommend beginning treatment, and our fees.  A copy of this summary will be sent to your family dentist.  Working in close contact with your dentist is important to our office so we can achieve the best results possible. 

After the appointment, Dr. Daniels will suggest either making an appointment to start treatment or revisiting us at a later date. 

We look forward to your first visit to our office!

Please fill this health history form out and bring with you to your appointment.

Emergencies

An orthodontic emergency is when you are experiencing pain due to your orthodontic treatment.  Call our office as soon as possible if you are in pain.  Please do not come directly to our office without an appointment.  By calling ahead we can set aside time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, please call us and let us know ahead of time so we can lengthen your appointment accordingly.

Types of Emergencies:

1. Poking wires: You can try to cover the end of the wire with the wax we provide for you.  If this does not help the wires can be easily trimmed or repositioned at the office to make you comfortable.

2. Broken or loose appliances, wires, bands, or brackets: Sometimes this situation can be taken care of at home.  Most times we will set up an appointment within the next couple of days.  It is important to regulary check your braces for broken/loose areas.  Usually, this situation is more of a nuisance than painful.
 

3. Sore teeth: Cold things like ice cream, popsicles, and even cold water will help.  In some cases, the over-the-counter medications you take for a headache may ease your discomfort.  Remember this is normal right after bonding, adjustments, or turning your expander.

4. Lost separators: This is not necessarily an emergency.  Please come in to your next appointment about 15 minutes early and we can take care of this for you.

Diagram of Braces (compliments of the AAO)

A. Ligature (can either be an elastics or twisted wire)

B. Archwire

C. Brackets

D. Metal Band

E. Elastic Hooks (hold rubber bands in place)

FAQs

Will braces fit your lifestyle?

You will be pleased to learn that braces will work with your current lifestyle.  You can do anything with braces!  No matter what type of braces you wear, the vast majority of patients adapt quickly.  A healthy, beautiful smile can improve self-esteem, no matter what age.  The improved confidence and self-esteem you will receive with a beautiful, healthy smile makes hard work worth the effort. 

Does my family dentist need to give me a referral before scheduling an appointment?

No. Many patients are referred by their family dentist, but other patients make the decision themselves to set up an appointment.

What is the recommended age to schedule an orthodontic exam for a child?

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. By this time (in most children) several permanent teeth have erupted.  Dr. Daniels can then evaluate for possible orthodontic treatment.

What happens at the first visit?

At your first visit, called a new patient exam, Dr. Daniels will do a comprehensive oral exam and talk about diagnosis and treatment options.  We will also be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have (see left).

How do I schedule an appointment?

Just call our office at (810) 229-2776 or (517) 548-4113! We will be happy to schedule an appointment that works with your schedule.  On the phone we will gather some basic information from you so we can give you the most comprehensive exam.

Can I still play sports during orthodontic treatment?

Yes, of course!  Dr. Daniels, however, recommends that you wear a mouthguard for all sports to protect your beautiful smile.

Do I still need to see my dentist while I wear braces?

Definitely!  We stress regular checkups with your family dentist while in treatment every 4-6 months.  Your oral hygiene is very important!

Are there foods I can’t eat while I wear braces?

Yes. Emergency appointments can be kept to a minimum by avoiding hard, sticky, or highly sugared foods.  We will review these foods with you thoroughly when you start treament in our office.

What is an emergency and what should I do if I have one?

An orthodontic emergency is when your braces or some other appliance is causing you serious pain.  You should call our office as soon as possible. We will let you know if the problem can be handled at home or if you need schedule an appointment (see left)

How much will it hurt?

Your mouth may feel tender after some appointments.  Cold things like ice cream, popsicles, and even cold water will help.  In some cases, the over-the-counter medication you take for a headache may ease your discomfort.  Remember you will never need to have an injection or be sedated for orthodontics.

How much will it cost?

Orthodontic treatment is more affordable than ever. We have a variety of payment options available to cater to patients' needs.  Cost will depend on many factors including the severity of a patient’s problem, the complexity, and the length of treatment. 

What is Phase I (early/interceptive) treatment?

Early treatment happens usually between the ages of 7-10 and lasts between 6–12 months depending on the patient.  The main goal of this type of treatment is to first concentrate on any larger orthodontic problems so later when more teeth erupt and the patient is older, the problem and treatment time is reduced. 

Will my child need Phase II if they had Phase I treatment?

It is best to assume that your child will need Phase II treatment after Phase I treatment as many bite conditions cannot be addressed until all the permanent teeth have erupted. You will be kept well informed of future treatment recommendations. 

After Phase I treatment has been completed, your child will be given retainers while we wait for his or her remaining permanent teeth to erupt. During this time, Dr. Daniels will closely monitor your child’s growth and development. 

I am an adult. Is it too late for me to get braces?

Today, more adults than ever are getting braces.  A growing percentage of our patients are in adult treatment.  A healthy beautiful smile can improve self-esteem regardless of age!

How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled with varying time between visits depending on each patient’s individual needs.  In many cases Dr. Daniels sees his patients once every 5-7 weeks. 

Can I schedule all of my appointments after school hours?

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments after school.  In general, we do longer appointments during the morning or early afternoon and shorter appointments in the afternoon.  We do our very best to accommodate our patients needs.  

How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?

Patients should brush their teeth more often with their orthodontic appliances on.  Dr. Daniels recommends patients brush their teeth at least 4 times a day - after each meal and right before going to bed. We show each patient how to brush and floss with their appliances on.  Good oral hygiene is very important!

Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?

Dr. Daniels, an orthodontic specialist, has had expert training beyond his dental degree. Treatment must be personalized, appropriated and done correctly in orthodontics.  During orthodontic treatment entire facial structures are permanently changed - straightening teeth is not the only goal so you want to make sure you have the very best!