Traditional Metal Braces – Dallas, TX
Reliable, Effective Way to Straighten Teeth
Despite new treatments and technology, traditional orthodontic treatment with metal braces continues to be a popular method of correcting misaligned teeth. Why? To put it simply, braces work! Unlike Invisalign, traditional metal braces from our Lakewood orthodontist can be used to treat even severe cases for patients of all ages. At Lakewood Orthodontics, we are proud to offer both newer and more traditional treatments. That way, we’re sure to find a method that meets everyone’s unique needs.
Why Choose Lakewood Orthodontics for Traditional Metal Braces?
- Dependable Orthodontic Treatment
- Insurance Accepted
- Children, Teens, and Adults Welcome
How Do Traditional Braces Work?
You know that traditional braces can correct a wide range of orthodontic issues – from minor spacing to severe overcrowding – but how exactly do they work? In short, a bracket is carefully adhered to each tooth, and they are connected by an archwire and elastics. The resulting tension places just enough pressure on your teeth to gently and gradually guide them into their ideal positions!
What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix
There’s a key reason traditional orthodontics continue to be popular: they can address both minor and severe cases of malocclusion. As a result, they can be used to correct:
Bite Misalignment
Overbites, underbites, and crossbites are all orthodontic issues that can negatively impact your bite, your confidence, and your speech. With traditional braces in Lakewood, our talented orthodontist can improve your bite and alignment, boosting your chewing habits, confidence, and speaking patterns.
Crowded & Crooked Teeth
Overlapping teeth can easily harbor food particles, plaque, and other debris that are difficult to remove while you’re brushing and flossing. Plus, the uneven bite can result in chronic teeth grinding and, subsequently, premature wear. The good news is that braces can incrementally move your teeth, which will improve the health and appearance of your smile!
Gapped Teeth
Spaced-out teeth come with aesthetic and functional drawbacks. Fortunately, braces can seamlessly close the gaps, improve your bite, and improve your confidence!
Caring for Your Braces
Like your teeth and gums, your braces need to be cared for. One of the best things to do is set yourself up for success by purchasing all of the right supplies, like an interproximal toothbrush and pre-threaded floss. It’s also a good idea to avoid habits that have the potential to break a bracket or wire, like chewing on ice or biting your nails.
When undergoing orthodontic treatment, many patients worry about how their diet will have to change as a result. Thankfully, there’s still a wide variety of foods you can enjoy worry-free, including most dairy products, bread items, grains, meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, and sweet treats. We do strongly recommend, though, that you avoid particularly chewy foods, crunchy foods, sticky foods, hard foods, or foods that require some force to bite into, such as apples or corn on the cob, which can be cut into smaller pieces before eating.
Last but not least, make sure to wear a mouthguard if you play any sports so that your braces and teeth can be protected against potential damage. If an injury does occur, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Simon right away here at Lakewood Orthodontics.
Benefits of Traditional Braces
Although traditional braces are more noticeable than other treatments such as Invisalign, they have several benefits. Because the braces are attached to the teeth, you also don’t have to worry about losing or misplacing them when you eat or drink. Although the concept of traditional braces is the same, improvements in the materials make this treatment more comfortable than ever before.
Understanding the Cost of Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are one of the most common orthodontic treatments due to their proven effectiveness and budget-friendly price tag. With them, you’ll be able to not only straighten your smile to improve its appearance, but also boost your oral health, reducing your risk of needing treatments for common problems associated with misalignment, like cavities and gum disease. Our team values transparency and will provide you with a detailed cost estimate at your consultation, and if you have any questions or concerns, never hesitate to let us know!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces
With braces, there’s no singular price tag associated with treatment because the cost will be dependent on a variety of factors that will be determined once Dr. Simon has examined your mouth. Your personalized plan will be based on the following:
- The complexity of the orthodontic problems you face.
- Whether you need to correct one or both arches.
- The length of your orthodontic treatment.
- Any additional necessary accessories, like elastic bands, headgear, etc.
- How many check-in visits you’ll need.
- Whether you stay on-track with your treatment timeline by following your orthodontist’s recommendations and guidance.
Professional Braces vs. “DIY” Braces: Which Costs More?
While the cost of orthodontic treatment is by no means “cheap,” it provides life-changing benefits and is clinically proven to do what it promises. However, today, more people are turning to alternative DIY methods of treatment or mail-in aligners. While these may be less expensive at first, they often lead to worsening misalignment and a higher risk of oral health issues, resulting in hefty dental bills to fix. The American Dental Association also warns against these treatments due to the dangers they present.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?
While dental insurance plans can vary greatly, many will cover the cost of traditional braces for those under 18 years old, or in some cases, adults. To find out more about your coverage, you’ll need to contact your provider directly.
At Lakewood Orthodontics, we’re happy to file insurance claims on your behalf to help maximize your benefits and spare you any extra hassle or stress. If you have questions about your plan, our team of experienced professionals may also be able to help answer them!
Options for Making Braces More Affordable
In addition to accepting dental insurance, we also offer financing through Lending Club. This trusted, third-party financer allows you to split the cost of your treatment into small monthly payments with little-to-no interest. If you don’t qualify or would prefer financing your treatment through us, we also offer that! Just ask our team for more details at your next appointment.
Traditional Braces FAQs
Do you believe that you or a family member could benefit from traditional braces? Your orthodontist in Lakewood is here to help! However, before you contact us to schedule your consultation, you may want to learn more about treatment and what you can expect from it. That is why we have compiled the following brief list of frequently asked questions, along with their answers. If you don’t see the information you were hoping for, please give us a call so we can personally assist you.
Can Braces Damage My Teeth?
Your braces will not directly harm your teeth. However, you should always bear in mind the need for diligent oral hygiene. If you do not thoroughly brush and floss, food debris may get stuck around your braces and increase your risk of developing cavities. If you have any questions about how to properly clean your teeth while you are going through your treatment, our team will be happy to provide personalized coaching.
How Long Will I Need to Wear Braces?
Total treatment time varies from patient to patient. To a large extent, how long you will have to wear braces depends on the initial alignment of your teeth and bite. Dr. Simon will be able to give you an estimate of how long your treatment will take after she has an opportunity to examine your smile. On average, braces take 18 – 24 months to finish their work.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?
Some dental insurance policies cover braces, while others do not. We’re happy to help check the specifics of your policy to see how it applies. Commonly, dental plans that cover braces pay for about 50 percent of their cost, up to the amount of the plan’s lifetime maximum. For many patients, their insurance reduces their out of pocket cost by several hundred dollars.
How Often Will I Need to Visit My Orthodontist’s Office?
Most patients need to visit us every seven weeks or so. At these appointments, Dr. Simon will check on your treatment’s progress and tighten your braces so they can continue to shift your teeth in the right direction. In most cases, these visits are brief and take less than twenty minutes.
What Should I Do if Something Goes Wrong with My Braces?
If a wire on your braces begins to protrude or you experience another problem, give us a call right away. We will do our best to make time in our schedule to attend to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can try to bend a broken wire back against your teeth and place some orthodontic wax to reduce any discomfort it is causing.
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