Braces
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Braces in Poway, CA
A straighter smile can not only give you a beautiful smile but improve your oral health and overall quality of life. At Midland Orthodontics in Poway, CA, we provide various treatment options, including tried-and-true traditional metal braces. Here’s what you should know about straightening your teeth with braces before scheduling your consultation.
What are Traditional Metal Braces?
Traditional braces are metal brackets fixed to the teeth’s front surface. A wire is threaded through each bracket and tightened at various intervals throughout treatment. By manipulating the wire, your orthodontist can place pressure on different areas of the teeth and bite to gradually bring the teeth into the proper position.
Traditional braces work in two stages: first, the tooth is moved, and then its root moves along to catch up. Along the way, elastic bands are placed on specific brackets to help achieve the correct bite.
Are Traditional Braces Better Than Invisalign?
No matter how difficult the treatment is, traditional braces remain the most powerful method for moving teeth and correcting misaligned jaws and bites. Traditional braces can achieve a better result than Invisalign in many cases because traditional braces have more force and control over all teeth to move teeth into the desired perfect position. Invisalign is limited in terms of how many teeth can be moved at a time, so Invisalign is generally not recommended for more complex treatments. With that said, patients who are great candidates for Invisalign can achieve the same excellent results as traditional metal braces and even accomplish these results in a faster treatment time. Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Yoo at Midland Orthodontics to determine which orthodontic treatment system is best for you.
Are Braces Faster Than Invisalign?
Every case is different. Total orthodontic treatment time depends on how many teeth need to be moved or rotated. The type of correction required influences whether traditional braces or Invisalign is faster. For the right candidate, Invisalign treatment can be much quicker than braces. However, Invisalign requires a significant amount of discipline to wear the aligners full time for at least 20-22 hours per day. If Invisalign aligners are not worn full time as described, the teeth will not move correctly and ultimately extend treatment time.
How Long Do I Need To Wear Metal Braces?
Orthodontic treatment with traditional braces takes about 18-24 months on average. Some patients require less than 12 months, while others require up to three years of treatment before their teeth reach their desired position. Orthodontics is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and each patient’s mouth is unique. The length of time each patient needs to wear braces varies based on age, amount of correction or degree of complexity, and the type of orthodontic treatment. Although it is impossible to predict the exact treatment time, Dr. Yoo at Midland Orthodontics will give his patients a close estimate of how long their treatment will take at their complimentary initial consultation.
Does Getting Braces Hurt?
One of the most commonly asked questions about traditional braces is whether placing them on the teeth causes pain or discomfort. The honest answer is that braces do not hurt when applied to the teeth, so there is no need to be anxious about the delivery appointment. There will be mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the newly placed brackets. Most patients experience this mild discomfort the first four days to a week after getting braces, expanders, or wires placed and after a wire adjustment appointment. Additionally, your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.
Midland Orthodontics only uses cutting-edge orthodontic appliances and wires that exert light, continuous, and biologically sound forces that significantly decrease any soreness. But some mild, and rarely moderate, discomfort is still to be expected. Each patient will gradually adapt to the discomfort associated with the orthodontic tooth movement. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a regimen of salt water rinses can help ease any discomfort.
How Much Do Braces Cost?
On average, the total investment into a beautiful smile with orthodontic treatment is around $5,000. Many factors can affect the final cost of treatment, such as:
- The severity of the patient’s teeth condition
- The office you go for treatment
- The experience of your orthodontist
- Insurance coverage
- Promotional savings, such as family discounts or pay-in-full discounts.
- Monthly payment plans/financing
Fortunately, most people do not pay the total treatment price themselves. Instead, many dental insurance plans pay for some of the cost of orthodontic treatment, set at a specific dollar amount or percentage. Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) are two tax-deferred plans that also allow orthodontic services. Finally, in-house financing and monthly payment plans are common ways to pay for Invisalign or Traditional braces. Instead of paying everything in one lump sum, patients have a monthly payment for 12, 18, 24, or 36 months.
At Midland Orthodontics, we do not let finances stand in the way between you and the smile you’ve always dreamed of! We offer flexible financing options and accept dental insurances and FSAs/HSAs so that you can invest in your smile journey with any budget.
Metal Braces at Midland Orthodontics
Consider traditional braces if you or your child suffers from crooked teeth, overcrowding, gaps between teeth, or a bite alignment issue. An experienced orthodontist can help develop a unique treatment plan to ensure correct teeth movement so that you achieve the smile of your dreams in the fastest time possible. If you’re interested in orthodontic treatment with traditional braces, Dr. Ethan Yoo and the team at Midland Orthodontics in Poway, CA, are here to provide a complimentary consultation and thorough treatment information to their patients considering orthodontics treatment.
Contact us to schedule a consultation today!