Traditional Metal Braces—Forest, VA
Reliable, Affordable, & Flexible
Even in a world where clear aligner treatment is easily available, traditional metal braces are still a highly popular orthodontic solution recommended for children, teens, and adults alike. Why? The answer is simple—they just work! Traditional metal braces in Forest, VA from Crossroads Family Dentistry can help patients of all ages make cosmetic improvements as well as achieve a more balanced and healthier smile using a tried-and-true method that has already done the same for tens of millions of people around the world.
Why Choose Crossroads Family Dentistry For Traditional Metal Braces
- Available for Children, Teens, & Adults
- Can Correct Simple & Complex Issues
- Multiple Ways to Pay
How Do Traditional Braces Work?
You probably remember seeing metal braces a lot when you were a child, and you might be noticing them again if you’re a parent. They still work the same basic way—metal brackets are attached to each of the teeth, and these are connected by a thin wire that applies slight pressure designed to move them into the proper positions. This wire is held in place using small rubber bands called elastics, and over the course of several months or years, these elements work together to straighten the teeth to create a smile that is more attractive and less prone to common issues like cavities, chips, and cracks.
What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?
Braces are able to do much more than improve someone’s appearance. In fact, that is just one of the many things this treatment can accomplish. Primarily, the focus is on correcting issues that can affect someone’s oral function now and could lead to even bigger problems down the road.
Bite Misalignment
In addition to adjusting individual teeth, braces can also fix overbites, underbites, cross-bites, and open-bites. This can make everyday activities like chewing and speaking easier, increase someone’s confidence, and prevent someone from experiencing or developing jaw pain.
Crowded & Crooked Teeth
Teeth can become crooked and crowded for a wide variety of reasons, but despite the cause, braces can get them back in line. On top of being more pleasing to look at, straight teeth are also easier to clean when brushing and flossing, which helps someone avoid cavities over time. Properly aligned teeth are also less likely to become chipped or worn down as the years go by.
Gapped Teeth
Gaps cannot only be an eyesore, but they can also become a place where leftover food and oral bacteria can accumulate, increasing the chances of someone developing gum disease. It’s easy for braces to close gaps anywhere they might appear, making both hygiene and smiling better for the patient.
Caring for Your Braces
There are three big tenets when it comes to taking care of braces throughout the course of treatment. Firstly, a person must brush and floss every day, preferably after every meal and snack, because the brackets and wires can trap leftover food against the teeth and make decay more likely if it isn’t removed promptly.
Secondly, a patient should ideally avoid extremely sticky, chewy, or hard foods, as one errant bite can accidentally damage a bracket or wire. In this same vein, if a patient regularly participates in sports where impacts can happen (whether they’re on purpose or accidental), investing in a protective mouthguard is paramount.
And lastly, a patient should expect to attend progress checks with their dentist at Crossroads Family Dentistry every six to eight weeks. This will give us a chance to make sure someone’s teeth are moving according to plan, and if any adjustments are needed, we can make them proactively. Of course, if a broken bracket or wire occurs between these visits, the patient can always reach out to schedule an emergency appointment. Acting fast is the best way to resolve an issue that could potentially delay someone’s treatment plan!
Understanding the Cost of Traditional Braces
People are often a little bit intimidated by the price of their braces, and about paying for their orthodontic care in general. You’ll be happy to learn that we do everything that we can to make paying for our dental care as easy as possible.
We’ll be able to give you a full estimate of what your dental care will cost when we meet you in person, and we’ll talk to you about your options when it comes to paying for your dental care. Here’s what you should know before then about the finances associated with orthodontics.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces
In order to help you get the smile that you’re looking for, your braces will be heavily tailored to you. This means that there are several variables that can affect precisely what your orthodontics will cost, as well as their price.
Generally speaking, longer treatment tends to be more expensive. The amount of time that it will take to complete your orthodontics depends on the severity of your misalignment, as well as the number of follow-up appointments that you’ll need. Older patients also generally take longer to straighten their smile, as their teeth are generally more firmly set into the jaw.
And of course, how well you comply with treatment guidelines will have a lot to do with the length of your treatment. If you take good care of your braces, you should have a faster and less expensive orthodontic treatment.
Professional Braces vs. “DIY” Braces: Which Costs More?
If you’ve done your research, you might have found guides online for DIY orthodontic care. Some people have taken it upon themselves to make their own braces out of household items, like earring backs and superglue. This is without even mentioning mail-in aligner kits, which claim to offer orthodontic treatment without any help from a dentist.
However, there are serious risks associated with pursuing orthodontic treatment without the help of a professional. If things go wrong, you could wind up with seriously misaligned teeth before you’ve even realized it. If you decide to use household products for your orthodontic treatment, you could even damage your teeth or ingest toxic materials. For these reasons, it’s always a good idea to talk to a professional when pursuing orthodontic treatment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?
Some dental insurance plans will cover orthodontic treatment, but not others. Whether you can expect your dental treatment to be paid for by your dental plan will depend heavily on which one you have, which is why it’s important to consult with your insurance company before beginning orthodontic treatment. Of course, we will be happy to assist you in this process.
Options for Making Braces Affordable
Even if you don’t have insurance, we want you to be able to get the orthodontic treatment you or your family needs. That’s why we offer a variety of alternatives that can potentially make your care more affordable.
For one, we have an in-house membership plan that can function as a nice alternative to insurance. For a flat monthly fee you can receive substantial discounts on many of our services. This can potentially make the preliminary and follow-up treatments associated with orthodontics fit your budget much more easily.
We also accept financing through CareCredit, which offers low-to-no interest terms to patients who qualify. This can allow you to split up the cost of your orthodontics across several monthly payments.
If you have any other questions about what you can do to make your orthodontic care more affordable, make an appointment with us and we’ll be happy to talk to you.
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