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How Braces Support Your Smile beyond Your Looks
When considering orthodontic treatment, many people think about the cosmetic improvements gained by a straighter smile. It’s certainly true that braces or clear aligners will make you look great, but did you know that there are even more benefits? Here are just a few ways that orthodontic treatment can make you healthier and improve your quality of life.
Decreases Cavities
Straightening your teeth can make a difference in your oral health. In fact, studies have shown that those who have received orthodontic treatment are less likely to have cavities. As the American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) notes, straighter teeth are simply easier to keep clean. Crowded or crooked teeth that are harder to clean can leave you at risk for tooth decay and periodontal disease, which can potentially lead to more — sometimes costly — treatment down the road.
Improves Speech
Those with orthodontic problems sometimes experience difficulties with speech articulation. As one study notes, bite issues such as overbites and overjets can often interfere with the positioning of the tongue or lips needed to form certain letter sounds. Braces or clear aligners may help to alleviate these issues.
Supports Eating Habits
When your teeth are not properly aligned, it can affect how you eat. For example, with open bites, your front or back teeth do not properly come together like they should, which can make it hard to bite and chew your food. As the AAO tells us, the goal of orthodontic treatment is to ensure the teeth and jaws line up in the right way. When that is the case, the force created to bite or chew food is evenly distributed, making it much easier to eat.
Supports Jaw Growth
According to the AAO, certain types of bites, such as crossbites, can lead to abnormal jaw growth, including a lopsided jaw or a jaw that shifts to one side. Beyond cosmetic concerns, such issues can cause jaw pain and wear on the tooth enamel. The AAO recommends taking care of crossbites at a younger age, while the face and jaw are still developing.
As you can see, orthodontic treatment is more than simply a cosmetic concern. Have more questions? Schedule a free consultation today to chat with one of our orthodontists.
Kick Off the New Year with a Straighter Smile
Another year is upon us, and what better way to kick off 2022 than with a new smile? Straightening your smile can boost your confidence while supporting your oral health — there are even a few financial benefits! A straighter smile is actually more accessible than you think.
Insurance Coverage
Many dental insurance providers include orthodontic treatment as part of their plans. As Cigna explains, some plans offer discounts on orthodontic treatment while others include a lifetime maximum amount. Unlike an annual maximum, which resets every year, a lifetime maximum is the total amount of money you can use toward orthodontic treatment for the life of the plan. Many patients do not use their orthodontic coverage, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of the benefits available to you! It’s always a good idea to ask your insurance provider for all the specifics on what your plan covers to make sure you are fully informed.
HSA and FSA
Another option for covering orthodontic treatment is through a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Patients can contribute earnings to HSAs or FSAs and then use that money for healthcare expenses. We are pleased to offer both types of payment options.
Other Ways to Pay
For patients without insurance, savings are still possible with our Smiles360 Dental Savings Club. Members receive 10% off orthodontic treatment. As well, preventative care at our Mortenson Family Dental, Kid’s Dentistree and Abbeville Dentistry sister practices is included at no additional cost. There are also generous discounts on a variety of dental treatments.
In addition to Smiles360, we also offer in-office financing options and accept CareCredit. Visit our payment options page for more information.
Contact Us Today
Make your smile a priority in 2022! If you have any questions about treatment options available or would like to schedule a free consultation, contact us any time.
October is National Orthodontic Health Month!
October is National Orthodontic Health Month! It’s the perfect time to think about whether orthodontic treatment is right for you or a member of your family. Our very own Dr. Raina Chandiramani recently spoke with WHAS11 News’ “Great Day Live” to talk about the right time to see an orthodontist and some of the signs to watch for in children. Check it out!
We offer a range of professional orthodontic services for children, teens and adults, including traditional metal braces, clear braces and even clear aligners. Give us a call today: we’ll help you find the best option for your smile!
Can orthodontic treatment really save you money?
Cost is often the first thought that comes to mind when someone learns they need orthodontic treatment. It seems like a big investment and, oftentimes, the full spectrum of benefits may not be clear. What does it matter if teeth are a bit crooked? Or if they aren’t properly aligned? What many are surprised to discover is, not only does it matter, but opting for orthodontic treatment can actually save you money in the long run! Keep reading to learn how straightening your teeth can financially benefit you.
Straighter teeth are cleaner teeth.
Straighter teeth are easier to keep clean! As the American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) emphasizes, it can be difficult to clean in between and around teeth that are crooked, increasing the risk for tooth decay and periodontal disease. More dental problems means more frequent trips to the dentist for treatment, which means more dental fees.
Correcting abnormal bites can prevent a variety of problems.
Sometimes the top and lower teeth and/or jaw don’t align properly, creating bite issues such as an overbites, underbites, or protrusion. An uneven bite may cause your teeth to wear down quickly in certain areas, causing tooth decay and/or requiring expensive treatments like crowns, bridges and implants. Abnormal bites can even cause a number of non-dental problems, including speech issues, headaches, and sleep apnea, any of which may require expensive treatment outside the dental office. Getting bite issues corrected early can prevent or treat these problems and save you money down the road.
Consider the long-term advantages.
While orthodontic treatment will certainly give you a more confident and healthier smile, it can also save you money. Orthodontic treatment is an investment that will benefit you for a lifetime. Along with accepting most major insurance plans, we have a number of flexible payment options available to help you make that investment. We offer in-office financing and accept CareCredit and HSA/FSA. In addition, members of the Smiles360 Dental Discount Club also receive 10% off orthodontic treatment!
If you are considering orthodontic treatment, keep in mind the long-term financial benefits that straighter teeth can offer. Want to schedule a free consultation? Contact us today!
Why do you need to wear a retainer after your braces come off?
Many patients wonder why they are told to wear a retainer after their braces have been removed. After all, weren’t the braces there to straighten your teeth? That’s why it’s important to understand the purpose and benefits of retainers, and how the success of your overall treatment depends on your commitment to wearing one.
What are retainers?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) explains that a retainer is a fixed or removable appliance worn after braces are removed or aligner therapy is complete. Removable retainers can be made out of wire or a clear, plastic-like material. Fixed retainers stay on your teeth until they are removed by your orthodontist. You and your orthodontist will discuss the type of retainer that works best for your particular situation.
According to the AAO, retainers allow the bone surrounding your teeth to rebuild while keeping them from shifting out of position after braces are removed. Many people wear removable retainers nightly for the rest of their lives. That’s why here at BracesBracesBraces, we say nighttime for a lifetime!
What’s the best way to care for my retainers?
The AAO offers several tips for how you can take care of your retainers. Importantly, always keep a removable retainer in its case when you are not wearing it. Never leave it loose in a purse, on a heat source, or within a dog’s reach. Both fixed and removable retainers should also be kept clean. Your orthodontist will give you instructions on the best ways to do this, which may include using an interproximal brush or avoiding certain foods or drinks.
Questions? Contact us today!
Retainers will help to preserve the beautiful smile you achieved with your braces or aligners, so it is important to wear them as prescribed. If you have any questions or concerns about wearing a retainer, or would like to schedule a consultation, contact us today!
Celebrate National Dentist’s Day this Saturday!
Saturday, March 6 is National Dentist’s Day! Celebrated annually, National Dentist’s Day is an opportunity to show appreciation for the dentists and dental specialists who keep our mouths healthy, including general dentists, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and prosthodontists. As part of our celebration, we’ve combed history to recognize a few of the very first dentists and dental specialists.
First Dentist of Ancient History
The first recorded dentist, Hesy-Ra, lived and worked in Ancient Egypt around 2600 BC. He was known as the “Chief of Dentists” and was a person of high distinction under the pharaoh. According to New World Encyclopedia, the inscription on Hesy-Ra’s tomb reads, “The greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians.”
First Women Dentists
Did you know that March is Women’s History Month? Women have played a vital role in dentistry. Emeline Roberts Jones was the first woman to practice dentistry in the United States. Since women were not allowed to enter dental school at the time, Jones secretly provided dental services until her husband allowed her to join his dental practice in 1855. Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first woman to actually graduate from a dental school, earning her degree from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery in 1866.
First Pediatric Dentist
Another noteworthy woman in dental history is M. Evangeline Jordon, the first dentist to specialize in pediatric patients. Jordon began her career as a teacher and worked summers as a dental assistant, but eventually devoted herself to dentistry full-time, limiting her practice entirely to children in 1909. Jordon aimed to find methods for reducing children’s fear of going to the dentist. She also wrote and lectured on the importance of proper oral hygiene habits for kids.
First Orthodontists
While there is evidence that orthodontics has been around since ancient times, two French dentists are credited with progressing the field to where it is today. Pierre Fauchard developed a device called the “blandeau” in 1728, which helped to expand the mouth arch. Later, Louis Bourdet, who was dentist to the King of France, perfected the blandeau and was the first dentist to recommend extracting premolar teeth to ease crowding and to improve jaw growth. A century later, American Edward Hartley Angle developed the first classification system of malocclusion and the first school of orthodontia, establishing orthodontics as a specialty distinct from general dentistry.
First Oral Surgeon
Simon P. Hullihen is regarded as the “father” of oral surgery. Graduating as a medical doctor, he specialized in treating problems of the mouth and head, performing over 1,100 operations using instruments he invented himself.
First Prosthodontist
The practice of prosthodontics goes back to ancient times, when ancient Egyptians used gold wire to stabilize and replace missing teeth. However, the birth of modern implantology is often credited to Italian Manilo Formiggini, who developed a spiral stainless steel implant that allowed bone to grow onto the metal.
This National Dentist’s Day, give thanks to dental specialists for the important work they do to help keep our mouths healthy. If it’s time for your check-up, be sure to contact us.