Orthodontic FAQs

Patients who need orthodontic treatment generally have one to three years of active treatment.

This can be determined through a free consultation at our Austin or Bee Cave office.

The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on many factors, including the severity of the problem, how complex the problem is, and how long treatment lasts.

Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour will be glad to discuss the cost of treatment and your financing options with you before treatment begins.

The good news is that braces are more affordable today than ever. Our staff also works with insurance companies and offers payment plans that meet your family’s budget.

Finding an orthodontist in Austin or Bee Cave who can help you achieve your smile dreams is important.

Orthodontists like Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities.

This means our doctors at Luv Braces are more qualified to give you the smile of your dreams than you could get from aligners from a website.

They received an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the right way to align and straighten your teeth.

Only those with this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists like Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour can become members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour from Luv Braces have achieved this specialization and remain active members AAO.

Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour are even both board-certified, which means they have undergone additional examination to demonstrate their ability to successfully treat even the most complicated cases in the Austin and Bee Cave areas.

The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour recommends an orthodontic screening at age seven. By this age, most Austin and Bee Cave children have several permanent teeth that have erupted, letting us evaluate their orthodontic needs.

By this age, Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour can spot subtle jaw growth problems and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.

That’s important because some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if the Luv Braces team finds them early.

Most orthodontic patients at our Austin and Bee Cave offices begin active braces treatment between ages 9 and 14.

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at almost any age. In fact, about one in every four orthodontic patients today is over age 18.

Thanks to today’s smaller, less visible and more comfortable orthodontic appliances (including metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign), adults find treatment appealing.

Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems.

Other oral problems are caused by thumb- or finger-sucking, dental disease, accidents, the early or late loss of baby teeth, or other causes.

Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain.

A bad bite can wear down teeth, make it hard to chew and talk and create stress on supporting bone and gum tissue.

Without treatment, many problems become worse and can require additional dental care later in life.

Orthodontic treatment is a partnership between the doctor and patient.

Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour provide custom-made fixed or removable appliances that use gentle pressure to move teeth into their proper positions.

Your job is to follow your orthodontist’s instructions, keep scheduled orthodontic appointments, and maintain excellent oral hygiene to get the best results.

You will also need to see your general dentist as recommended to continue your general dental care.

If you notice an unwanted change in your smile or bite, contact Luv Braces for a free consultation.

You might need an orthodontic tune-up from Dr. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapour to regain proper tooth alignment.

Not necessarily. Research suggests that wisdom teeth don’t always cause teeth to shift.

In most cases, wisdom teeth are removed for general dental health reasons rather than for orthodontic health.

Your family dentist, Dr. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapour can help determine whether or not your wisdom teeth need to be removed.

Dr. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapour will recommend how long to continue wearing your retainers, whether they are removable (the kind you put in and take out) or fixed (bonded behind your teeth).

Wearing your retainers as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after your orthodontic treatment.

Your teeth are more likely to remain where Dr. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapur placed them through braces treatment by wearing your retainers.

The good news is that we can 3D print retainers for you! Your bite is recorded on our computers and if you ever need a retainer again, we’re just a call away.

The small changes that happen after braces are removed are due to settling in as you use your teeth for biting and chewing.

Genetics or later than normal growth can be responsible for more serious and unwanted changes, and this process is unpredictable.

Your lower front teeth are more likely to move. This is particularly true if the teeth were extremely crowded before treatment. Changes in tooth position are a lifelong and naturally occurring phenomenon.

The best way to keep your teeth from shifting is to wear your retainers as prescribed. If you notice movement after your braces are removed, please contact Luv Braces.

The fact is that throughout your lifetime, even though you have had orthodontic treatment, you can expect changes in tooth position.

Many factors at work may cause teeth to shift. Such changes are different for everyone, and most of the time, they are hardly noticeable.

However, on occasion, changes can occur that are disappointing to both the patient, Dr. Tahbaz, and Dr. Rezapour. Changes in tooth position are not a failure of your orthodontic treatment.

They are a natural process. We expect changes in our bodies as we grow older, and teeth are no exception.

To help control and limit these changes, retainers are prescribed after your braces are removed.

No. Retainers will stabilize and preserve the alignment of your teeth and jaws that Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour achieved with your orthodontic treatment.

Many people wear removable retainers nightly for the rest of their lives. Dr. Tahbaz and Dr. Rezapour will give you guidance about your long-term retainer use.

Don’t forget that we will create retainers at any time using our 3D printer.