Braces in Fair Haven, NJ | MHR Orthodontics

Frequently Asked Questions About Braces in Fair Haven

How long is the drive from Fair Haven?

Most Fair Haven addresses are 8 to 12 minutes from our office. The shortest routes are via Ridge Road and Sycamore Avenue (south through Little Silver to Shrewsbury) or via River Road and Route 35 (through Red Bank and south to Shrewsbury). Both routes stay on familiar local roads. Parking is at the building.

Can you treat two children in the same family at the same time?

Yes, and it is more common than people realize. About 30% of our active patients have a sibling also in treatment at the same time. We try to schedule sibling appointments back-to-back when possible so one parent trip covers both kids. For consultations involving two children, we can sometimes do both in a single longer visit; ask when you call. There is no discount on the second sibling's treatment fee per se, but the operational convenience of one drive and one parent trip per visit is worth a lot.

What's the process if my pediatric dentist referred us?

If your pediatric dentist or general dentist sent you our way, the process is straightforward. Bring the referral note or any X-rays the dentist provided (digital files via email work too). At the consultation, we will review what your dentist flagged, take our own records (a 3D scan and panoramic X-ray as needed), and let you know whether the dentist's read was correct, whether the timing is right for treatment, and what the recommended plan is. We send a written follow-up note to the referring dentist after the consultation so they are kept in the loop. There is no extra cost or paperwork on the family's side beyond what would happen for any other consultation.

Will I need to brush more or differently with braces?

Yes, and the difference is meaningful. With braces, food gets trapped around brackets and along the wire, so brushing has to be more thorough than usual. The recommended routine: brush after every meal (so three to four times a day, not two), use an interdental brush to clean around the brackets and under the wire, floss daily using a floss threader or specialty floss designed for braces, and consider an electric toothbrush if you do not already have one. With clear aligners (Invisalign, Spark), the routine is different but in some ways easier — you take the aligners out to eat and to brush, so the actual brushing is no different from your regular routine. The catch with aligners is that anything you eat or drink besides water needs to be followed by brushing before the aligners go back in, otherwise stained or sugary residue gets sealed against your teeth for the rest of the day.

Will my teeth shift back after I finish treatment?

Without retainers, yes — slowly and steadily over years. Teeth have memory and will try to drift back toward their original positions if nothing is holding them in place. This is why retainers are a permanent part of every orthodontic treatment plan, no exceptions. In the first few months after braces come off, retainers are worn most of the time. After that, the typical recommendation is nighttime-only wear, indefinitely. Patients who follow the retainer plan keep their results for life. Patients who stop wearing retainers usually see noticeable shifting within a few years. The first set of retainers is included in the treatment fee; replacements are available at a separate cost if a retainer is lost or broken.

Schedule Your Free Braces Consultation

Ten to twelve minutes west, just past Red Bank or through Little Silver. Call (732) 704-5474 or request an appointment online. The consultation is free, takes 45 to 60 minutes, and includes a clear treatment plan and a real cost. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday appointments by request.