Orthodontic FAQs

Answers to Common Orthodontic Questions

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Informed Orthodontic Care

There's No Such Thing As A Bad Question!

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At Southside Orthodontics, we believe healthcare doesn’t have to be confusing. In fact, we make it a priority to equip each of our patients with the tools and information they need to make informed decisions about their orthodontic care.

During your initial consultation and for the rest of your time with us, we make time to talk you through your orthodontic treatment and answer any questions that you may have. We know that there is a lot of new information to take in, and we want to be as helpful as possible.

That is why we list the most common orthodontic questions we receive from new patients. Of course, if your question isn’t answered here, we’re happy to answer any questions that we can over the phone or your next visit.

Common Orthodontic Questions

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, most children have lost most of their primary (baby) teeth and several of their permanent teeth have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate their orthodontic condition.
Treatment time depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic case. As a general rule, treatment times range from 12-30 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 22 months.
Technology has drastically improved the comfort level of braces. Some patients feel no discomfort at all, while others feel slightly uncomfortable for the first few days after placement or an adjustment. Using an over-the-counter medication for pain relief will help during this time.
No patient is “too old” for braces! In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. The health, happiness, and self-esteem that a beautiful smile can bring are vitally important to adults and children alike. We proudly care for patients of all ages!
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return, so we ask that parents check-in with their patient manager before dropping off their child.
Advances in orthodontic technology and procedures have made removing teeth increasingly unnecessary for orthodontic treatment. However, removing teeth is sometimes still required to achieve the best orthodontic result. We promise to help you achieve your best smile as comfortably and efficiently as possible.
"All of the staff are very kind and polite. I have had to deal with them for many years now and have no real complaints. I’m very happy with how my teeth turned out!"
- Sarah
"Dr. Shell is so personable and professional and the staff is friendly and well-trained. I appreciate his expertise and willingness to do what was needed. Thank you so much for helping me! It has made all the difference in the world!"
 - Michele
"Southside Orthodontics has friendly and professional staff. My daughter got her braces done here and I'll keep coming with my other daughter."
 - Ney
"Dr. Shell is truly an expert, who takes his time in order to achieve perfection, that’s rare to see nowadays. This is the reason why I kept coming back for appointments to this office even after I moved to Washington DC."
 - M.J.
"If you're looking for an attentive, caring Orthodontist, with friendly, professional staff, and a pleasant and clean atmosphere, choose Southside Orthodontics."
 - Debra

Mon - Thurs: 8:30am - 5pm
Fri: 8am - 1pm

Phone: (804) 526-1241
Toll-Free: 1-877-526-1242

Main Office
250 East Ellerslie Ave.
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
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604 N. Thomas Street
South Hill, VA 23970
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601 N. Main Street
Emporia, VA 23847
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Emporia - Belfield Drive
510 Belfield Drive
Emporia, VA 23847
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Southside Orthodontics in Colonial Heights, VA. Not only are we Colonial Heights, VA orthodontists, but we also serve Fort Lee, Windsor Hills, Hopewell, Petersburg, West Petersburg, Chester, Chesterfield, Addison, New Bohemia, & Prince George. The contents of southsideorthodontics.com are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Copying without permission is strictly forbidden.

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