Author: Dr. Herman

Question: My daughter came crying to me last night that some kids were posting on social media about her smile having fangs. One post said that her dad must be Dracula. Is cyberbullying about a person’s smile common? Answer: Cyberbullying on almost anything is a large problem, however, a recent study found that cyberbullying about … Continued

Question: I read a Facebook post by another orthodontist which stated that early treatment can prevent the need for permanent teeth extractions. As a mom of four children, I have never heard this before. Is this true? Answer: No, this is wishful thinking. There have been multiple studies since this idea was first proposed in … Continued

Question: When choosing an orthodontic office, why shouldn’t I choose the least expensive? Aren’t all orthodontists and braces the same? Answer: If you view orthodontic health care as a commodity, then yes, you can make your treatment decision solely based on the least expensive care. However, if you want to receive the best results, as … Continued

Question: When I started orthodontic treatment for crowding, I made it very clear to my orthodontist that I did not want to have any teeth extracted. Now, nine months into treatment, my doctor is telling me that I need to have some extractions. He claims he never promised me treatment without extractions, only that he … Continued

Question: How does New Mexico’s dental health compare to other states? Answer: The most recent dental health survey was conducted in 2015, and did not place New Mexico on either the best or worst list. The state with the best dental health was Minnesota followed by Wisconsin and Illinois. The state with the worst dental … Continued

Question: I have a teething two-year-old who is not sleeping well at night. My mom recommended giving her a homeopathic teething tablet called Belladonna to help her tolerate the pain. My girlfriend said that that stuff is toxic. Is this true? Answer: Your girlfriend is correct. The FDA published a warning in January not to … Continued

Question: I see that other orthodontists in town give prizes to their patients for participating in in-office games and activities. Does your office do this? Answer: No. I do not give prizes, I give actual credit toward additional treatment. I found that my adult patients, or parents, appreciate a credit that lowers fees over playing … Continued

Question: I recently called another orthodontic office and asked the lady answering the phone some questions. One of the questions I asked was if the orthodontist takes out teeth to straighten the other teeth. The lady at that office told me that some people have more teeth than other people and those people need to … Continued