Frequently Asked Questions
Drs. Hart and Wells have the reputation of providing quality and excellence of care, using proven state-of-the-art methods for treatment. For example, models of the teeth are place on a device called an articulator, so that a better balance in the function of the teeth with the jaw muscle and the jaw joints can be achieved. Dr. Hart, Dr. Wells, and our staff strive to provide excellence in orthodontics with personalized care.
YOUR FIRST VISIT CAN BE as early as age seven, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, unless a specific dental or bite problem is evident before age seven.
BRACES ARE NOT USUALLY PLACED AT AGE SEVEN. Some children benefit from having a phase 1 or early phase of treatment, starting about age 8-10 after the upper and lower four front teeth erupt. The typical age for starting full braces is about 11-13 years, after the second molars erupt.
THE LENGTH OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT CAN VARY depending on the orthodontic needs of the individual. Sometimes only a few months are needed for minor problems, or about 18 months for phase 1 early treatment, or about 24 months for full braces.
THE FEE FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT depends on many factors including the severity of the problem, its complexity, and the length of treatment. We will discuss the cost with you before treatment begins. Drs. Hart and Wells will typically give a total cost for specified treatment after obtaining diagnostic records. It is important to remember the value over your lifetime of the benefits of orthodontic treatment.
PAYMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE. Usually a payment plan can be arranged to make treatment affordable. Patients and parents are finding that braces are more affordable than ever. We have a variety of payment plans. We offer in-office financing with an initial payment when treatment begins and the remainder of the fee divided into monthly payments for the duration of treatment. We also offer third party out-of-the-office financing with the Orthodontists Fee Plan, with no initial payment and monthly payments over an extended period of time. We accept checks, cash, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover Card.
MANY EMPLOYERS PROVIDE ORTHODONTIC INSURANCE as a part of their dental insurance to help pay for a portion of the cost of braces. Please check with your benefits manager at work. Typical orthodontic benefits pay for 50% reimbursement with a lifetime maximum reimbursement of about $1,000-$1,500 per individual.
YOUR OFFICE FLEXPLAN CAN HELP WITH PAYMENTS. The flexplan allows for the use of pretax dollars to pay for orthodontics, plus medical and dental expenses and other non-reimbursed medical expenses. We can provide an estimate of projected costs for the next calendar year, so that your office flexplan benefit can be used.
OUR APPROACH TO ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IS UNIQUE. Drs. Hart and Wells use the highest level of diagnostic information available to formulate a treatment plan that optimizes both balanced biting function and enhanced smile esthetics. Just as the world’s top restorative dentists use models of the teeth mounted on an articulator device to plan and complete full mouth rehabilitations, we use this same technology to gain the best possible balance among the jaw joints, muscles, and teeth upon completion of orthodontic treatment. Only a small percentage of orthodontists evaluate the bite this extensively on every patient in order to understand the full nature of an individual’s bite before beginning orthodontic treatment. We also use one of the world’s most advanced self-ligating bracket systems that allows teeth to move more quickly and with lighter pressure for more efficient and comfortable orthodontic results. Our goal is to provide excellence in orthodontics with personalized care.
