Frequently Asked Questions
Below, find answers to the questions we most commonly hear from patients at our Glen Mills and Chester Springs offices.
If your question is not answered below, or you’d like to follow up, please feel free to contact Swiatek Orthodontics: Glen Mills office at (610) 358-0600, or our Chester Springs office at (610) 458-1600.
Answers from Swiatek Orthodontics
No. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, but most are referred by family and friends.
Simply call our office Monday through Thursday! Our scheduling coordinator will request some basic information from you, and will be happy to schedule your appointment.
No, it is not too late. More and more adults today are seeking the benefits of a healthy dentition and a beautiful smile. In our practice 25 to 30% of all orthodontic patients are over the age of 18. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important at any age. It’s never too late!
There are five essential questions that the doctor will discuss with you during the consultation:
- What are your orthodontic concerns?
- What are your orthodontic problems?
- What must be done to correct your orthodontic concerns and problems?
- How long will treatment take to complete?
- How much will treatment cost?
Treatment time depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic needs. A minor correction could take 4-6 months, whereas a very extensive correction could take as long as 24-30 months.
Generally, braces do not “hurt” but they do feel foreign and a little “sore” at first, and take about a week to get used to. Invisalign patients generally report less soreness than patients in braces. After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days, so you might want to take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Advil or Tylenol.
Orthodontic fees depend on the complexity of the correction. We will explain the cost and the financial options during the initial consultation. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review each of these with you.
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients are seen every 6 to 10 weeks.
Yes! We recommend seeing your family dentist at least every 6 months for a thorough cleaning and examination whether or not you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Yes, once your treatment begins we will provide you with list of foods to avoid. These include hard and crunchy items such as ice, hard candy, and nuts which can distort wires and/or break braces off teeth. You should also avoid sticky items like gum, caramel and taffy that can pull the colored o-rings off braces causing wires to come out of the braces and poke you.
You can avoid extra repair appointments and reduce your time in braces by carefully following these instructions. Invisalign patients have no food restrictions (other than gum) because aligners are removed while eating.
Excellent oral hygiene is a must during orthodontic treatment. Patients should thoroughly brush three to four times each day: after each meal and before going to bed.
Since students usually do not have enough time in school to brush after lunch, they should brush after school. When braces are placed, we provide special toothbrushes, flossing aids, etc. to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.
An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
After attending the University of Scranton, Dr. Swiatek studied dentistry at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine for four years, followed by three more years of orthodontic education, also at Harvard.
Dr. Swiatek has over 20 years of experience as an orthodontist, has treated hundreds of Invisalign patients and thousands of patients with braces.