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About This Quiz
If you've got a mouthful of crooked, mismatched chompers, don't fret. You're not alone, and this quiz will help you figure out how to get that straight, beautiful smile of your dreams.
What does malocclusion mean?
misaligned teeth
Malocclusion is a generic term for misaligned teeth. Most people have some sort of malocclusion, but not everyone seeks treatment for it.
overbite
crowded teeth
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When did people start wearing braces?
around 2000 B.C.
It's hard to believe, but braces have been around since ancient times. Historians think that the earliest braces were made of base metals and catgut. Imaging that in your mouth!
the 1300s
the early 1900s
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Edward Angle is known as the father of modern orthodontics. When did he practice?
mid-1700s
late-1800s
Angle became a dentist in 1876 and was a professor of orthodontics for a while before deciding in 1899 to concentrate solely on practicing orthodontics as a doctor.
early-1900s
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How many years of school must students complete after their undergraduate degree to get an orthodontics degree?
two to four
three to five
six to seven
After undergrad comes four years of dentistry school and then two to three years of orthodontics school -- so six to seven years total.
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At what age should children first see an orthodontist?
7
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids first see an orthodontist by age 7. An orthodontist might be able to detect jaw or bite problems early and start fixing them before they become serious.
10
12
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About what percentage of orthodontics patients are adults?
10
20
The American Association of Orthodontists says that about 1 in 5 patients are adults, so around 20 percent.
30
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If you're seeing an orthodontist, about how often will you have appointments?
once a month
1.5 months to 3 months
Patients typically see their orthodontist about every 6 weeks to 12 weeks.
every 6 months
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True or False: If your orthodontist recommends braces, you'll be a wearing them for at least a year.
TRUE
FALSE
It all depends on why you're wearing braces. It's a good possibility you'll be in braces for more than a year, but you could also get lucky and be able to remove them within a few months.
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True or False: Orthodontic treatment helps lower your risk of gum disease.
TRUE
Straight teeth are easier to clean, so you definitely have less chance of developing gum disease if you see an orthodontist.
FALSE
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About how much should you expect to pay for a full orthodontics treatment for a child?
$2,000
According to the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, it will cost about $2,000 for a child's full course of treatment. Adult patients can expect to shell out more than $5,000.
$5,000
$8,000
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You Got:
/10
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