Traditional Braces – Pleasanton, CA
Improving the Look, Health, and Function of Smiles
If your child is struggling with crooked teeth, an open bite, or another orthodontic problem, more than just their self-esteem is on the line. After all, issues like these can make it difficult to chew properly and enunciate clearly too. The good news is that our dedicated team at Main Street Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Pleasanton has a solution: traditional braces. If you want to learn more about this teeth-straightening treatment, you’re more than welcome to schedule an appointment with us or read on.
Why Choose Main Street Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Pleasanton for Traditional Braces?
- Children of All Ages Welcome
- Fun and Comfortable Dental Office
- Multiple Financial Solutions
How Do Traditional Braces Work?
Simply put, traditional braces use strategically placed brackets and wires to address overbites, overcrowding, and other orthodontic problems. Every four weeks or so, your child will come into our office so we can adjust their braces, ensuring continuous, gentle pressure is applied to their teeth. Week by week and month by month, you’ll notice their smile getting straighter and straighter!
What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?
One of the many reasons traditional braces continue to be so popular is because they can address both mild and severe cases of malocclusion. Here are some specific examples of orthodontic problems this teeth-straightening treatment can fix:
Bite Misalignment
If your child’s bite isn’t aligned properly, they can have difficulty eating, speaking, and even sleeping comfortably due to jaw pain. Plus, there is the risk of premature wear and tear as well. That’s why it’s important to explore your orthodontic treatment options, like traditional braces, if your child has a crossbite, overbite, underbite, or open bite.
Crowded & Crooked Teeth
If there isn’t enough room in your child’s mouth, then their teeth will start to crowd together and overlap. In addition to the aesthetic downsides, this creates unique crevices that are difficult to clean with their toothbrush and floss. In short, traditional braces will improve the look and health of your little one’s smile.
Gapped Teeth
Even if your child embraces the gaps between their teeth, it’s important to consider orthodontic treatment. After all, the spaces can trap food particles, plaque, and other debris that are difficult to remove. The good news is that traditional braces can guide your child’s teeth into their proper positions gently, improving their self-esteem and oral health in the process.
Caring for Your Braces
To keep your child’s smile healthy and prevent orthodontic emergencies, like a broken wire, they need to:
- Follow the dietary guidelines provided by our team, like keeping added sugar to a minimum and avoiding crunchy, hard, and sticky foods.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports.
- Quit unhealthy habits, such as chewing on ice or biting their nails.
- Commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen, including brushing for a full two minutes after each meal.
- Prioritize your adjustment appointments at our office.
Understanding the Cost of Traditional Braces
Since every child’s dental alignment is different, the cost of orthodontic treatment with traditional braces varies considerably from patient to patient. During your child’s consultation at our Pleasanton office, our orthodontist will explain the associated costs in detail so you can know what you can expect to pay. Here’s a brief outline of the variables that impact the overall cost of your child’s treatment.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces
The cost of traditional metal braces is determined by a variety of factors such as:
- The severity of alignment issues: The farther the teeth are from their ideal positions, the longer it will take for their treatment to get them there.
- The timeframe of the treatment: Generally speaking, longer orthodontic treatments cost more since they require more appointments, adjustments, and resources to complete.
- The age of the patient: Since children’s mouths are not fully developed, it is easier to address their alignment issues. Orthodontic treatment for adults takes longer and is generally more expensive.
- The number of appointments: Braces require frequent adjustments to continue shifting the teeth into better positions. These appointments will be reflected in the overall cost.
- Other orthodontic appliances: Many orthodontic patients need supplies such as space maintainers, palatal expanders, elastics, headgear, and retainers. The cost of these will increase the overall price of treatment.
- Compliance: Patients who comply with their orthodontist’s instructions can expect to enjoy a briefer and smoother treatment with fewer appointments as well as superior results.
Professional Braces vs. "DIY" Braces: Which Costs More?
While cheaper “do-it-yourself” orthodontic treatments might seem tempting, they carry significant risks. Social media has led to the rise of at-home teeth straightening methods that involve items like fishing lines, earring backs, super glue, hair elastics, and rubber bands. These methods are ineffective at best and can lead to serious oral injuries due to a lack of professional supervision. A few risks include:
- While DIY methods may move teeth quickly, they may shift into the wrong place or drift out of place later.
- Homemade braces can cut gum tissue, leading to sores that can cause infection. In some cases, patients lose teeth as a result.
- Shifting teeth into the wrong place can result in problems like worsening misalignment, TMJ disorders, and chewing difficulties.
- You will probably have to spend more money correcting the problems caused by DIY braces than you would have if you got professionally administered braces in the first place.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?
Dental insurance sometimes covers orthodontics. Braces are more likely to be covered than clear aligners, and many plans only cover braces for patients younger than eighteen. It’s more likely that your treatment will be covered if it is needed for medical reasons like a misaligned jaw or chewing difficulties.
If your treatment is covered, you can expect your insurance company to pay up to 50% of your bill, but the actual rate can vary considerably. Our team will be happy to help you navigate what your insurance plan covers so you can get the most from your benefits.
Options for Making Braces Affordable
We are pleased to offer financing plans through CareCredit, a third-party financier that breaks the cost of orthodontic treatment into easily manageable monthly installments with little or no interest. We’ll be happy to discuss your options to help you find the best payment method for you.
Traditional Braces FAQs
Traditional braces have been a tried-and-true way to straighten teeth for centuries. In fact, the first pair were designed back in 1819! Today, despite their long history, many patients still have a lot of questions about them, especially in comparison to clear aligners. If you are considering braces for your child but aren’t sure if you’re ready to make the commitment, here are some answers to a few common questions that may help you make your decision. If you don’t see your question answered here, feel free to contact the office and we’ll be happy to help!
Do Traditional Braces Hurt?
While braces don’t exactly hurt, when you first have them put on, you will likely experience some soreness and discomfort. This can last for a week or more, but it is easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication and by eating soft or cold foods.
Throughout your treatment, it is possible to experience further discomfort as your teeth shift. You may also notice heightened sensitivity after having your wires changed or tightened.
If you experience any rubbing or poking from your wires or brackets, you can cover the offending areas with dental wax until you are seen again by your orthodontist. This will cushion your mouth temporarily. Sometimes as your teeth shift your wires become too long. If wax doesn’t help, give Main Street Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Pleasanton a call and we can schedule you to come in so we can take a closer look.
How Long Do Traditional Braces Take?
Traditional Braces can take anywhere from one year to up to three years to fully straighten your teeth, however this varies depending on your individual smile goals. Your orthodontist can provide you with a fairly close estimate of time at your consultation.
There are many factors that will affect your treatment length, including:
- Your age: the older you are when you start your treatment, the more firmly set in your jawbones your teeth are. Thus, treatment usually takes a bit longer for adults.
- How severe your issues are: The more your teeth need to move, the longer you can expect your treatment to take.
- Compliance with treatment: Be sure to follow your orthodontist’s instructions as closely as possible for best results. For example, if you are prescribed rubber bands, wear them as directed or you could take longer to finish treatment than initially planned.
Why Do My Teeth Feel Loose with Braces?
It’s a very strange sensation when your permanent teeth feel loose or wiggly, but this is actually quite normal with braces. In fact, it’s a sign that your treatment is working. That’s because in order to align your teeth, your braces are essentially relaxing the ligaments that are holding them to your jaw so they can be repositioned. This can make them feel like they’re loose or “floating,” but this feeling will go away once your braces are removed, and no, your teeth will not fall out as a result.
Do Traditional Braces Cost More Than Invisalign?
Traditional braces are typically comparable to the cost of Invisalign, however in some cases they may cost a bit less. Typically, traditional braces cost between $1,800 and $5,500, while Invisalign costs between $3,000 to $5,000.
Your dental insurance plan may be more likely to cover traditional braces than Invisalign, as Invisalign is sometimes considered cosmetic versus orthodontic. If your child qualifies for both Invisalign and traditional braces, our dental team will be happy to discuss the benefits of each and help you compare costs to better align with your budget.
We also offer convenient financing through CareCredit. Speak to your dental team about the benefits of this plan and we’ll be happy to assist you in applying.