SIX MONTH SMILES
~WHAT IS IT:
-it is an orthodontic service that over 3000 dentists across the U.S. are providing to their patients, and we are now making it available as a treatment option to our patients
-it is a cosmetic, limited orthodontic treatment with the primarily goal of giving you, the patient, an attractive smile and straight teeth in approximately six months
(ASK YOURSELF, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE STRAIGHTER TEETH BY THE TIME OF YOUR NEXT CHECK-UP AND CLEANING?)
-it can take as long as 8-9 months or as short as 4 months, but the average treatment time is 6 months
-the orthodontic treatment is complete when you are happy with how your smile looks
-by straightening your teeth, it can make it easier for you to clean your teeth, and easier for Dr Sara and Dr Greg to restore your teeth
-it uses translucent braces and tooth colored wires so it is a very esthetic orthodontic treatment option
-it is 3-4 times faster than comprehensive orthodontic treatment
-it is cheaper than comprehensive orthodontic treatment
-in comparison to comprehensive orthodontic treatment
-the goal of comprehensive orthodontic treatment is to straighten your teeth AND get your bite as close to ideal as possible regardless of treatment time
-total treatment time can take years
-this is the IDEAL treatment for patients under the age of 16, or patients who cannot function properly or pain free with how their bite is, and need their bite changed
~WHO CAN BE TREATED WITH SIX MONTH SMILES:
-patients with
-crowded front teeth
-extra space between front teeth
-one or two top front teeth behind the bottom front teeth (a cross bite)
-healthy gums and no gingivitis or periodontitis
-who are over the age of 16 years old
~PATIENTS WHO ARE NOT A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SIX MONTH SMILES:
-patients whose chief complaint is a large over jet
-Six Month Smiles MAY decrease a large over jet, but if getting your over jet to an ideal measurement of 1mm is your main treatment goal, then the ideal orthodontic treatment is comprehensive orthodontic treatment
-patients whose chief complaint is their midline is off
-the ideal treatment to ensure that the midline discrepancy can be fixed, is comprehensive orthodontic treatment
-patients who want to change their facial profile
-the ideal treatment to change your facial profile is comprehensive orthodontic treatment
-patients who want to change their bite
-the ideal treatment to change your bite is comprehensive orthodontic treatment
~HOW DOES SIX MONTH SMILES COMPARE TO ALIGNERS/INVISALIGN:
-Six Month Smiles generally has a shorter treatment time
-aligners are not as good as Six Month Smiles at fixing a rotated tooth
-aligners are not as good as Six Month Smiles at changing the height of a tooth
~WHAT SHOULD THE PATIENT EXPECT DURING SIX MONTH SMILES TREATMENT:
-some patients might have minor discomfort during treatment, but most patients don’t complain
-if teeth are crowded, then during treatment we will do some polishing of the teeth to help decrease friction and allow them to slide into a straight position more quickly
-IT IS A SHORT TERM INCONVENIENCE FOR A LONG TERM CONVENIENCE
-it is an investment in a more attractive and esthetic smile
~BECAUSE THIS IS A “COSMETIC” TREATMENT OPTION, WILL MY INSURANCE COVER ANY PART OF THE COST:
-if your insurance plan covers orthodontic treatment on a patient your age, then yes, they should cover at least part of the cost of Six Month Smiles orthodontic treatment
~WHAT ARE OTHER COSMETIC TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR ME TO CONSIDER:
-veneers
-crowns
-bonding
-whitening (in office or at home)
-comprehensive orthodontic treatment
If you have any questions regarding Six Month Smiles as an orthodontic treatment option or about any of the other cosmetic treatment options, visit their website (www.sixmonthsmiles.com) or call our office (402-483-7000) or contact us via our website to set up a time to do an orthodontic consultation.