When is the right time for braces?

1. Straight Talk
2. Braces as a Fashion Accessory
3. Frequently Asked Questions
 

Straight Talk

It is seldom the case that teeth are evenly spaced and that the bones of the jaw are perfectly aligned. In fact, because different sets of genes control both the development of the teeth and jaws, it is fairly likely that there will be mismatches in the mouth. Beyond the factor of inherited irregularities, there are those that arise due to improper eruption and development of the teeth. Injury, decay, and disease may also play roles in forcing the teeth and jaws out of their ideal positions, as can such habits as thumb-sucking. Whatever the cause of misaligned teeth or mismatched jaws, the orthodontist stands ready to correct the problems of young and old alike. Please follow our column in the weeks and months to come to find out how orthodontia may be of help to you and your family.

Braces as a Fashion Accessory

What do braces have in common with athletic shows, nail polish, and cool headgear in the mind of today's adolescents and teenagers? They are regarded as fashion accessories. This may come as big news to their parents, who grew up in the days when braces were largely comprised of wide metal bands that gave rise to the epithet "metal mouth" or "brace face" being hurled at an embarrassed young patient. Today, translucent brackets have replaced the bands and colorful elastics are used to hold arch-wires in place. As a result, this colorful minimalist look has today's young patient pondering a match between her braces and her lipstick. In short, children and young adults look forward to having braces as a rite of passage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed at least two years of continuous advanced study in an orthodontic program of a dental school or institutions approved by the American Dental Association. This advanced training includes such diverse studies as physics, embryology, genetics, human growth and development, biophysics and engineering. Only those dentists with this advanced education can announce that they are orthodontists.

What are the benefits of orthodontics?
Crooked teeth and bad bites can seriously affect general oral health. Crooked teeth are difficult to clean and thus can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and eventual tooth loss. Bad bites can cause abnormal wear to tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing, and damage to supporting bone and gum tissue. By achieving a realignment of the teeth through orthodontic, oral health, speech, digestion, and self-esteem can be improved.

By what age does orthodontics have to be started?
There is no age limit for orthodontics. Teeth and tissue are essentially the same in both adults and children. Orthodontists can successfully realign crooked teeth of a protruding overbite regardless of your age.

How long does treatment last?
Orthodontic correction can vary from the comparatively simple closing of front spaces in a few months, to realignment of unsightly and disfiguring teeth in a few years time. In the young child or adolescent, treatment is as much a critical matter of timing and guidance as anything else. The normal treatment time varies from eighteen months to three years depending on the complexity of the problem.

What payment options are available?
Charges for treatment are determined and explained at your first appointment. They are based on the severity or complexity of the problem. Please do not hesitate to discuss our fees if you have any questions. There is no charge for your initial examination and pretreatment recall checkups. Most patients pay for orthodontics over the time of the treatment, financed monthly without interest. We present different financial options and payment arrangements for your convenience. Our fee covers all procedures completed in our office. We also accept MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover.

What about insurance?
If you have orthodontic insurance, we will file all necessary insurance forms as a courtesy to you. We ask that you bring one insurance form to our office with the patient section completed and signed. We can collect most insurances here at our office, therefore, you may also sign the benefit assignment box. While you are here, we can call your insurance company to help you determine your orthodontic benefits. Although plans do vary, orthodontics are typically paid at 50% with all deductions and maximums taken into account. We can answer any insurance questions while you are here at your appointment, or feel free to call our office anytime.