Frequently asked
Orthodontic questions, answered.
The questions we hear every week, with the answers we would give you in person.
Orthodontics at Oasis, in short
Oasis Orthodontics is a specialist orthodontic practice at 1530 Business Center Dr, Suite 2 in Fleming Island, Florida. Two orthodontists treat children from age 7, teens, and adults with braces, ceramic braces, and Spark Clear Aligners. No dentist referral is needed, and the first consultation is complimentary.
General
The basics.
What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who went back for another two to three years of accredited residency that deals with nothing but moving teeth and guiding jaw growth. A general dentist who offers braces has not done that residency. Both of our doctors have, and Dr. Montoya is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
No. You can book a complimentary consultation with an orthodontist here directly, by phone or on this site, without asking your dentist first. Plenty of families do.
When should I or my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first visit to an orthodontist around age 7, which is early enough to catch the things that get harder to fix later. That does not mean treatment at 7. Adults can start at any age, and many of ours do.
Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
No. Healthy teeth move at any age, and a good number of our patients are adults who decided they were done waiting. We treat adults with braces, ceramic braces and Spark Clear Aligners, and there are options nobody will notice across a conference table.
What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment?
Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, and a bite that meets properly is easier to chew and speak with. Most people come to us for how their smile looks and stay glad about how it works.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
It depends on how much correction your bite needs, and that is not something anyone can estimate honestly from a web page. Your orthodontist sets your timeline at the complimentary consultation, after seeing your scans and x-rays, and tells you what it is before you start.
Does orthodontic treatment hurt?
Teeth get sore for a few days after they are first bonded and for a day or so after an adjustment. It is soreness rather than pain, it passes, and ordinary over-the-counter pain relief and soft food handle it.
Will I need to change my diet during treatment?
With braces you will need to leave the hard and sticky things alone, because they are what breaks brackets. With aligners you take them out to eat, so nothing is off the table.
Cost & choosing
What it costs, what to pick.
How much do braces cost at Oasis?
There is no list price, because there is no standard case. Your fee follows how much correction your bite actually needs, and you get it in writing at the complimentary consultation before you commit to anything. What determines it is explained at /learn/how-much-do-braces-cost-fleming-island.
Do clear aligners cost more than braces?
No. At Oasis the fee is the same whether your case is treated with braces or with Spark Clear Aligners. Price follows how much correction your bite needs, not which appliance does the work. If a practice quotes aligners far above braces for the same case, that is a markup decision rather than a clinical one. Your exact fee is set in writing at the complimentary consultation.
Braces or clear aligners for my teenager?
It depends on the case and the teen. Aligners suit a disciplined wearer who will keep them in about 22 hours a day; braces are the reliable choice when compliance is a question or the case is more complex. In the right hands, both reach the same result. We use Spark Clear Aligners rather than Invisalign, and we walk through the trade-offs for your teen at the consultation. Our full comparison is at /learn/braces-vs-invisalign-clay-county-teen.
What is early (Phase 1) treatment and does my child need it?
Phase 1 is limited, targeted treatment for a specific issue (a crossbite, severe crowding, a habit, a skeletal discrepancy) while a child is still growing, usually between ages 7 and 10. Most children who come in for an age-7 screening do not need it; they are simply monitored until the adult teeth arrive. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first screening around age 7 so anything harder to correct later is caught early. More at /learn/first-orthodontic-evaluation-age-7.
Braces
About braces.
What are the different types of braces available?
We bond the Pitts21 Pro system. These are self-ligating brackets, which hold the wire with a built-in slide instead of an elastic tie, so there is less friction and appointments tend to be shorter. We also offer tooth-coloured ceramic brackets.
How do I care for my braces?
Brush after meals and floss every day, because brackets give plaque more places to hide. Leave the hard and sticky foods alone, and keep your adjustment appointments; skipping them is the most common reason treatment runs long.
What happens if a bracket or wire breaks?
Call us and we will get you in for a repair. It is almost never an emergency. In the meantime, press a piece of orthodontic wax over anything sharp and it will stop bothering you.
Clear aligners
About aligners.
What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are a run of custom-made see-through trays that move your teeth a little at a time. We use Spark Clear Aligners, and Dr. Montoya plans most of our aligner cases herself, including complicated ones.
How often do I need to wear my aligners?
About 22 hours a day. They come out to eat, to drink anything that is not water, and to brush. This is the part that decides whether aligner treatment works, and we would rather say so plainly than find out later.
How do I clean my aligners?
Give them a gentle brush with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water. Hot water warps them and toothpaste scratches them cloudy, so skip both.
Retainers
After treatment.
Why do I need to wear retainers after treatment?
Because teeth drift back if you let them. A retainer is what keeps the result you just spent a year or two earning.
How long do I need to wear my retainers?
Full-time at first, then we step you down to nights. Honestly, nights indefinitely: the people who stop wearing them are the ones who come back years later wondering what happened.
What happens if I lose or break my retainer?
Call us and we will make you a new one. Do it soon rather than eventually, because teeth start moving within days of the retainer going missing.
Insurance & payment
The money question.
Do you accept my insurance?
We take most major dental plans. Call us at (904) 215-0980 and our front desk will check exactly what yours covers before your visit, at no charge.
What payment options do you offer?
We finance treatment in house at 0% interest, so there is no lender and no credit application. If you would rather settle it at the start there is a paid-in-full courtesy. Tell us what works and we will build the plan around it.
Do you offer any discounts?
Yes. There is a courtesy when more than one child in a family is in treatment, and another for paying in full at the start. Ask us at the consultation.
Still have questions? Bring them to your consultation.