Traditional Orthodontics – New Britain, CT
Straightening Smiles with Expert Care
Starting at age 7, we recommend that your child visits us for an orthodontic evaluation, where Dr. Meghan Alexander will check their alignment and bite. Crooked teeth in children can cause numerous health and self-esteem issues, which is why we offer traditional orthodontics in New Britain. These braces are personalized to each smile, giving your son or daughter what they need to achieve a perfectly straight set of teeth. Keep reading to learn about traditional braces and their benefits.
How Do Braces Work?
Traditional braces are devices that are placed directly on your teeth in order to shift them into alignment. Besides the alignment of your smile, braces also work to help your teeth fit together more comfortably. Braces consist of brackets that are bonded to your teeth, which are connected to a metal wire. Dr. Alexander tightens this wire to straighten your teeth. There are other parts of braces that can be employed depending on your needs, such as rubber bands for bite as well as other expansion devices.
Dr. Alexander will place braces on your son or daughter’s teeth, where they will follow her directions closely for successful treatment. About once a month, your child will visit our practice for adjustments to progress their treatment. After their teeth have shifted into the desired position, we will give your child a retainer to ensure that their newly straight smile remains aligned.
What are the Benefits of Traditional Braces?
Traditional braces can bring your son or daughter many benefits, but here are some key advantages:
- Versatility: Traditional braces can be used to treat numerous alignment and bite issues, making them incredibly versatile.
- Strength: Metal is incredibly strong, and the brackets are permanently bonded to your teeth for a strong orthodontic solution.
- Affordability: Braces tend to be the cheapest orthodontic option.
- Variety: Traditional braces now come in various colors so your kids can choose their style for a more enjoyable experience.
- Wear: Because they are permanently fastened to your child’s teeth, you won’t have to worry about whether or not they’re keeping up with their treatment.
Candidates for Braces
Because braces can fix a wide-variety of alignment and bite issues, most people are candidates for them. However, the only way to know for sure is to book an appointment with Dr. Alexander. She will carefully examine your kid’s smile to see whether or not they could benefit from traditional orthodontics. She will check their bite, alignment, and any other preexisting oral health issues before developing a personalized treatment plan. While your kids may get nervous about the thought of orthodontics, Dr. Alexander is experienced in providing friendly, comfortable, and fun dental and orthodontic services for her child patients.
Understanding the Cost of Traditional Braces
Many parents know upfront that the cost of traditional braces can be an investment. However, what if you’re looking for a specific price range? If that’s the case, then we recommend calling our New Britain orthodontic team to schedule an appointment. That way, we can learn more about your child’s specific dental needs and provide you with a detailed estimate. If, on the other hand, you want to learn more general information – such as the factors that influence the price – then you can also read on to learn more!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces
There’s a reason each treatment plan is unique – each smile is unique! To determine how to best move your child’s teeth from where they are now to where they should be, we need to first take X-rays and conduct a detailed exam. In the process, we will determine important information that influences the cost, such as how severe their misalignment is, if both arches of teeth need to be straightened, and if rubber bands or any other orthodontic accessories are needed. From there, we can discuss the financial side of your child’s treatment, starting with an estimate of the cost.
Professional Braces vs. "DIY" Braces: Which Costs More?
Professional braces almost always cost more. However, they are also still the best investment, especially when it comes to something as important as the look, health, and function of your child’s smile. After all, alternatives to traditional orthodontics usually cut corners, like not conducting a thorough exam upfront or creating treatment plans from DIY impressions. In fact, professional organizations, like the American Dental Association, don’t recommend these teeth-straightening services for that very reason!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?
Sometimes! In cases where braces are deemed “medically necessary,” dental insurance providers typically cover a portion of the cost. Of course, there are exceptions since every plan is different. That’s why we encourage our patients to familiarize themselves with their benefits and reach out to their provider directly with any questions that come up along the way. As always, our team is also here to help, so don’t hesitate to call if you need some help navigating the financial side of your child’s orthodontic treatment.
Options for Making Braces Affordable
In addition to welcoming dental insurance and Husky Healthcare, we are also proud to welcome flexible financing with LendingPoint. In short, this allows you to space out your payments into manageable chunks. This means that orthodontic treatment can fit into nearly every family’s budget! After all, there are even some plans that don’t require a down payment. If you have a question about this financial solution, you can reach out to our team – we’re here to help.
Traditional Braces FAQs
Any questions you have about traditional braces are welcome here. With that said, we know that some patients like doing some research before their appointments as well. So, we’ve dedicated this next section to answering FAQs about this tried-and-true orthodontic treatment!
Do Traditional Braces Hurt?
To be honest, some soreness is to be expected. After all, your child’s teeth are moving into completely new positions! With that said, there are several ways you can effectively alleviate any discomfort that does arise. First, we recommend sticking to soft foods immediately following the adjustment appointments. Second, use dental wax to cover any sharp edges of the braces. Third, take an OTC pain reliever as directed.
Am I Too Old to Get Braces?
If you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, or even 70s, you shouldn’t let your age stop you from scheduling a consultation. At this appointment, we can assess the state of your oral health, assess the complexity of your case, learn more about your lifestyle, and determine if you’re a good candidate for braces. If you are, then we will review the treatment options we recommend, provide you with an estimate of the cost, and share the financial solutions available to make the cost affordable.
What Happens After You Get Your Braces Off?
After we take your child’s braces off (which is a completely painless process), we will take impressions of their teeth so we can make their retainer. This orthodontic device plays a crucial role in preventing orthodontic relapse, which is when teeth begin to move back into their previous, misaligned positions. For that reason, we recommend wearing it every night. If a few of your child’s teeth were more difficult to move, we may even recommend wearing it around the clock for the first few months. Ultimately, the guidelines we provide will depend entirely on their specific situation.
How Can I Reduce the Cost of Traditional Braces?
If you’re worried that you’ll have to pay for the cost of braces entirely out-of-pocket, you’ll be happy to know that we offer several financial solutions. To begin, we welcome dental insurance. If you’re currently insured, then it’s important to read through the fine print on your plan to see if your provider covers a portion of the cost. We also welcome payment plans with LendingPoint, which is a trusted third-party financier. That means that you won’t have to pay for the entire cost in one lump sum. Instead, you can break the price up into smaller chunks that fit within your monthly budget.
Can I Chew Gum with Traditional Braces?
We strongly recommend not chewing gum with braces. In short, the sticky consistency can pull a bracket or wire out of place and, if this happens, your child needs to visit our New Britain orthodontist ASAP. That’s why we recommend opting for a sugar-free mint instead!