Still have questions? Ask us at Superior Orthodontics
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics (also referred to as dentofacial orthopedics) is a specialized form of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities.
Who is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received two to three years of additional training and experience. As an orthodontist, I am able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure, and improve the look and function of your smile.
What’s the best age to visit the orthodontist?
If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great age to see the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist by the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens, with about one in every five orthodontic patients being over the age of 21. Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any time is a good time to visit our practice.
How can I take care of my teeth if I’m wearing braces or a retainer?
- ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day.
- Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your orthodontist or family dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities!
- If you take out your retainer to eat, make sure you brush your teeth, floss, and remember to keep it safe in its container so that it does not get lost or broken.
- Keep your retainer clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You may also soak it in denture cleaner as instructed by your orthodontist. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or in the dishwasher.
- During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the number of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and possibly cavities).
- Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes) or any foods that could possibly get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, soft bagels, ribs, taffy, etc.).
- Be sure to schedule your routine checkups with your family dentist. It is recommended that you continue to visit the dentist every six months.
What are braces?
We use braces to help you improve the look and feel of your smile. There are several different types of braces to choose from, including:
- Clear Braces
- Ceramic braces
- Gold braces
- Lingual braces
- Self-ligating braces
- Invisible braces
- Traditional metal braces
If I get braces, how long do I have to wear them?
The amount of time spent in braces will vary depending on the individual patient because every smile responds differently to treatment. Treatment times can take anywhere between six and thirty months, but most standard treatments take about 22 months.
Do braces hurt?
Braces do not often hurt though you may feel a small amount of discomfort for a couple days as your teeth, gums, cheeks, and mouth get used to your new braces.
Do I need to brush my teeth more often if I have braces?
With braces, you should brush your teeth at least three times a day to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and clean. Brushing regularly will help remove any food that may be caught between the braces. You should also floss daily to get in between your braces where your brush isn’t able to reach. I can show you how to properly brush and floss once your braces are placed.
If I have braces, do I still need dental checkups every six months?
Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up that can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with Fisher Orthodontics to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.
Will my braces interfere with my school activities like sports, playing and instrument, or singing?
Playing an instrument or a contact sport may require some adjustment when you first get your braces, but wearing braces will not stop you from participating in any of your school activities. If you play a contact sport, it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your braces or appliance.
How Much Do Braces Cost:
So what’s the bottom line, how much do braces cost? What about other forms of orthodontic treatment, like Clear Aligners?
In this age of Internet research and instant answers, we really wish we could give you a straight answer (see what we did there?) that applies equally to everybody across the board.
Unfortunately, the cost of orthodontics varies based on several factors:
- How complicated your case is
- Which treatment approach you select with your orthodontist
- How well you do at complying with your treatment plan
- Whether your insurance will help cover the cost of orthodontics
Your Options
We try hard to offer our patients more options to meet their orthodontic needs. From traditional metal braces, to clear ceramic braces, or even clear, removable, plastic aligners made by Invisalign, we offer a range of options, because no two patients are alike.
Within these categories, each have their pros and cons and associated costs.
- Traditional metal braces tend to cost the least and work the quickest.
- Clear ceramic braces can be slightly more expensive and a little harder to keep clean (but worth it to professionals who like their unobtrusive look).
- Invisalign is typically the most expensive way to do orthodontics, and it’s only available for adults and teens, but our patients love that the clear aligners are barely visible and easy to use.
If you schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our talented orthodontists, we can decide together with you which treatment option to pursue and discuss the estimated costs associated with that plan.
Cost vs. Value
While you probably care a lot about what braces cost, don’t forget about the long-term value that top-quality orthodontics can provide.
When executed with true expertise and maintained with good habits on your part, orthodontics can last a lifetime.
- How do you put a price on a lifetime of improved self-esteem that comes from loving your smile?
- Orthodontics can improve your overall dental health, helping some patients avoid cavities and tooth loss.
- Orthodontics can also help patients avoid chronic oral problems that sometimes lead to serious spin-off issues like malnutrition, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
If you do your research, no doubt you’ll find a range of prices for orthodontic services. Why go with us?
We truly believe that we offer more value for the price we charge, and that value comes down to our orthodontists’ experience, their commitment to lifelong learning, and our heavy investment in cutting-edge technology. That’s how we can ensure beautiful, lasting results.