Ask Dr. Faber: When should my child come in for a consultation?

Many parents simply just assume they should wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Beth Faber, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. But did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

Ok, you're thinking, what’s so great about age seven? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for the team at Faber Orthodontics to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or what we call “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene. So if your child is nearing age 7, give us a call to schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

What's your story? What made you choose Faber Orthodontics?

At Faber Orthodontics, we believe receiving orthodontic care is a personal choice. We like to keep your treatment personal by providing you with customized treatment plans, individual time spent with Dr. Beth Faber, and a smile that reflects who you truly are! We have been helping to create healthy, beautiful smiles in Kilmarnock and Tappahannock for more than 24 years, and we couldn't do it all without your wonderful and positive references.

Whether you’ve just come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Beth or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to know: What made you choose us for your orthodontic treatment? You can write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google listing!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month

At Faber Orthodontics, we know image is everything. At an age when image is so important, the thought of having braces may intensify the already-delicate confidence of today’s teens. Well, May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a free consultation to our convenient Tappahannock or Kilmarnock office. After all, what better time to avoid having crooked teeth in your adulthood than coming in for a consultation with Dr. Faber?

We invite you to give us a call to schedule a complimentary consultation or ask us on Facebook!

Happy Monday!

Myths about braces, explained

Trust us when we say that we are aware that there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) out there nowadays. But before you buy into all those myths, Dr. Beth Faber and staff want you to get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, help set the record straight and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about braces or your orthodontic treatment at our office, feel free to give us a call or ask Dr. Beth during your next visit! See you soon!

Ask Dr. Faber: “I’m 37 – am I too old for braces?”

Of course not! At Faber Orthodontics, nobody, and we mean, NOBODY, is "too old" to straighten their teeth!

In fact, Dr. Beth Faber and our staff recently came across a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: folks want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—very wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Faber can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Faber would love to have you visit for a complimentary consultation. Please give us a call at (804) 443-6419 to set one up!

Straight talk with Dr. Faber

Some people wonder why Tappahannock and Kilmarnock orthodontist Dr. Beth Faber and our team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at Faber Orthodontics can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! Receiving orthodontic care is a personal choice; and at Faber Orthodontics, we like to keep your treatment personal by providing you with customized treatment plans, individual time spent with your orthodontist, and a smile that reflects who you are! We have been helping to create healthy, beautiful smiles in the community for over 23 years.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation. Dr. Faber can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Get to know your braces! From Faber Orthodontics

If you ever sustain damage to your braces and need to call Faber Orthodontics, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.



Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!