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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, and ATM cards.
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.
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