Author: Dr. Herman

Question: I heard access to your practice is easy for new patients and that I can get an exam and leave with braces all within about 2 hours. I know you have a popular office. How do you do it? Answer: My office is known for having enough staff to handle the demand to treat … Continued

Question: I had a second consult with you and you discussed smile arc protection (SAP) and vertical incisal position (VIP). Now that I know the difference, why don’t other orthodontists treat SAP or VIP? Answer: Orthodontists using the High Tech H-4 system of braces are taught to treat all patients using SAP and VIP. I … Continued

Question: I read the expansion of Medicaid has resulted in more children receiving routine dental care. Has this access to care improved the dental health in this previously underserved population group? Answer: Yes and no. A recent national study found the cavity rate in children ages 2-8 has been significantly reduced; as has the number … Continued

Question: I had orthodontic treatment before and was notified that I had some root loss. Is this normal to have after treatment? Answer: Root loss from orthodontic treatment is not normal, but it is a risk factor. Many studies show that about 1-3% of treated patients may exhibit some amount of significant root loss. The … Continued

Question: I received a plan from an orthodontist to fix my overbite by extracting my top middle tooth and placing screws in my upper jaw to bring my front teeth backward. I do not agree with this plan. What should I do? Answer: I encourage you to get a second opinion. This treatment approach is … Continued

Question: I was being treated by an orthodontist who seemed very nice and had great reviews. However, when I got behind on payments and had to end treatment, his staff told me I had been terminated as a patient and needed to get my braces removed elsewhere. Is this refusal to remove my braces a … Continued

Question: Last week an Albuquerque news station had a piece about a dentist who was under investigation due to patient complaints about being treated for non-existing problems. Does this happen in our area? Answer: When a patient changes to a new dentist it can be upsetting when problems are identified, especially when your previous dentist … Continued

Question: I saw on the internet that people are rinsing with apple cider vinegar to help whiten their teeth. Is this safe and effective? Answer: CNN recently investigated this question and found that people recommend using apple cider vinegar for a variety of reasons, including dental care. However, it should not be used as a … Continued

Question: I know you receive a lot of transfer patients from other offices. Why do patients transfer to your office? Answer: There are several reasons why so many patients transfer to my office. Some reasons include: either the patient wants a wider smile, the previous office refused to work with the patient on financial issues, problems … Continued

Question: How much is the tooth fairy paying these days for baby teeth? Answer: A recent study found that the current average is $4.66 per baby tooth. This is a significant increase of 75 cents over 2015. The study found that more than 200 million dollars were paid out by the tooth fairy and her … Continued