A milestone for many young adults, orthodontics builds confidence and brings out the best of their smiles.
Most children lose their baby teeth by the age of 13. Before they’ve even lost their last few baby teeth and have most of their adult teeth it’s pretty easy to tell where there will be over-crowding or where permanent teeth are coming in crooked. This is the best time to begin orthodontic treatment while they’re still settling in to their permanent adult smile.
As much as we love bringing out the natural beauty of a smile, orthodontic treatment is even more important for their oral health. Misaligned teeth and a crooked bite can be difficult to clean properly, feel uncomfortable and even cause aches and pains. With orthodontic treatment, these issues can be resolved in as little as 6 months.
Your teen might benefit from orthodontic treatment if they have:
There are many different treatment options available depending on the patient’s personal needs and their budget. Here are a few of the options that may be available:
With a typical insurance plan, Orthodontic treatment usually averages between $3000 and $5000+ out-of-pocket. After an oral exam, we would be happy to provide you with an accurate quote so you can find out how much your insurance plan will cover and what your actual out-of-pocket expenses would be. Without insurance, orthodontic treatment typically costs about $4000 to $6000+.
How do we actually determine the cost of your orthodontic treatment and why does it seem so expensive?
When considering the cost of orthodontics, there are a few things to consider:
Because every smile is so different, the only way to find out which treatment is the best solution and how much it will cost you out of pocket is to come in for a consultation. After an examination, a personalized treatment plan can be made t
Ideally, orthodontic treatment would occur in younger patients before most adult teeth have arrived. If you are a parent, we recommend bringing your teen in for a consultation. But don’t worry! There are orthodontic treatment options available for adults too! It’s never too late.
Braces do not hurt when they are first applied. After they begin to shift your teeth some discomfort may be felt. Most patients describe the feeling as more annoying than painful. That being said, if you have any pain or discomfort, let us know! There are solutions available to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Avoid food that might damage your braces (like candy apples, caramel, or corn on the cob) or may be difficult to clean out of braces (like caramel, gum and popcorn). You may also want to avoid sugary or acidic foods which will be more difficult than usual to clean off your teeth. Clear braces can become stained by some foods like beets, curry and kraft dinner.
Call us right away! Don’t wait until your next appointment.
Floss threaders and super floss are available and specially designed for flossing your braces or permanent retainers. We’d be happy to show you how to floss your braces at your next appointment.
For small changes, orthodontic treatment can be as short as 6 months but for the majority of patients, braces will stay on for between 6 months and 2 years. We can give you a more accurate estimate after an oral exam.