Traditional Braces – Grafton, MA
Trusted, Tested, & Affordable
For decades, traditional metal braces have been the go-to treatment for correcting crooked, crowded, and gapped teeth, and there is a good reason for this: they work! Both with children and adults, braces have shown time and time again that they are a consistent and effective way to straighten the teeth and give someone a beautiful, confident smile. Our orthodontists have used them to literally help countless patients over the years, and they are ready to do the exact same for you. To contact our Grafton orthodontic office to schedule a consultation to discuss treatment with traditional braces in Grafton, MA, give us a call today.
How Do Traditional Braces Work?
As with every orthodontic treatment, the first step to getting metal braces is a consultation with one of our orthodontists. At this appointment, we examine a patient’s mouth and discuss their options. If everyone agrees that braces are the best choice, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled in which the brackets and wires are applied to the teeth. As time goes by, the wires will place slight pressure on the teeth that will slowly move them towards their desired positions. Every few weeks, a patient will return to our orthodontic office for progress checks so we can make sure their treatment is progressing as planned.
What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?
One of the biggest benefits of traditional braces is that they can address virtually any orthodontic problem, from minor bite problems to severe overcrowding. Keep reading to learn more:
Bite Misalignment
Overbites, open bites, crossbites, and underbites are four of the most common orthodontic issues that children and adults alike struggle with. Fortunately, we can improve the alignment of your teeth and your bite with the brackets and wires as well as other orthodontic accessories, like rubber bands.
Crowded & Crooked Teeth
Overcrowded teeth can result in several issues, from gum disease to premature wear. Don’t worry – even severe cases can be fixed with traditional braces. With strategically placed brackets and wires, we can gently apply pressure to your teeth so they move into their properly aligned positions.
Gapped Teeth
While some patients love the gap between their two front teeth, it’s an insecurity for others. The good news is that we can bring your teeth back together with traditional braces. For patients with minor misalignment, the entire process may only take 12 months too!
Caring for Your Braces
You know how important caring for your teeth is. But did you know that you need to care for your braces too? If you don’t take the proper precautions, then you could wind up with an orthodontic emergency, like a broken bracket or wire. That’s why we strongly recommend that you:
- Avoid chewy, crunchy, and hard foods that can tug on your braces.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports (even non-contact ones).
- Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly.
- Get a dental checkup and cleaning twice a year.
- Quit unhealthy dental habits, like biting your nails.
- Prioritize your check-in appointments.
Understanding the Cost of Traditional Braces
Since every patient’s smile is uniquely different, the cost of traditional braces in Grafton can vary from case to case. This is why we won’t be able to give you an accurate cost estimate until you’ve come in for your consultation. But in the meantime, we can provide you with some useful information about some of the factors that contribute to the cost of braces, as well as some other ways of making your care more affordable.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces
Here’s a brief look at four of the main factors that heavily affect the cost of traditional braces:
- Case Complexity – Severe cases of misalignment tend to require extensive treatment, whereas other patients might only need minor rearrangement. The complexity of the case, coupled with the need for additional appliances, is one of the largest contributing factors to the cost of braces.
- Patient Age – Children’s teeth tend to move more quickly than adult teeth since they aren’t as firmly set in the jaw. Since this makes treatment easier, it also tends to make it cheaper.
- Expected Treatment Timeline – The longer that a patient wears braces, the higher their treatment cost will be, since it results in more checkups, more adjustments, more supplies, and ultimately more attention to detail on the orthodontist’s part.
- Patient Compliance – Patients who neglect to follow their treatment guidelines, whether for clear aligners or metal braces, will often experience lengthy and expensive setbacks.
Professional Braces vs. “DIY” Braces: Which Costs More?
It’s tempting to want to save money wherever you can these days and do things yourself whenever possible – but it’s unwise to take this approach with braces. As tempting as they may seem, “DIY” braces can end up causing more problems than they solve. These solutions aren’t custom-made for your smile, nor do they receive continual support from your orthodontist. In the end, problems might go unnoticed, teeth may not move as intended, and you’ll ultimately waste money on lackluster or even uncomfortable results.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?
It’s common for most dental insurance plans to include at least partial coverage for braces, given the oral health benefits that they offer. That said, it’s always wise to review the specifics of your policy before committing to treatment. If you’re getting braces for medical reasons, such as to address dental misalignment, they’re more likely to receive coverage. Additionally, some plans might only provide coverage for patients who are under 18 years of age. No matter your circumstances, we’ll closely review your plan with you during your consultation so that we can help you make the most of your benefits and save whenever possible.
Options for Making Braces Affordable
Here at Simply Orthodontics, we believe that lacking dental insurance shouldn’t be a roadblock on your journey to a straighter, healthier smile. That’s why in addition to working with multiple insurance providers, we also offer financing through CareCredit, which allows patients to break up their total cost of care into affordable installments. We also offer an in-house preferred plan, which can end up saving you thousands of dollars throughout your treatment – not to mention, the added peace of mind that comes with it is absolutely priceless!
We’re also thrilled to offer a free orthodontic consultation, as well as the option to even begin your treatment on that very same day. Please feel free to contact our office in Grafton for additional information or to schedule your visit.
Traditional Braces FAQs
How Long is Treatment Usually?
The average treatment time for braces is two to three years, but this may be longer or shorter depending on the severity of the problems we are correcting and how closely a patient follows our instructions. We can give someone a more definitive timeline when they come to see us for a consultation.
Are Traditional Braces Right for Me or My Child?
As one of the most affordable and durable orthodontic treatments available today, metal braces are still a very popular choice for children. They are also recommended for adults who have advanced tooth/bite alignment problems that can’t be corrected with Invisalign. Pretty much anyone who could benefit from orthodontic treatment is a good candidate for metal braces, though we may recommend other services (like Invisalign or clear/ceramic braces) if their noticeable appearance is a concern.
Do You Have to Change Your Diet with Braces?
To avoid an orthodontic emergency, we recommend altering your diet slightly. Instead of biting into a whole apple, slice it up into smaller pieces. Instead of eating crunchy, thin-crust pizza, opt for a softer dough. Small changes like this will go a long way in keeping your brackets and wires intact.