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Orthodontics (also referred to as dentofacial orthopedics) is a specialized form of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities.
According to the American Association of Orthodontics, it is recommended that children have their first orthodontic consultation no later than age seven, even if there are no major problems or concerns. Although most kids do not start treatment at this age, it is the best time to screen for major problems and start tracking growth and development if future orthodontic treatment is needed.
Nope! Our practice has patients in their 60’s, 70’s, and even 80’s! Our doctors are happy to discuss a treatment plan with you in a complimentary consultation. No matter your age, you deserve a smile you feel confident in!
The amount of time spent in braces will vary depending on the individual patient, because every smile responds differently to treatment. Treatment times can take anywhere between six and thirty months. Our typical treatment times are between fourteen to eighteen months.
Some patients with braces will experience minor discomfort after the braces are placed or the wires are changed. This discomfort will only last a few days.
Invisalign is known for less pain/soreness than metal braces. Most patients will experience some soreness the first day or two of wearing a new tray as the teeth and jaw adjust.
Yes, you will still need to continue your routine cleanings with your dentist. If your dentist needs to do a deep cleaning, we are able to remove the wires on your braces before the appointment and place them back in afterwards.
Towards the beginning of braces treatment, most appointments will range between six to eight weeks. As you near the end of your treatment, your appointments will begin being a little closer together as fine tuning and minor adjustments are made. With Invisalign treatment, appointments can widely range in frequency depending on the staging of treatment.
Generally, if you miss an appointment, your braces will simply hold the position of the teeth as they currently are until your next appointment. In the long run, missing multiple appointments will prolong your overall treatment time. If you miss an Invisalign appointment we would generally instruct you to continue wearing your last tray until you are able to be seen.
The specific cost of treatment can only be determined after a thorough examination in the initial consultation. In most cases:
- Phase 1/Early Treatment: $1500-$4000+
- Comprehensive Treatment: $4800-6800+
- Limited Treatment: $1000+
The majority of Cooper & Misner Orthodontics patients utilize interest-free/in-house payment plans for their orthodontic treatment. We offer affordable monthly payment options that can be as low as
$99/month. The more your insurance covers and the larger down payment you make, the lower your monthly payment will be.
Yes! If you pay in full, you will receive a 5% bookkeeping courtesy.
Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic coverage which can help reduce both the overall cost of treatment and your monthly payment. These policies can be complicated, but our team will let you know how much money your plan will help save you at your initial consultation.
Orthodontic treatment is eligible for payment from both HSA (Health Savings Accounts) and FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts). These accounts help you save money by reducing your taxes!
No, you do not have to have insurance to receive treatment! We offer interest-free financing through monthly payment plans.
Cooper & Misner Orthodontic is proud to provide complimentary consultations for all new patients! During your first visit, one of our treatment coordinators will take photos, x-rays, and a scan. From there, one of our doctors will evaluate your teeth and jaws, discuss their findings, and explain a recommended treatment plan with you. All of your questions will be answered regarding the treatment plan as well the financial considerations. If treatment is not recommended (this is common for children under age 12), we will let you know what to expect in the future and set up recall visits as needed.
Simply call our practice! Our front desk team is happy to schedule your complimentary consultation. If you are a new patient or have been referred to our practice, please let us know and we will provide you with all of the information you need.
With braces, you should brush your teeth at least three times per day to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and clean. Brushing regularly will help remove any food that may be caught between the braces. You should also floss daily to get in between your braces where your brush is unable to reach. Our clinical team can show you how to properly brush and floss once your braces are placed.
Yes! We will let you know all of your color options, including glow in the dark, when it is time for you to pick!
Having good oral hygiene is very important. Brushing after each meal (at least three times per day), flossing daily, wearing elastics as instructed, avoiding foods that can damage your braces, and attending routine orthodontic appointments and dental cleanings all help keep your teeth healthy while you are wearing braces.
Some examples of foods that are okay to eat with braces include: chocolate, peanut butter, ice cream, corn off the cob, potato chips, pringles, fruit (cut/sliced), pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, grilled cheese, hot
dogs, hamburgers, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, enchiladas, burritos, soft tacos, soft bread, pasta, marshmallows, pies, and cakes.
Some examples of foods to avoid include: raw carrots, nuts, ribs (unless cut off the bone), doritos, tostitos, fritos, suckers, beef jerky, caramel candies, hard shell tacos, soft drinks, hard pretzels, bagels & hard bread (unless cut into pieces), citrus drinks (in large quantities), pizza crust (unless cut into pieces), and no chewing on ice, straws, pens, or pencils.
If our office is open, simply call our office and schedule a quick appointment to have the wire clipped or the broken bracket to be repaired. If our office is closed, we recommend using wax on the wire to prevent the wire from irritating the cheek or gums. For broken brackets, placing wax over the bracket may also help by keeping the loose bracket from shifting while chewing. In extreme situations, an on call team member may be reached after hours to manage an urgent situation.
Wear your clear retainers full time during the day until you are instructed to instead begin sleeping in them at night. Remove the retainers while eating or drinking anything other than water and while brushing your teeth. Clean your retainers by brushing them with your toothbrush and toothpaste. Occasionally you can soak them in a product such as Retainer Bright to give them more of a deep clean. When your retainers are not in your mouth, they should be kept in the case you were given. Pets, especially dogs, often chew retainers if they are able to access them. Retainers should also never be left on a napkin or plate while you are eating! It is so easy to overlook them and accidentally throw them away because they are clear. Retainers should be kept at room temperature if they are not in your mouth. This means, you should never leave your retainers in the car or clean them with hot water. If your retainer is feeling tight when you put it on, that usually means you need to be wearing it more often.
If your clear retainers break or get lost, you should call our office and arrange to bring the 3D models to us so that we can make a new clear retainer(s) using your models. Charges may apply for replacement 3D models and/or new clear retainers.
If you lose or break your clear retainers, you will need to call us and arrange to bring the 3D models of your teeth to our office as soon as possible so that we can begin making new retainers. If you do not have your 3D models, we can often reprint the models for a fee. The cost for scans, reprints, and/or new retainers varies from $50-$250.
If you are able to wear the broken retainers in the meantime, we recommend doing so to help prevent any teeth from shifting.
Please note, if you go 2+ weeks without wearing your clear retainers, your teeth are likely going to shift far enough that a new retainer made from your 3D model will most likely no longer fit your teeth and a new scan may be required.
Immediately begin wearing your clear retainer as much as possible and call our office as soon as possible to schedule a repair or replacement appointment.
Charges to repair or replace a bonded retainer range from $60-$330 per bonded retainer. The exact cost is not able to be determined until one of our doctors looks at the state of the bonded retainer to determine if it is able to be repaired or if replacement is best.
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