The three words most parents fear hearing from a dentist… “He/She needs braces!” It is quite the time and financial commitment. Is it necessary? Is it worth it? As an orthodontia patient myself, I have certainly learned a few things along the way, I and would like to share them with you. Fortunately, I have not been on the parental receiving end of this process yet with children, but I feel my personal experience would provide some great insight as you may be contemplating this current or future process.
Why consider orthodontia?
I remember growing up and hearing the terms “Brace Face,” and being terrified of how I would be made fun of for having braces. It was certainly not attractive, and for the time period you spent in them, you would forever remember the school pictures, family events, and monumental moments you had to spend and capture memories wearing said braces. However, I was convinced by my dentist, orthodontist, and my parents at the age of 12, it is short-term, and worth the results.
Orthodontia wear has certainly improved since my personal experience two decades ago. You use your teeth for so many things, and it is important they are healthy and aligned as it can significantly impact you and your quality of life. Sometimes, orthodontia care is not avoidable, and other times, it may be a result of long term inadequate dental hygiene. As an adult, I do find value in the meaning, “First Impressions Do Make a Difference,” and found myself going through orthodontia care times two.
Traditional Braces vs. Invisalign
As I shared with you, I do have a personal experience with Orthodontia care. I received my first set of traditional braces at the age of 12. I recall going to eat at Taco John’s a day or two after having my braces, and taking 45 minutes to eat a soft shell taco! Unfortunately, poor compliance with retainers results in return of teeth misalignment. In addition, it is important to take care of your teeth, brush and floss, as they do leave an awful residue after braces come out if you did not do a great job of caring for your teeth while wearing braces.
Twenty years and some dental advancements later, I do believe they now transition you to clear retainers, which may be more beneficial and comfortable post braces. One fun thing about braces was having the ability to change out the rubber band colors every month. They can also put a clear rubber band on if someone prefers to keep them as discrete as possible.
On the other hand, to some, Invisalign is this the best alternative to traditional braces. My husband, who granted me permission to share this with you, underwent Invisalign treatment to treat his temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. He does report significant improvements in his jaw discomfort caused by TMJ, and I was able to witness the Invisalign process with him. I decided to begin the Invisalign journey, as I had noticed my teeth needed realignment, and my dentist was concerned about future potential jaw issues. What could be more appealing than being able to wear a dental appliance, and be able to take it off? I will personally share with you, it is great having the ability to take them out. Another positive win for Invisalign is visually seeing the improvements yourself.
The Costs of Orthodontia Care
For most, the costs of orthodontia care is staggering. Some families do benefit from dental insurance helping to cover the costs, while others may not be so fortunate. It is important to obtain an opinion from more than one orthodontia provider. I chose to visit three different orthodontia providers to obtain different perspectives in respect to my treatment and costs. Some providers will require you to pay for the expenses up front, while others are willing to provide payment plans. I do want to inform you, there is not the only option for a payment plan. Personally, I did not want to consider opening up a line of credit for this medical expense. I chose a provider who was willing to work with me, and allow me to make a smart financial decision regarding my orthodontia care.
Time Commitment
Another consideration is the time commitment. It is not only time consuming in regards to the treatment plan, but the expectation is to visit the orthodontist on a monthly, and possibly more frequent basis depending on the treatment plan. Finding a provider who has more than one office may be beneficial, and also ask upfront about extended and/or weekend hours.
I would be leery of the Groupon deals on dental treatments which promise straight teeth in less time. You truly do get what you pay for in terms of quality dental and orthodontia care. It is important to do your research and ensure you have made the best decision whether it is for yourself or your child.
Healthy Teeth Equal Great Health
It is important to care for your teeth, as some of you may know, pain and discomfort with teeth and gums can impact your quality of health. The treatment plan for orthodontia care is lifelong, as some do have to wear their retainers for life. As for many parents, we want to provide our children with everything we can. The age in which you begin orthodontia care is very important, as an individual’s willingness and commitment to their treatment is critical to its success.
What are your orthodontia tips? We’d love to hear them!
