Orthodontic FAQs

Q: What questions should I ask an orthodontist in Bend before getting braces?
A: Start with two: “Do I really need this right now?” and “Will the same doctor see me through to the end?” At Rosenzweig Orthodontics, the answer to the second one is always yes, because Dr. Rosenzweig is the only orthodontist here and has treated patients in Bend since 2003. After that, ask how long it will take, what it will cost, and what happens when the braces come off. Here’s the thing: a good orthodontist answers all of these plainly, even when the honest answer is “not yet.”

Q: How often should I brush and floss with braces?
A: Brush after every meal and before bed, and floss at least once a day. Food gets trapped around brackets fast, so keep up your regular dental cleanings every six months during treatment, too.

Q: How long does orthodontic treatment usually take?
A: Most full cases take about one to two and a half years, and surgical or other complex bites can run longer. Dr. Rosenzweig gives you an honest estimate up front, and patients say he sticks to it, like the parent who said he guessed two years “and he was right.” You’ll come in about every 6 to 10 weeks, and he makes every adjustment himself. When your teeth are done, a retainer keeps them where he put them.

Q: Should I get braces or clear aligners?
A: Braces are usually the stronger tool for complex bites, while removable clear aligners work well for many milder cases. Dr. Rosenzweig offers both, including Invisalign® clear aligners, Angel Aligners, Spark Aligners, and aligners made in-house, and he was an Invisalign beta tester when the system first launched. Daily life is different with each. Aligners come out when you eat, but with braces you’ll skip hard, sticky, and chewy foods like popcorn, caramel, and hard candy.

Q: Am I too old for braces, or is my case too complicated?
A: You’re not too old, and complex cases are a regular part of Dr. Rosenzweig’s practice. He treats adults from their 20s into their 80s, including surgical bites, underbites, TMJ problems, and old injuries, and when jaw surgery is needed, he works with your surgeon before and after the operation so your bite ends up stable. His training includes two years on a children’s hospital craniofacial team and more than 15 years directing the Central Oregon chapter of the Seattle Study Club, a group focused on complex cases. If another office told you to pull healthy teeth, get a second opinion here first, because he won’t recommend extractions or surgery you can avoid.

Q: When should my child first see an orthodontist?
A: Around age 7 is a good time for a first visit. But here’s what matters: most kids that age don’t need treatment yet, and Dr. Rosenzweig will tell you so. He keeps checking your child’s growth at no charge, for months or even years, at our offices in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, and Burns, and only recommends braces when they’re truly needed. One parent called his “least amount of intervention possible” approach refreshing.

Q: What happens at a consultation, and how do insurance and payment work?
A: Dr. Rosenzweig examines you himself and tells you honestly whether you need treatment now, later, or not at all, then walks you through the plan and the cost. Many dental plans include an orthodontic benefit, and payment plans can turn the rest into monthly payments you can estimate with our payment plan calculator. The first visit is free at any of our four Central Oregon offices.

Q: What should I do if a bracket breaks or a wire pokes me after hours?
A: Call 541-382-6822, then check our emergency care page for quick fixes at home, like covering a poking wire with orthodontic wax. Look, you won’t get routed to a call center, whether you’re in Bend or Burns. Dr. Rosenzweig has come in on weekends and after hours to fix a bracket and keep a patient’s treatment on track.