Average Duration of Teeth's Straightening Treatment

What is the Average Length of the Treatment to Straighten my Teeth?

At some point during a person’s initial consultation, one of the top questions is:  How long will treatment take?It’s hard to give a specific range without seeing the person. But, I’ll discuss what impacts treatment time and how you can speed it up.The severity of the issues is the number one factor affecting treatment time. Is it just a tooth problem or a skeletal/growth imbalance? Do we have to spend a lot of time fixing an imbalance of the upper and lower jaws or are we just fixing some minor crowding of the teeth? If it’s just some minor crowding of the teeth needing tweaks, then treatment can be as short as a few months. If there are some growth issues and modifications needed, treatment may take up to three years in extreme cases.Typically, patients can expect about a year-and-a-half treatment period at most orthodontic offices.

We shoot for between a year and a year-and-a-half to complete the treatment for a full set of braces on someone who’s never had treatment.Now, due to the technological advances of today, we can speed up treatment quite a bit. We can use shape memory wires, which were developed by NASA. At a certain temperature, these wires revert back to their normal shape. We can then bend and twist them, so they stay in place no matter how crooked the teeth are. Then, the temperature of the person’s mouth will slowly activate the wires and gently move the teeth back into place.Another new product is AcceleDent, which is a device you wear about 20 minutes a day that generates micro impulses which increase blood flow to the jaws and teeth. This increases the rate of bone turnover. Orthopedists have used this technology for years, which has proven to speed up treatment times anywhere by 40 to 60 percent. Basically, this small box with a mouth guard attached to generates impulses that move teeth at an accelerated rate.

 If you are more aggressive about your treatment time and looking to complete it quicker than normal, you could opt for a periodontal surgical procedure. During the procedure, orthodontists make little perforations in the bones or surrounding cheek. It sounds a lot more invasive than it is, but actually cuts treatment time anywhere from 50 to 70 percent. Not many people are willing to go this aggressive route.However, a few years ago, I saw a middle-aged woman who was trying to make it big as a singer in the country music business. She wanted to straighten her teeth and had been to several orthodontists who said it could take three years for treatment (a longer treatment time, due to her age). So, she came to visit us in our clinic and we gave her the option of the periodontal procedure in conjunction with orthodontics with a total treatment time of just over a year. She loved the shorter treatment time and proceeded with that option. If that sounds like something you may want to do, options are definitely available. Like in her case, it’s just a matter of how motivated you are to shorten your treatment time. If you are interested in periodontal surgical procedure, then contact us for the appointment.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr Fredericksburg , Virginia Phone: 540-898-2200

Average Duration of Teeth's Straightening Treatment

Cost of Traditional Metal Braces

How much do Traditional Metal Braces Cost?

If you've ever wondered about braces for yourself or your child, one of the first questions that probably came to your mind is: How much do they cost?

To find out the exact cost of braces, consider a few variables: treatment length, complexity of the case and insurance.

Someone who has had orthodontic work as a child but forgot to wear his retainer may just need some minor tweaks. Orthodontists often fix those with a retainer or a couple months of braces.

That type of case will be much different than one where a child needs full treatment and will wear braces for a year to a year-and-a-half versus an adult with a very complex case requiring appliances, braces, or even surgical help.

Since each case is different, it’s hard to provide an exact cost range. Each variable is factored individually.

The best way to find out how much braces will cost is to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist, which is often free. At a consultation, the orthodontist will look at everything that is bothering you and discuss options from an ideal treatment to minor corrections. The orthodontic office will look into your orthodontic coverage, which can bring the cost down significantly.

Often, patients who want braces aren't necessarily sure they will fit into their budgets. But, I have never seen a patient that really wanted them leave not able to pay for them.

Orthodontists can work with patient's budget to include no-interest financing or  spreading payments out over many months. Spreading out payments sometimes goes significantly over treatment time but helps patient works within his or her budget.

So, if the goal is to have the treatment, don’t get hung up on the cost because orthodontists can work with you within your budget to get the treatment you need.

A mom came in the other day with her daughter who we are working with. The mom had braces years ago but hadn't worn her retainer. She noticed a small space started to open between her teeth and inquired of how she could fix it. She had been told by another orthodontic office that she may need full treatment again and it could take six to nine months. But, due to the lack of severity of her case, we fixed it with a retainer and it only took two weeks. The cost wasn't too bad, either.

That’s one end of the spectrum. On the other end of the spectrum, we treat children with skeletal imbalances, multiple teeth that need help coming in. Their treatment may last upwards of three years. In those types of cases, cost is going to be a little bit higher, but, with insurance and the option to spread out payments, it’s not as bad as people initially think.

If you’re still wondering about what to do, we have many testimonials on our website of patients who came in expecting it to be a lot worse than it was. I encourage you to read all testimonials at website.  Contact Beecroft Orthodontics today to begin your journey towards a perfect smile.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr Fredericksburg , Virginia Phone: 540-898-2200

Cost of Traditional Metal Braces

Is Jaw Straightening Affordable?

What is the Cost to Straighten Out a Jaw?

Sometimes, for the best aesthetic and functional results, a patient may requires a jaw surgery.

Let’s explore if you are a candidate for a surgery; what to expect and the cost of treatment.

Are you a Candidate for a Jaw Surgery?

Orthodontists can fix many imbalances especially on a growing pre-teen or child. We often see people who have jaw imbalances, where their lower jaw is growing too much or not enough as compared to their upper jaw; or their upper jaw is not as wide as their lower jaw. These skeletal imbalances have nothing to do with the position of the teeth.

Receiving an orthodontic treatment at the correct time is often essential if there’s more than a tooth problem. The correct time is usually before the onset of puberty. That’s often when young men and women hit a growth spurt and it’s easiest to direct that growth.

As people grow, the bone turns over quicker and more regularly, so it’s a lot easier for orthodontists to form, shape and direct growth. But, when people (older teenagers to young adults) are past that peak growth period, their bones are a bit more dense. Then, it’s more difficult to move more than the teeth. If there's a large imbalance, that person may be a candidate for a jaw surgery.

Different habits may also lead to the need for a surgery if they are not corrected at the appropriate time. The number one habit that needs correcting is the thumb habit. It may cause the upper jaw to narrow and affect the skeletal balance of the upper and lower jaw. Having the mouth open and cheeks taut narrows the upper jaw. This can also occur with people have sinus or allergy problems because they breath through their mouth for long periods throughout the day.

All this can be fixed at the right age period with orthodontics and different appliances. But, if you have past that age period, you may be a candidate for an orthognathic or a jaw surgery.

What to Expect?

For some patients with growth imbalances, surgery is the only option regardless of the time in their lives. If you need a surgery, you will also need braces. Braces come before surgery, so the teeth are set up in a good position for the surgeon when he or she performs the procedure to get the jaws in proper balance. Typically, you have braces a year to two before surgery, depending on the severity of the case. You have the surgical procedure and spend a few months in braces afterwards just for fine-detailing.

How much Does it Cost?

The cost range varies because so much is involved. Time wise, it takes longer because there’s more prep work involved in working with an oral surgeon. You also have the cost of the oral surgery. But, often medical insurance will cover a good portion of it.

A Patient’s Experience

A college sophomore who had braces as a child came in about a year ago. She was told she had a skeletal imbalance that couldn’t be fully or ideally corrected with braces. At the time, she wasn’t ready to go forward with a surgery, nor was the timing correct. Eventually, she got braces, her teeth straightened up, and she had a great smile. But, she always longed for a nicer look. So, she came in ready for a surgery. She had braces for a few months since she had them previously and then proceeded with a surgery. Now she’s beyond happy with the results.

It’s amazing to see how someone transforms when you combine braces and a jaw surgery. You can literally change your whole face--look like a different person.  It’s not for everyone. But, if it’s something you've thought about, you may want to look into it-- because it can truly change you life. Call us today for a free consultation with Dr. Matt Beecroft.

Beecroft Orthodontics, 10472 Georgetown Dr Fredericksburg , Virginia Phone: 540-898-2200

Is Jaw Straightening Affordable?