Quick Facts

Why is back-to-school the best time to start braces?

Fall gives your child’s treatment a natural rhythm to settle into. Appointments line up with the school calendar, so you can plan visits around class schedules, sports, and activities instead of squeezing them in later. Starting now also means your child adjusts to braces or aligners while they’re already getting used to new routines, teachers, and classes.

There’s a practical bonus too. Many families have already met insurance deductibles or have flex spending dollars to use before year’s end. Starting treatment in the fall can help you make the most of the benefits you’ve already paid for.

How does online scheduling work?

You can book your appointment online in a couple of minutes, right from our website. Click to book a complimentary consultation, choose the day and time that works best for your family, and you’re set. No phone call required, and no waiting until the office opens to lock in a spot.

Prefer to text or talk it through? Message us at (248) 639-9037 or call (248) 817-2623 and we’ll help you get scheduled. However you reach out, the goal is the same: a smooth start that fits around drop-offs, pickups, and after-school activities.

Can I fill out forms online before I arrive?

Yes, and doing it ahead of time saves you from paperwork in the waiting room. Our patient forms are available digitally on our website, so you can complete them at home on your own schedule. It’s one less thing to manage on a busy morning.

Knocking out forms early also means more of your first visit goes toward the actual conversation with our orthodontist. For a family juggling the back-to-school rush, that time back really adds up.

What happens at the first visit?

Your first appointment is a complimentary consultation built to answer your questions. Dr. Dhawan gets to know your goals, completes a thorough exam, and helps you map out a customized treatment plan. You’ll also go over financial information, insurance options, and payment plans, so there are no surprises.

Our office uses advanced diagnostics like the iTero Element scanner and cone beam imaging, which means a clear, detailed picture of your smile from day one. By the time you leave, you’ll know whether treatment makes sense, what it involves, and what it costs.

Which treatment is right for my child?

That depends on age and needs, and the consultation is where we figure it out together. Younger kids may be candidates for two-phase treatment or Invisalign First, which guides growth early and can simplify things down the road. Our 7andUp Kids Club reflects the American Association of Orthodontists’ guidance that children get a first orthodontic check around age seven.

Teens and adults have great options too. From traditional metal and clear ceramic braces to Invisalign clear aligners, Dr. Dhawan tailors the plan to fit your goals, your smile, and your day-to-day life. Curious before you book? Our free online smile evaluation lets you preview a new smile in about 60 seconds.

How often will we come in once treatment starts?

Most patients see our orthodontist every four to eight weeks during active treatment. We work hard to keep those visits hassle-free, so let us know the days and times that fit your family’s routine. Booking online makes it easy to plan the next appointment around school and work.

Keep seeing your regular dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups too, even during orthodontic treatment. If you need additional dental care along the way, we’re glad to coordinate with your family dentist.

Ready to get started this fall?

Back-to-school is the perfect moment to give your child a healthy, confident smile, and booking online makes the first step easy. Whether you’re in Troy, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights, Warren, or a nearby community, Dr. Dhawan and the team at Oakland Orthodontics are here to help every step of the way.

Book your complimentary consultation online, text us at (248) 639-9037, or call (248) 817-2623. Let’s make this the year your family begins their journey to healthier, more confident smiles!

The post Back-to-School Braces? Book Your Visit Online in Troy first appeared on Oakland Orthodontics.

And yes — we know one of the first questions most people ask is, “How much do braces cost?” or “How much does Invisalign cost?” Let’s walk through what really goes into those answers.

Understanding Orthodontic Treatment and Why Costs Can Vary

Orthodontic treatment is about much more than straight teeth. Proper alignment helps:

• Improve how your teeth function
• Make brushing and flossing easier
• Reduce strain on your jaw
• Support long-term oral health
• Boost your confidence

At Oakland Orthodontics, Dr. Dhawan carefully evaluates your bite, tooth positioning, and overall facial balance before recommending a treatment plan. Because every smile is unique, the cost of treatment depends on factors like:

• The complexity of your case
• The type of treatment selected
• The length of treatment

Rather than offering generic pricing, Oakland Orthodontics creates personalized treatment plans designed to deliver excellent results while keeping long-term value in mind.

Understanding the Cost of Braces

When patients search for braces cost, they’re often hoping for a simple answer. The reality is that pricing depends on several important details.

Factors that influence the cost of braces include:

• The type of braces you choose
• How complex your bite correction is
• How long you’ll need treatment
• The level of adjustments required

A small spacing issue is very different from correcting a significant bite imbalance. That’s why a consultation at Oakland Orthodontics is so important. Dr. Dhawan provides an accurate evaluation so you receive recommendations that are realistic and tailored specifically to your smile.

Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Invisalign has become a popular option for patients who want a more discreet way to straighten their teeth. At Oakland Orthodontics, Invisalign is carefully planned and monitored by Dr. Dhawan to ensure predictable results.

The cost of Invisalign varies based on:

• The number of aligners required
• The complexity of your alignment
• The amount of monitoring and refinement needed

While online searches may promise quick estimates, the only way to determine true Invisalign cost is through a personalized consultation. At Oakland Orthodontics, you’ll receive a clear treatment plan, detailed guidance, and full support before you even begin.

Exploring the Different Types of Braces

Orthodontic treatment today offers more options than ever before. At Oakland Orthodontics, patients can explore solutions that fit both their clinical needs and lifestyle.
Options may include:

• Traditional metal braces for comprehensive bite correction
• Ceramic braces for a more discreet appearance
• Clear aligners for convenience and flexibility

Dr. Dhawan helps you compare the benefits of each option so you can feel confident about your decision.

How Your Orthodontist Determines the Right Braces Option

Choosing the right treatment starts with a comprehensive orthodontic evaluation at Oakland Orthodontics. During your visit, Dr. Dhawan will assess:

• Tooth alignment
• Bite function
• Jaw positioning
• Facial balance
• Your lifestyle and personal goals

For teens, school activities and comfort may be important considerations. For working professionals, discretion and convenience may matter more. The goal is always the same — comfort, efficiency, and long-lasting results.

Life During Orthodontic Treatment

Starting braces or Invisalign comes with a short adjustment period, but most patients adapt quickly. At Oakland Orthodontics, we guide you every step of the way.

You can expect:

• Clear instructions for daily care
• Mild pressure as teeth begin shifting
• Regular checkups to monitor progress
• Timely adjustments to keep treatment on track

Dr. Dhawan and the team at Oakland Orthodontics make sure you always know what to expect, so your experience feels smooth and supported from start to finish.

Why Patients Choose Oakland Orthodontics

Families throughout Troy, Warren, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights, and surrounding communities trust Oakland Orthodontics for thoughtful, patient-focused care.

Patients appreciate:

• Personalized treatment planning
• Modern orthodontic technology
• Clear communication
• A welcoming, comfortable environment
• Consistent guidance from Dr. Dhawan

At Oakland Orthodontics, your smile is never just another case. It’s a partnership focused on helping you feel confident for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post The Ultimate Guide to Braces, Invisalign, and Orthodontic Costs first appeared on Oakland Orthodontics.

At Oakland Orthodontics, Dr. Dhawan works with children, teens, and adults who want both confident smiles and strong, healthy foundations. If you’ve been searching for things like “best orthodontist near me” or “how to choose the right orthodontist,” this guide will help you feel more confident about your decision.

Understanding Orthodontic Care and When Professional Treatment Is Needed

Orthodontic treatment focuses on guiding teeth and jaws into healthier alignment. When everything is positioned properly, it can:

• Make brushing and flossing easier
• Improve bite comfort and function
• Reduce strain on jaw joints
• Support long-term oral stability
• Enhance overall confidence

Common signs that orthodontic treatment may be needed include:

• Crooked or crowded teeth
• Bite issues such as overbite, underbite, or crossbite
• Jaw alignment concerns
• Shifting teeth over time

An early evaluation can make a significant difference. At Oakland Orthodontics, Dr. Dhawan creates customized orthodontic treatment plans designed not only for excellent results, but also for comfort and efficiency throughout the process.

How Do People Identify the Best Orthodontist?

Choosing the right orthodontist is an important decision. Most patients research carefully before scheduling a consultation — and that’s a smart approach.

When evaluating an orthodontic practice, look for:

• Advanced training and credentials
• Experience treating a wide range of cases
• Modern technology and techniques
• Clear communication and transparency
• A patient-centered philosophy

At Oakland Orthodontics, Dr. Dhawan focuses on education, personalized treatment planning, and long-term results. Rather than offering quick fixes, our approach is thoughtful and customized to each individual smile.

Understanding Modern Orthodontic Treatments

Orthodontic care today is more flexible and comfortable than ever. Different patients have different alignment needs, so treatment options vary based on complexity and goals.

Modern orthodontic solutions may include:

• Traditional braces for comprehensive bite correction
• Ceramic braces for a more discreet look
• Clear aligner systems for convenience and flexibility

Oakland Orthodontics proudly provides modern orthodontic services to families in Warren and surrounding communities. Dr. Dhawan carefully evaluates your case to determine which approach will deliver the best outcome.

What an Orthodontist Does During Treatment

Orthodontic treatment involves much more than simply placing braces or providing aligners. At Oakland Orthodontics, Dr. Dhawan manages every stage of care, including:

• Comprehensive diagnosis and imaging
• Customized treatment planning
• Careful appliance placement
• Ongoing monitoring and adjustments
• Progress tracking to ensure optimal results

Regular follow-up visits allow Dr. Dhawan to make precise adjustments and ensure your smile stays on track. Our team is committed to providing consistent, supportive care throughout your entire treatment journey.

When to See an Orthodontist

Orthodontic evaluations are often recommended around age seven, when early bite and alignment concerns can be identified. However, orthodontic treatment is not limited to children.

Teens and adults may benefit from treatment if they notice:

• Crowding or spacing
• Bite discomfort
• Shifting teeth
• Difficulty cleaning certain areas

At Oakland Orthodontics, Dr. Dhawan evaluates patients of all ages and recommends the right timing based on individual needs.

Choosing the Right Orthodontic Practice

When selecting an orthodontic office, consider more than convenience alone. The right practice should offer:

• Board-certified expertise
• A variety of treatment options
• Modern diagnostic tools
• Clear communication
• A welcoming, supportive environment

Oakland Orthodontics is built around patient education, transparency, and continuity of care. Dr. Dhawan ensures that every patient understands their options and feels comfortable throughout treatment.

Why Patients Choose Oakland Orthodontics

Families across Troy, Warren, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights, and surrounding communities choose Oakland Orthodontics because of our commitment to personalized care.

Patients value:

• Compassionate, welcoming service
• Advanced orthodontic technology
• Customized treatment plans
• A focus on long-term smile health
• Direct guidance from Dr. Dhawan

At Oakland Orthodontics, the goal is never a short-term cosmetic fix. Our focus is on creating healthy, stable smiles that last for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Orthodontist and Understanding Modern Orthodontic Care first appeared on Oakland Orthodontics.

Performing DIY or at-home orthodontia can lead to or cause:

• Loss of teeth
• Infection
• Cavities or infections that are missed or undiagnosed
• Gum damage

Dr. Christina Carter, president of the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists, says that DIY orthodontics can have terrible consequences. She spoke to TODAY about closing gaps between teeth using rubber bands or elastics:

“The teeth are connected to the gums and the blood supply and there is a risk of infection, of tearing the gums which might not heal properly, and a risk of damaging the attachment between the tooth and gums so the tooth no longer gets the support it needs.” She also noted, “A simple rubber band can actually slide up the tooth and cut all the attachments to it and you can actually lose a tooth.”

One of the worst parts about DIY orthodontics is that you never consult with a trained orthodontist, so you’re really operating on a dangerous lack of information. It’s best not to risk damage to your teeth or infection. Let Dr. Archana Dhawan know what you want to accomplish with your teeth and we will help you find the safest and most cost-effective way to achieve it.

Dr. Archana Dhawan want you to be informed and practical about your oral health. Should you have any questions about orthodontic treatment options, please do not hesitate to give us a call at our convenient Troy office.

The post Dangers of DIY Orthodontics on the Internet first appeared on Oakland Orthodontics.

Placement of the elastics is specific to each patient’s teeth. These small rubber bands stretch over the tiny loops on both the top and bottom brackets. At first, Dr. Archana Dhawan may recommend you wear the elastics both day and night for an extended time.

You may be told to switch only to nighttime wear once the teeth are set in the correct position. By consistently wearing the elastics, you can shorten the overall time your braces will have to be on.

The elastics are made from medical-grade latex. If you have an allergy to latex, make sure to let Dr. Archana Dhawan know, so you can be given an alternate material. We will show you how to take elastics on and off when they’re given to you at your appointment.

You should remove them when you eat so they don’t become overstretched or break. It’s important not to overstretch the bands, and always to replace them if they break. Eventually it will become a familiar habit to carry the bands around with you for times when this might happen.

The Do’s and the Don’ts

• DO … always wash your hands before removing or replacing the rubber bands.
• DO … call us if you run out of elastics.
• DO … get in the habit of carrying around extra rubber bands as replacements.
• DON’T … double up on elastics because this can exert too much pressure on your teeth and could actually harm the roots.
• DON’T … overstretch the rubber bands or they will lose strength and become ineffective.

If you were recently given elastics as well as your braces, feel free to ask any questions during your appointment, or call our Troy office any time. Using elastics correctly is one more step in your journey to a perfect smile!

The post Elastics and Braces first appeared on Oakland Orthodontics.

St. Valentine’s Day was originally celebrated as a religious feast day in honor of early Christian martyrs. Three martyrs named Valentine were honored: a priest in Rome, the persecuted bishop of Interamna (a town in central Italy), and a saint martyred in Africa. This saint’s day was celebrated throughout Christendom, although it was removed from the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints in 1969.

The origin of Valentine’s Day as a holiday for lovers began with Geoffrey Chaucer in his 1382 poem “Parlement of Foules.” Chaucer wrote, “For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate,” and the modern romantic holiday was born. William Shakespeare and other writers mentioned Valentine’s Day as a day of love.

Valentine’s Day as we know it came about in the early 19th century. In Victorian England, printers began manufacturing small numbers of cards with romantic verses, lace, ribbons, and other frills. Anonymous Valentine’s Day card were a popular way for young lovers to exchange romantic sentiments in an otherwise prudish time. As the 19th century progressed, printers began mass manufacturing Valentine’s Day cards. People in the United States give an estimated 190 million valentines every year, and up to one billion if you count children exchanging cards at school! With the rise of the Internet, Valentine’s Day e-cards have become a popular mode of communication, with millions of e-cards sent each year.

The other items associated with Valentine’s Day include chocolate and flowers. The tradition of giving chocolates has been around for decades, and Richard Cadbury created the first box of Valentine’s Day chocolates nearly 150 years ago. Today, purchases of chocolate total over $1 billion in the United States alone, with 35 million heart-shaped boxes sold each year. Loved ones also exchange flowers, with red roses being associated with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. On Valentine’s Day itself, florists sell nearly 200 million stems of roses.

Although many people dismiss Valentine’s Day as a commercialized “Hallmark holiday,” it is beloved to couples and romantics across the United States and other countries. The team at Oakland Orthodontics wants to remind all patients that no matter what your celebratory plans, February 14th can be a wonderful day to celebrate the loved ones in your life. Happy Valentine’s Day!

The post Valentine’s Day History first appeared on Oakland Orthodontics.

The First Few Days with Braces

The first few days wearing braces may be the most restrictive. During this time, the adhesive is still curing, which means you will need to consume only soft foods. This probably will not be a problem, however, as your teeth may be tender or sensitive while adjusting to the appliances.

Orthodontic Dietary Restrictions

You can eat most foods normally the way you did without braces. However, some foods can damage orthodontic appliances or cause them to come loose. Examples of foods you will need to avoid include:

• Chewy foods like taffy, chewing gum, beef jerky, and bagels
• Hard foods like peanuts, ice chips, and hard candy
• Crunchy foods like chips, apples, and carrots

How to Continue to Eat the Foods You Love Most

Keep in mind that you may still be able to enjoy some of the foods you love by making certain modifications to the way you eat them. For example, steaming or roasting carrots makes them softer and easier to consume with braces. Similarly, you can remove corn from the cob, or cut up produce like apples and pears to avoid biting into them. Other tips include grinding nuts into your yogurt or dipping hard cookies into milk to soften them. If you must eat hard candies, simply suck on them instead of biting into them.

If you have any question whether a food is safe to eat during your treatment with Oakland Orthodontics, we encourage you to err on the side of caution. Of course, you can always contact our Troy office with any questions you have about your diet and the foods that should be avoided during treatment. By following our dietary instructions and protecting your orthodontic appliances from damage, you will be back to chewing gum in no time.

The post Proper Diet while Undergoing Orthodontics first appeared on Oakland Orthodontics.

For many years, the answer was a firm “No.” Not only did our favorite chewables literally gum up the (dental) works, but they were filled with loads of the sugar that cavity-causing bacteria love to feed on. The result? A much better chance of damage to your orthodontic work, and a higher risk of cavities near your brackets and wires.

But times, and gum recipes, change. Today’s sugar-free gum provides us with some new ideas to chew over.

• Sugarless gum is much less sticky than regular gum, so it is much less likely to stick to your appliance. If there is any chance that gum will damage your wires or brackets, we’ll let you know that it’s best to wait until your braces are off to indulge.
• Some orthodontic patients find that their jaws and ligaments are less sore if they chew gum for a few minutes after an adjustment.
• Most important, studies suggest that chewing sugarless gum might actually help prevent cavities from forming. How is that possible?

Because chewing gum increases our production of saliva! Okay, we don’t normally find saliva an exciting, exclamation-point-worthy topic, but let’s look at the dental benefits:

• Saliva washes away food particles and bacteria. And because braces can trap food when we eat, it’s great to have some help washing away any meal-time souvenirs.
• Saliva helps neutralize acids in the mouth. The acids found in foods and produced by oral bacteria lead to cavities, so diluting and neutralizing their effects provide important protection for our enamel.
• Saliva helps bathe the teeth in minerals that can actually rebuild weakened enamel. Acids in the mouth attack minerals in the enamel such as the calcium and phosphate that strengthen our teeth. Fortunately, saliva provides calcium, phosphate, and fluoride that can actually help rebuild weakened enamel.

So, should you chew gum and wear braces? The real question is, should you chew gum while you’re in braces? Dr. Archana Dhawan and our team are more than happy to provide the right answer for you! Talk to us at your next visit to our Troy office about the potential benefits and drawbacks of dentist-approved sugarless gum. Depending on the kind of gum you choose and the kind of orthodontic work you are having done, the answer just might surprise you.

The post Can You Chew Gum and Wear Braces? first appeared on Oakland Orthodontics.