Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Dr. Fotovat is a board certified orthodontist with more than 25 years’ experience. Board-certified orthodontists are known as Diplomats of the American Board of Orthodontics.  The only boarding organization for the orthodontic specialty that is recognized by the American Dental Association is the American Board of Orthodontics. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the elite Angle Society. He has achieved Diamond+ Invisalign status meaning he is among the top 1% of Invisalign providers in the nation! For more information about Dr. Fotovat’s education and experience, please visit the Doctor page.

Dr. Fotovat and his team are ready to help you get a Picture Perfect Smile. Every person’s orthodontic needs are different so the first step is a consultation. You can call our office at (818) 980-5300 to schedule an in-office appointment, or you can start your journey right now by using our complimentary virtual consultation feature powered by SmileSnap.

Make sure you bring the most important thing… YOUR SMILE! We will email your New Patient Paperwork prior to your visit. When you complete the forms, they are automatically sent to us and will be ready when you come for your appointment. It is VERY important to completely fill out the New Patient Paperwork so you have the full appointment time allotted with Dr. Fotovat. If you participate in an employer-sponsored FSA/HSA program, please bring that information with you, as well.

You may want to get started on your journey toward a Picture Perfect Smile on the day of your initial consultation. That’s great! We can begin your orthodontic treatment plan that same day! We can take your records, fill out all necessary paperwork, and begin your payment plan… it’s that easy!

You’ll meet our wonderful and knowledgeable Treatment Coordinator for a consultation in which you will sign your New Patient Paperwork and meet some of the team. You will meet with Dr. Fotovat for a full clinical orthodontic examination. You will then get information about the following:

• Orthodontic Concerns
• Treatment Suggestions and Options
• Estimated Length of Treatment
• Cost of Treatment
• Payment Options

Your 1^st Visit is an important part of orthodontic treatment; any and all questions you have will be addressed at this time. If you’re ready to begin your journey toward your Picture Perfect Smile, we can start right away!

You’re never too old to take care of your orthodontic health. About one-third of our patients are adults and we have treatment options for every life style. When it comes to our younger patients, the AAO recommends every child have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. This helps Dr. Fotovat evaluate and assess orthodontic concerns before they can become bigger, more difficult issues to resolve.

That’s a great question and one you can answer with Dr. Fotovat. We offer many treatment options and will find one that fits your orthodontic and lifestyle needs. For more information about our Treatment Options, visit our Home page and click the Treatment Options menu link.

The fee for an individual’s treatment is determined by a variety of factors, including the severity of the orthodontic concerns to be corrected, as well as the anticipated length of treatment. Dr. Fotovat and his Treatment Coordinator will carefully explain all of your treatment options and the fees associated with them. Our staff will also make sure to assist you in every way to utilize any insurance and/or employer-sponsored FSA/HSA programs you may have.

Yes, keeping your teeth and braces (or other appliances) clean requires a little more effort on your part. Dr. Fotovat and his team will explain how to brush and floss, how often to brush and floss, and give you any special instructions based on the kind of orthodontic treatment you are having. Be sure to follow these dental hygiene recommendations to get the best results possible. Dr. Fotovat can recommend dental products and tools that might be helpful.

In general, patients with braces must be careful to avoid hard, sticky, chewy and crunchy foods. You should also avoid chewing on hard objects like pens, pencils and fingernails. Never chew ice; it’s much too hard on your teeth – even without braces.

Also be sure to see your general dentist for a professional cleaning and check-up at least every six months during your orthodontic treatment, or more often, if recommended.

Your orthodontic experience shouldn’t be painful but there may be some periods of discomfort. Having your braces put on is not painful but you may notice some discomfort in the days immediately following, as well as after some adjustment appointments. For patients wearing Invisalign, you may notice your mouth feels ‘tighter’ on the days you switch to a new aligner set. Additionally, for patients wearing traditional braces it can take the inside of the mouth a bit of time to get used to the feeling of the brackets and wires. You can use orthodontic wax to cover any areas that are irritating and rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help. You may want to stick to soft foods in the beginning and if necessary you can take an over-the-counter pain medication. Dr. Fotovat and his team will do everything in their power to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Help is always just a phone call away (818) 980-5300.

Please check out our In Case of Emergency page for specific instructions about issues with broken brackets, pokey wires, or other concerns with your braces or Invisalign. Please make sure to call the office to let us know if your braces or aligners break, come loose, or cause you pain. In case of a true orthodontic emergency such as severe pain (not reduced by over the counter pain medication), bleeding, trauma to the mouth, or bent wires, please call the office at (818) 980-5300 and follow the instructions to reach the on-call assistant.