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Houston Orthodontist: Affordable Braces Plans & 2018 Financing

Thursday - January 18th, 2018
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Orthodontists do more than just provide you with a brilliant smile and straight teeth. Braces and other proper alignment methods prevent teeth from growing improperly, which ensures you do not suffer from jaw pain or far more serious conditions. Braces require a series of dental visits over the course of several years. For some, this may not be affordable. If you’re interested in braces, or considering braces for a child, there are plenty of dental financing and payment plans available through Castle Dental. So, make sure to educate yourself on braces and the different payment options available to you.

What To Know About Braces

Having braces put on is a commitment. While everyone is different, you’ll likely wear braces for several years. Many people believe braces pull teeth into a different position in the mouth. That is not exactly the case. Teeth have bands around the roods that stretch and pull (much like a rubber band). When pressure is placed on the teeth, the bands shift, which pulls the teeth with the brands. So, in reality, the shift occurs with the brands wound under the gums. The teeth just happen to move along with it. Because different teeth alignments require more or less pulling while other people are more or less susceptible to the pulling itself, braces may take anywhere from under a year to several years to correct a smile.

It is necessary to know that when you have braces on, you need to visit the dentist (or orthodontist) every four to six weeks or so. This is because you need to have the braces tightened in order to continue the progress. If you wait longer, it simply extends the time you’ll have the braces on for.

You will need to watch what you eat. Hard and sticky foods need to be avoided so your braces do not become corroded or even brake. Additionally, it becomes that much more important to maintain good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing. There are now more areas where food and bacteria can hide, so regular brushings throughout the day will help.

What Kind of Braces Options Are There?

Braces is not a one size fits all option. There are many different braces out there, each of which varies in terms of material, appearance, length of time you wear the braces and cost. Regular braces apply pressure to your teeth with brackets glued to the front of your teeth and connected with wiring. With these kinds of braces you’ll need to have the wiring tightened and adjusted every four to six weeks. These kinds of braces will also take anywhere from 18 months to three years, so keep this in mind.

Perhaps you would rather avoid having the metal braces and wiring installed into your mouth. If that’s the case, you can opt for a ceramic braces alternative. These brackets are colored the same as your teeth, in order to tone down the difference. If you’re concerned about the appearance of your smile, you may want to consider going with braces for the rear of your teeth instead of the front. Ceramic braces do cost more than metal braces, so the back side braces may save you money long term.

Braces and straightening technologies have come a long way in the last few decades. Now there are clear aligner options. Invisalign is one of the more popular brands, but there are other companies out there that make a similar product. With this kind of method you’ll place a plastic tray over your teeth. Think of it as a very thin mouthguard. It’s next to impossible to see and you can take the tray off when you brush and floss and even eat. these clear trays are replaced every few weeks as a different tray is used to continue the tightening process. However, clear aligners are designed more for slight dental shifts. If you have a large gap, braces may be the best option. Either way, your dentist can sit down with you and go through the available options for your particular situation.

When Should You Get Braces?

The best time to know when you really need braces is when a dentist recommends them. They can identify not only the current alignment of teeth but how teeth will shift over time. As teeth begin to shift it may cause problems with your jawline, your bite and overall oral health. Due to this, it not only is better to opt for braces now, but it will help you save money long term over the more expensive problems you could run into later on down the road.

However, outside of when a dentist tells you to consider braces, when should you look at braces as a real possibility? If you are not happy with the alignment of your teeth, you should look at braces. You should be proud of your smile, and if you aren’t it is time to do something about it. When you visit the dentist you may discover you don’t need braces, but instead veneers may end up being the best option for you (or crowns or caps, depending on the teeth in question). With so many different opportunities and cosmetic dental methods available, you can pick out the method that works best for you and your budget. It is a good idea to check with your insurance provider before making a final decision. You may find your dental insurance policy covers basic metal braces, but does not cover veneers (especially when veneers are for a cosmetic purpose).

Do Braces Hurt?

This is one of the most common questions people considering braces asks. Braces generally do not hurt, but there may be levels of discomfort. Braces are designed to pull the bands around the roots of a tooth, which shift the dental alignment. Following a tightening, teeth will feel a bit odd, as if someone is putting pressure on the teeth (which is exactly what’s happening). Over time, this slight discomfort will go away as you become accustomed to the feeling (and as your teeth shift). Braces never really hurt, but you’ll likely feel something following every tightening. After four to six weeks, you won’t really feel a thing, but then you’ll have the teeth tightened to the next tension level, which will bring about the feeling of pressure on your teeth. This will continue to transpire until you are done wearing braces. In some cases you may need to have a tooth removed to correct dental alignment, but this is not a frequent practice for braces wearers.

Braces with Insurance

Make sure to check with your dental insurance provider to see if braces are covered. Depending on your policy, braces may fall under an unnecessary cosmetic procedure, which means the company will not pay for it. However, if braces are deemed necessary to prevent further dental issues down the road, many of these policies will provide some coverage. Other insurance policies cover a great deal of the codes you’ll occur while wearing braces. With so many different insurance companies and policy options, it is important to look over the costs and talk with your provider to determine first whether or not braces are covered.

If you do have insurance coverage, you’ll never need to deal with filing the paperwork. This is a castle and can take time out of your already busy day. The staff at Castle Dental will take care of the filing process, so all you need to worry about is taking care of your braces.

Braces Payment Plans

Whether you have insurance or not, you may want to have the remainder of the balance covered with a payment plan. Braces do, after all, require multiple check ups throughout the course of the year, so having a payment plan may prove to be the best repayment option for you.

There are three different payment plans. First, a low down payment and no interest payment allows you to reduce the amount of money you pay over time with the up front payment. Secondly, there is a no money down and no interest payment. The only difference between the two is your monthly payments will be slightly lower if you can put money down when first taking out the payment plan.

The third option is a 48 month (four year) extensive repayment plan. You’ll receive a low interest rate of 14.9 percent on the loan. By having four years to pay the loan back, you can spread your payments out to a more affordable rate.

You will need to apply for the payment financing option, so make sure to browse our payment plans and financing options and apply for the payment plan ahead of time. This way, you’ll have a better understanding as to what kind of financing you have access to.

Pay With Credit or Debit

If you want to pay with a debit card that is perfectly fine and accepted. Just note that if you do decide to pay with a debit card, you might want to check with your bank first to make sure larger payments are allowed. Some banks may look at a sudden, one-time charge as a fraudulent charge and attempt to freeze your account. While this may not happen with your bank, if you do plan on paying with debit it’s worth checking into ahead of time.

As for credit cards, Castle Dental accepts all major forms of credit card, so whether you’re paying with Visa, Discover, American Express or MasterCard, your preferred form of payment will be accepted.

Dentist Discounts From Castle Dental

At Castle Dental, there are always new discounts and money saving opportunities available. Often you’ll find a $100 savings coupon for most dental services, including braces. This cuts $100 off the bill immediately. However, there are often other money saving methods available through your local dentist office as well. To find out what your local Castle Dental office providers, you can either contact the branch directly or sign up for email updates. When visiting the office, simply ask to receive emails regarding coupons and discounts. This way you’ll receive an email from Castle Dental regarding discounts every month or so.

The second option is to navigate to the Zip Search tool and fill out your state, city and desired office. Then type in your first and last name, followed by your email account. From there you’ll need to check off your desire to receive emails regarding discounts on services. Once you click Submit you’ll be ready to go to receive these email updates.

Affordable Braces at an Orthodontist Near Me

If you’re interested in taking the next step in a beautiful, natural smile, now is a great time to sign up for an appointment through Castle Dental. Once on the site, choose your state, city and desired office. Now, select whether you’re a current patient or new patient. Type in your full name, date of birth and gender. You’ll then be asked to enter in contact information and the reason for your appointment. From there, click the Request an Appointment option. A representative will contact you shortly. If you want to avoid filling out the documentation on the website, you can easily contact the offices at 1.844.400.7645.

Braces is an effective way to correct your smile. It no longer is something seen as an apparatus for children. Instead, people of all ages are turning to braces (just look at Tom Cruise, as he sported braces for years). If you’re interested in braces, learning more about how it can not only correct your smile, but help you avoid health conditions later on, or if you want to discover more about Castle Dental and what makes the local offices the right choice for you, simply pick up your phone and give the team at Castle Dental a call. All of your questions and concerns will be addressed through a simple, single phone conversation.