Braces FAQ

There are obviously cosmetic benefits to having your teeth straightened and when you look good, you usually feel good. It can improve the shape of your face, increase your confidence and bolster you self-esteem. However, a beautiful smile isn’t the only reason to have your teeth straightened. There are also health benefits including:

• Improved oral hygiene because straight teeth are easier to clean
• Reduced chance of abnormal tooth wear, which can eventually cause tooth loss due to damaged bones and gums
• Less likelihood of injuring protruding teeth
• Healthier gums
• Easier chewing for good health
• Reduces headaches and neck pain due to jaw misalignment
• Prevents unwanted changes in skeletal growth in the case of a crossbite

You’re never too old for orthodontic treatment and we see plenty of adults in our office with great success. However, the earlier you treat issues the easier they will be to fix. In some cases, early intervention can prevent the need for surgery and tooth extraction.

The Canadian and American Association of Orthodontists suggest that children schedule their first visit to an orthodontist no later than age seven. Why? Because a preventative and proactive approach can allow problems to be uncovered before they become serious, enabling faster and easier treatment.

This doesn’t mean your child will walk out of the office with braces. Dr. Lee will examine their mouth and if nothing is amiss, she’ll monitor the child until the time is right for treatment.

Of course not! A beautiful smile is right for all ages. More and more adults are seeking braces treatment and they’re often a good candidate for esthetic options like clear braces, lingual brace and Invisalign.

No referral is necessary. Just call and schedule your complimentary consultation. Contact us here.

The cost of braces varies by individual. It depends on a number of factors including how complex your case is, the duration of your treatment and the type of braces you decide upon. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Lee and she’ll conduct a complimentary exam and give you a price on braces treatment. We keep your budget in mind and devise a financial plan. We offer in-office, no interest financing and a variety of payment options.

If your dental insurance has Plan C this means it will cover a portion or all of your orthodontic treatment. Call your insurance company and be sure to ask about the percentage of coverage for orthodontic treatment as well as the lifetime limit. Our friendly staff can help you find out your coverage. Give us a call.

While many patients are understandably nervous about the braces procedure, it’s painless. Dr. Lee will explain the process in detail at your consultation so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

The appointment to get your braces put on takes between 45 minutes and an hour and a half. Dr. Lee kicks it off by polishing your teeth followed by applying a solution that gets them ready for the adhesive. When the adhesive is placed on the teeth, Dr. Lee then attaches the brackets, inserts the wire and you’re good to go. She’ll give you instructions and information for caring for your new braces before you leave.

You made it! We’ll congratulate you and then remove the brackets and wire using special tools. After, we polish and clean your teeth and you can admire you brand new smile.

It takes a while for the bone and tissues surrounding your teeth to settle into their new positions and a retainer is necessary to keep your bite stabilized and maintain all of the hard work of braces. If you don’t wear a retainer, your teeth may go back to the way they were. You’ll be so in love with your perfect smile, wearing a retainer to keep it that way won’t seem like a huge deal. Dr. Lee will give you instructions for wearing your retainer.