Braces

No, not for everyone. Many adults may be able to utilize ClearCorrect (a brand of dental aligners) to straighten their teeth. Also, there are other services for adults or older teens looking for a cosmetic result to make your front teeth straight. If this is the case, visit our Create A New Smile page for other options which are much faster than orthodontic treatment.

The fees for orthodontic records are approximately $230 to $350, then the braces vary depending on the complexity of the changes and estimated length of time to complete. The current range for braces is $2,800 to $6,000.

No, we offer payment plans for orthodontic care which include a down payment followed by monthly payments.

In some cases, yes. It depends on your plan. Also, some insurance plans cover orthodontic treatment but only for dependent children. We are happy to contact your dental insurance to determine if this service is covered and if there are any restrictions. Keep in mind that dental plans almost always have a lifetime maximum for orthodontic care, per covered person. So even if your plan covers 50% of orthodontics, if you have a lifetime maximum of $1,500, and your braces cost, say $4,000, then the insurance is not going to pay a full 50%; they will only pay $1,500 and you will be responsible for $2,500.

Before we put braces on your teeth, it is necessary to have orthodontic records done. This consists of photos, models of your teeth and a panoramic and a cephalometric X-ray which are reviewed by our dentist to develop a treatment plan. Typically, the records are made at one visit, then you return a week later for your orthodontic consultation. At this second visit, we will go over all the oral conditions which need correction and the plan for how they will be treated. The cost of your plan and the financial options, including any applicable dental benefits, will also be discussed at this visit. Once this is all done, you are ready to begin your treatment.

Typically, all of the brackets are bonded on your front teeth and premolars. In some cases, the bands which go around the molars are also fitted and cemented. But in most cases, “spacers” are placed between the molars to slightly move your teeth and make room for the bands to be placed. When spacers are used, you will return in a few days to a week for the fitting and cementing of the molar bands. Whether bands are placed on the first visit or not, the wire which fits into all the brackets will be secured using ties (the color of your choice).

In most cases, you will come in for monthly adjustments. There are special cases where this is too frequent, so we can accommodate patients who need six weeks between adjustments.

This will be discussed at your consultation visit. Each treatment plan is different, because the problems being corrected are different. The average time is about two years, but can be less or longer than that.

There are times (especially initially) when your teeth will be sore for days following adjustments, but not so severe that over-the-counter pain medication cannot relieve. We also recommend that you stay away from difficult-to-chew foods and extreme hots and colds during these times. Discomfort lessens the longer you are in the braces.

Yes. You will need to avoid very hard foods and extremely hard or sticky candies. Stay away from large nuts, toffee, caramels and gum, but also avoid biting directly into hard foods like apples, and instead cut them in smaller pieces. As far as habits go, do not chew on pencils, pens or anything similar as this will cause your brackets to snap off.

You will have an appointment to remove your braces after impressions have been taken to make a retainer. It is necessary following any orthodontic treatment to wear some form of a retainer. There will be different types you can chose from when you get to this stage. Typically, retainers are worn all the time immediately following treatment, then changed to nights, then to a few nights per week. To ensure your teeth do not shift back, you should minimally wear your retainers at least one night or one day each week, forever.