The Basic Process of Getting Braces

Getting your teeth straightened with braces can be quite a lengthy process. Without knowing what you’re getting yourself into, it can be stressful to start the procedure. Continue reading to learn what you can expect from getting braces.

An Initial Consultation

Before anything is even attached to your teeth, you’ll have an initial consultation with your orthodontist. This is an initial appointment in which the orthodontist will look at your teeth, your dental history, your goals, and any concerns you may have about the treatment. You can discuss the entirety of the process in length, and your orthodontist will address any of your concerns. 

Once they’ve had a good look at your dental history, they’ll be able to recommend the best treatment option for your needs–as well as your budget. Many orthodontists offer a variety of services that all give you the results you want but can fit your different needs, as well. They’ll also discuss payment options with you during your consultation.

The Treatment Period

After your initial consultation, your next appointment will likely be to install your braces. The timeline may vary depending on whether or not you need spacers or other pre-treatments. After you’ve gotten your brackets and wires attached, you’ll come back to your orthodontist every 4-8 weeks for tightening and to check on your progress. The regular tightening of the wires is what moves your teeth into the correct position. 

Nevertheless, there may be other reasons to visit your orthodontist during treatment. For example, as careful as you may be, you may break a wire or bracket. When that happens, you’ll need to see your orthodontist as quickly as possible to correct the issue and get you back on track. The length of your braces treatment varies greatly but averages from 18-24 months.

Removal and Upkeep

Once your teeth and jaw have been shifted into the correct position, you can finally remove your braces. However, even without braces, the process isn’t quite over yet. If you don’t perform the proper upkeep, you run the risk of your teeth returning to their original positions and having to get braces all over again. After getting your braces removed, you’ll be fitted for a retainer which will either be worn while you sleep at night or will be permanently fixed to your teeth. Wearing this allows your teeth to remain straight.

Getting braces can be nerve-wracking, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Learning about the process beforehand can help you feel more prepared. If you have any other questions, be sure to contact your local orthodontic office. 

McAllister Orthodontics have been helping their patients feel comfortable and empowered in their braces since they opened. Click here to look at their treatment options, and request your initial consultation today!

What to Expect on Your First Orthodontic Visit

When you first get an appointment to see your orthodontist, the unknown can make anyone nervous. You’ve likely never experienced an orthodontist’s office before, and you may not know what to expect. Read on to learn what you can expect on your first orthodontic visit.

Look in Your Mouth

To properly determine the treatment you’ll need, one of the first things your orthodontist will need to do in your initial visit is to look at your teeth, gums and jaws.  To help the orthodontist have a more comprehensive look at your mouth, an orthodontic assistant will first take photos of your face and mouth from various angles, as well as an x-ray, and in some cases a scan to create digital models.  Then prior to meeting you, the doctor will review all of these records, so that he can identify general orthodontic problem areas that need to be reviewed and addressed.  This is when you will meet the orthodontist, who will review your dental history and discuss with you any specific things that you’d like fixed in regards to your smile. This is your opportunity to let them know about the things that bother you or that you would like to change about your smile. It will be important to let your orthodontist know If you struggle with jaw pain, get a lot of cavities in certain areas, or have other oral health concerns.  After doing all of this, your orthodontist will look in your mouth and use all of the gathered information to create a diagnosis and a comprehensive plan of what treatment you should receive.

Discuss Treatment Options

After your orthodontist has determined any issues your teeth have, they will then be able to discuss treatment options with you. Depending on your orthodontist, you’ll have a variety of treatment options that can offer you different benefits. McAllister Orthodontics has a wide variety of treatment options that your orthodontist will discuss with you in your initial appointment. It’s also important to listen to your orthodontist’s recommendations at this time. They know these treatment options and all of their pros and cons so they will be able to recommend the one that best suits your wants, needs, and budget. After settling on a treatment plan, it’s time to get started, and in an attempt to be convenient to you, McAllister Orthodontics makes time to start the same day.  If a same-day start doesn’t work for your schedule, the treatment coordinator will set up your next appointment during this time, scheduling a time to get started with your braces or aligners..

Payment Options

It is common knowledge that orthodontic treatment can be  pricey. While the transformational results of orthodontic treatment are well worth the cost, it can be daunting for many people to figure out how to pay for it.  At your initial consultation, the orthodontic treatment coordinator will help you figure out a payment plan that works for you. They will also help you file for any benefits your dental insurance may provide. At McAllister Orthodontics, we are well known for our flexible financing, and our willingness to help our patients and their families find a way to afford treatment.

Your initial appointment with your orthodontist helps you get everything in order to begin your treatment.  There is no reason to be nervous about your initial appointment.  This will be an exciting visit, and you will be able to accomplish a lot.  Text or call McAllister Orthodontics at 402-392-1516 to set up an appointment today!

McAllister Orthodontics wants to make orthodontic treatment affordable and accessible for all residents of the greater Omaha metropolitan area.  We take great care of patients from Arlington, Ashland,  Blair, Bellevue, Bennington, Cedar Bluffs, Columbus, Council Bluffs, Fort Calhoun, Fremont, Gretna, La Vista, Louisville,  Millard, Missouri Valley, Norfolk, North Bend, Oakland, Papillion, Schuyler, Springfield, Valley, Wahoo, Waterloo, West Point, Yutan and more!  Click here to learn more, and set up your appointment today!

How to Pay for Your Braces

If you’re considering getting braces for yourself or a loved one, one likely concern you may have relates to the price of treatment. Braces can be expensive, and paying for treatment may be difficult. If you’re worried about how to pay for your braces, consult the list of tips below.

Monthly Payment Plan

One of the best ways to pay for your braces is by breaking up the cost into smaller monthly payments. One big sum can be overwhelming for anyone to consider paying, which is why breaking it up into a monthly amount makes it much more manageable. When you first meet with your orthodontist, they’ll be able to discuss whatever payment options work best for you. You can break up the total into a monthly sum that is more manageable for you and your budget. You’ll also be able to know how long it will take you to fully pay off your child’s braces. If you can manage a slightly higher monthly payment, you’ll be able to pay off the full cost more quickly.

Dental Insurance

Many people find financial help when paying for their braces through dental insurance. Dental insurance is a separate type of health insurance that can help individuals cover the costs of different dental health needs. Besides just your regular dental visits, dental insurance can also cover the costs of your orthodontic treatment. This is also something you’ll be able to discuss with your orthodontist during your initial consultation. They’ll let you know how much of the cost will be covered by your insurance, Then, you’ll be able to determine the proper payment procedure for the rest of the cost.

HSA / FSA

As much as your dental insurance coverage can help you pay for your braces, it can’t always do everything. If your dental insurance has a high deductible, or if it doesn’t cover much of the treatment cost, you could benefit from an HSA or FSA. These are health savings and flexible savings accounts created to help people cover medical costs that aren’t covered by insurance. If you have one of these accounts, you can contribute a set amount of money each month which you can have in the case of medical costs. This allows you to use this money for any extra costs not covered by insurance. Having one of these accounts in place can be incredibly helpful for making the price of braces a little more manageable.

Paying for braces is a major concern for most people considering braces. It’s fairly well-known that orthodontic treatment can be expensive, and that can cause some hesitation among those who need it. However, the benefits are well worth any expense–so, make things less stressful for yourself by considering these payment options.

The professionals at McAllister Orthodontics know the importance of helping every patient feel empowered and strengthened through their treatment. Click here to learn more about how they do this, and request an appointment today!

Orthodontic Options You Can Choose From

What many people don’t realize when going to an orthodontist, is that there are many different treatment options they can choose from. If you don’t want traditional braces, there are other treatment options that when provided by an experienced provider can give you the same  results. Read on to learn more.

Traditional Braces

The first option you can choose for orthodontic treatment is traditional braces. This is the tried and true, metal and brackets treatment option that can help you straighten your teeth and correct other dental issues.  This option is best if you have severe orthodontic problems  such as bite issues, and severely crooked teeth.  Traditional braces especially excel in the finishing stages of treatment, and may reduce treatment time by using fewer wires than self-ligating braces.  The consistent forces associated with bonded braces remove some of the variability of removable treatments like aligners, increasing the likelihood you will complete your treatment on time and have the straightest teeth possible. Traditional braces are also the most fun, as you can personalize them with colored bands or different bracket shapes. 

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-Ligating Braces like Damon Smile are a newer technology than traditional braces. This treatment option also has brackets and wires like traditional braces, but there are a few advances that may improve your treatment. One of these improvements is a high-tech archwire, with variable pressure between anterior and posterior segments that puts more targeted pressure on your teeth than traditional wires. Damon Smile also doesn’t require any elastic or metal ties to keep your braces in place. These factors may help you achieve the results you want in less time. Damon Smile may also allow you to go longer between orthodontist appointments in the first half of treatment which may result in fewer appointments.

Invisalign

In the past several years, Invisalign has become a popular orthodontic treatment option. This is a great option that can be helpful for those who want a less visible option than braces. Invisalign has been proven to treat a wide variety of orthodontic issues and can be completed more quickly than traditional braces in certain  cases, as well. Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is the fact that they are clear and removable. These aligners are removed whenever you eat, allowing you to eat all the foods you can’t have with braces like sticky caramels, hard chips, popcorn, and corn on the cob.

When you decide to go through orthodontic treatment, it’s important to realize that you have many different treatment options. Do some research for yourself before meeting with your orthodontist to see what treatment options they offer. Once you meet with your orthodontist, they’ll be able to help you determine which option will work best for you.

McAllister Orthodontics wants to help every patient make the best treatment choice for them. With a wide variety of treatment options, McAllister Orthodontics can help you have the best treatment experience possible. Click here to learn more!