Orthodontic treatment is a complicated subject, and we receive many questions about it at our office in Bixby Knolls. We created this short guide to help answer the most common questions we receive. If you have a question not answered below, please contact our office. Our staff will be happy to help you!
Orthodontic treatment, or orthodontics for short, is any form of treatment designed to straighten your teeth, correct their alignment, or treat other facial or dental issues. It is officially called dentofacial orthopedics and is a specialized branch of dentistry requiring more training than general dentistry.
You might need orthodontics for any number of reasons. If your teeth are crooked or misaligned or crowded, for example, orthodontics can correct these issues. Treatment can also correct gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. These are just a few of the issues that can be treated by orthodontists!
Straightening your teeth is not just a cosmetic issue. Orthodontic treatment will improve the appearance of your smile, but dental irregularities affect your oral health, which in turn affects your overall health. Some of the health issues that can arise from untreated orthodontic issues include gum disease, TMJ, sore facial muscles, and chipped, cracked, or broken teeth.
Absolutely. Adults of any age can benefit from orthodontics. There is no arbitrary age cutoff. Both your health and the appearance of your smile will improve if you go through orthodontic treatment. While most orthodontic patients are children, roughly one-quarter are adults.
The types of treatments available today include traditional metal braces, Invisalign® clear aligners, and porcelain ceramic braces. Orthodontic care goes far beyond braces, however, and includes retainers and headgear. Your provider will determine which form of treatment is best in your particular case, but if you need braces, you can generally choose which form you prefer.
This depends on the nature and extent of your child’s orthodontic needs. Children as young as seven years old can begin orthodontic treatment if it is necessary. Treatment is more efficient in children as they are still growing, and their jawbone has not hardened.
Traditional metal braces are normally the fastest option, but this depends on your particular needs. Your orthodontic treatment may last as little as a few months or as long as three years, depending on how severe your needs are. You will find out how long your treatment will take when you come in for your consultation.
You will first visit our Bixby Knolls office for a consultation so that we can determine the best course of treatment for your needs. You will have x-rays and a thorough examination during your orthodontist will craft a treatment plan that is right for you. Once you settle on a treatment plan, we can arrange for a follow-up visit to begin treatment.
The majority of patients will not need any extractions before they can begin orthodontic treatment. If you do need extractions, it is generally because your mouth is overcrowded, and the extractions will make room for your teeth to spread out to a normal distance. Damaged teeth may also need to be extracted before you can begin treatment.
You can still have orthodontic treatment with preexisting restorative work. We will simply use a different type of adhesive to attach your braces to your crowns or implants than the one we use for natural teeth. If you have any restorative work that will complicate your orthodontic treatment, we will make adjustments to your treatment plan to account for them.
Insurance coverage for orthodontic treatment varies greatly. Some portion is usually covered by insurance for children. Adults may or may not have coverage that will pay for orthodontics. Our team will contact your insurance during your consultation and find out what your portion will be.
If your insurance will not cover any part of your treatment, you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars for your orthodontic work. The exact cost will depend on your individual needs. Dentist of Bixby Knolls offers payment arrangements and financing options to help you afford your dental care. Please ask our staff for more information if you are interested in these options.
Make an appointment for an orthodontic consultation with Dentist of Bixby Knolls today by calling (562) 287-5175.
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