Traditional Braces – Ludlow, MA
Time-Honored Solution for Multiple Orthodontic Issues
Traditional braces have existed in some form or fashion for hundreds of years, and to this day, they’re the gold standard for fixing misaligned teeth and bites. Our team at Ludlow Orthodontics proudly carries on this tradition of helping children and adults in the Ludlow community address their orthodontic issues before they lead to serious complications down the road. Do you or your child need to correct significantly crooked teeth, crowding, an overbite, or some other alignment problem? If so, then reach out to Ludlow Orthodontics today to learn more about options for traditional braces in Ludlow, MA!
Why Choose Ludlow Orthodontics for Traditional Braces?
- Caring Orthodontist with 25+ Years of Experience
- We Accept Most PPO Dental Insurance
- Patients of All Ages Welcome
What Can I Expect from Traditional Metal Braces?
First, Dr. Sam Alkhoury will need to thoroughly evaluate your mouth to confirm the cause and extent of your orthodontic issues. If he determines that traditional braces are the best way to address them, we can schedule your procedure to place the brackets and wires. Your teeth will be expertly cleaned, and then we’ll cement a metal bracket onto the front of each tooth. Then, we’ll carefully thread an archwire through these brackets, which exerts gradual pressure that shifts your teeth into more desirable positions. Small bands are wrapped around each of the brackets, and you can customize your braces by selecting which color you’d like these bands to be.
How Long Does Treatment Take with Traditional Braces?
As with any form of orthodontics, the length of treatment with traditional braces will vary based on the severity of the issues that must be corrected. The greater distance your teeth need to move, the more time it will take, naturally. Your treatment time may be extended if you don’t care for your braces at home and follow Dr. Alkhoury’s instructions.
Most patients with traditional braces end up wearing them for somewhere between one and three years. After your treatment, you’ll also need to wear a retainer for some time to prevent your teeth from drifting back toward their original positions.
Are Traditional Braces Right for Me?
To find out if you or your child could benefit from braces, you’ll need to have Dr. Alkhoury conduct a detailed orthodontic exam. Depending on the magnitude of the issue in question, he might recommend another orthodontic treatment method besides braces. For example, traditional braces are ideal for significantly misaligned or rotated teeth or uneven bites, but more minor cases can often be remedied with another solution. Dr. Alkhoury will recommend the treatments that will best improve your oral health while also considering your personal preferences.
Understanding the Cost of Traditional Braces
Do you want to learn more about the cost of traditional braces before committing you or your child to this orthodontic treatment? Good news: our team is here to make this as simple as possible! During the consultation, Dr. Alkhoury will review all of the factors that impact the cost and share the financial solutions available. Of course, if you want to learn more about the price before your visit, that’s okay too. In that case, read on!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces
Each treatment is tailored specifically to the patient’s needs. Therefore, several factors need to be taken into account before providing you with a price estimate, including:
- How severe the misalignment is
- Whether one or both arches of teeth need to be straightened
- If additional accessories, like rubber bands, are needed
Don’t worry – we will review all of this information during your visit to ensure you are well-informed and that all of your questions regarding the cost are answered.
Professional Braces vs. "DIY" Braces: Which Costs More?
Simply put, do-it-yourself braces are not cheaper. While tools like rubber bands might cost next to nothing, the DIY route can result in significant damage to your smile – even tooth loss! As you can imagine, this can be quite costly to correct, which is why the best choice for your smile and your wallet is professional braces. With a licensed orthodontist overseeing your treatment, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’ll safely get the beautiful results you deserve.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?
Since many dental insurance providers cover braces if they are “medically necessary,” it’s possible that your plan will cover a portion of the cost. So, review the fine print on yours before assuming you don’t have any available benefits! At Ludlow Orthodontics, we’re proud to be in-network with several leading PPO dental plans, and we’d be more than happy to help you better understand your coverage.
Options for Making Braces Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Fortunately, there is another financial solution available: flexible financing. LendingPoint is a third-party financier that allows you to space out your payments instead of paying for your entire treatment in one lump sum. As a result, you or your child can get the orthodontic treatment you need at a price you can afford!
Traditional Braces FAQs
Am I Too Old to Get Braces?
Believe it or not, some patients as young as 30 contemplate this question. The answer is “no!” After all, there isn’t an age when you’re “too old” to have a healthy, beautiful smile. Instead, candidacy for traditional braces is determined by things like the state of your oral health and commitment to good dental care. In short, there isn’t an upper age limit for braces. So, if you are interested in straightening your teeth or aligning your bite, there’s no better time to schedule a consultation with us!
What Can You Not Eat with Traditional Braces?
In an effort to prevent orthodontic emergencies, like broken or protruding wires, we will provide you with a list of foods you should avoid. A few examples include thin pizza crust, potato chips, hard bread, whole apples, and croutons. Instead, you should create healthy, well-balanced, and satisfying meals with soft foods, like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and oatmeal, especially when you first get braces.
How Long Do Traditional Braces Take?
Usually, traditional braces take somewhere between one and three years to deliver results. That said, there are several factors that will influence the length of your orthodontic treatment, including your age and the severity of your case. Of course, your compliance with the treatment guidelines matters as well, so make sure that you stick to the dietary restrictions, prioritize your check-in visits with us, and commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen at home.
Can You Drink Coffee with Traditional Braces?
Yes, but we recommend making some slight tweaks (if you haven’t already). For example, you should use a straw to prevent stains and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water afterward to prevent any residue from lingering on your teeth. If you can, brush your teeth about 20 minutes later too. This will go a long way in preventing both dental discoloration and tooth decay.
What Happens After You Get Your Braces Off?
Patients often don’t give much thought to this question until they are nearing the end of their orthodontic treatment. The reality is that there is another step: the retention phase. In addition to taking impressions and “after” pictures, we will create a custom retainer for you. That way, your teeth don’t drift out of their perfectly aligned positions in the coming weeks, months, or years.
Important note: It’s estimated that upwards of 50% of patients experience orthodontic relapse. To avoid becoming part of that statistic, we strongly recommend making wearing your retainer each night a life-long habit.
Do Traditional Braces Hurt?
This list of FAQs wouldn’t be complete without one of the most-asked questions: do traditional braces hurt? To be honest, some soreness and discomfort are expected toward the beginning of your treatment (which is when you’re adjusting to the brackets and wires the most). We recommend using a cold compress, taking OTC pain medication as directed, and sticking to really soft foods during this time.
