General Treatment Questions
Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities.
They receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn how to properly align and straighten teeth. Only those with this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
Dr. Frank is an orthodontist and an active member of the AAO.
To learn more about the difference between dentists and orthodontists, read our blog: Why You Should Trust an Experienced Orthodontist with Your Family’s Smiles.
Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Examples of these genetic problems are crowding, spacing issues, protrusion, extra or missing teeth, and some jaw growth problems.
Other oral problems are caused by thumb or finger sucking, dental disease, accidents, the early or late loss of baby teeth, and other causes.
Bluebird Orthodontics offers a variety of treatment options:
- Traditional Metal Braces
- Clear (Ceramic) Braces
- Lingual Braces (InSmile)
- Clear Aligners (Angel Aligner, Invisalign®)
For more information, read our treatment comparison web page.
To find out which solution is best for you or your child, schedule a free consultation.
Most patients are in active treatment for one to three years. Timelines vary based on the orthodontic solution chosen and severity of the problem.
Many small orthodontic problems can become worse without treatment and may eventually require additional dental work.
Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain, which can result in cavities and gum disease. A bad bite can also lead to abnormal wear on tooth surfaces, cause difficulty chewing and/or speaking, and place excess stress on the supporting bones and gum tissue.
Not necessarily. Research suggests that wisdom teeth don’t always cause teeth to shift.
In most cases, wisdom teeth are removed for general dental health reasons – not orthodontic ones. Your family dentist or Dr. Frank can help determine whether your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
To learn more, read our blog: Wisdom Teeth and Braces.
Your job is to follow Dr. Frank’s instructions, keep your scheduled orthodontic appointments, and maintain excellent oral hygiene. You must also continue to see your general dentist as recommended.
To learn more, read our blog: How to Care for Your Smile Between Orthodontic Visits.
Age-Specific Questions
The AAO recommends that children get an orthodontic screening at seven, an age by which most children have a mix of permanent and baby teeth.
By this age, Dr. Frank can evaluate your child’s emerging teeth and spot subtle problems with jaw growth. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct when they are found and addressed early. That said, most patients don’t begin active treatment until they are between the ages of nine and 14.
To learn more about the importance of screening your child early, read our web page.
Yes. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. In fact, about one in every four orthodontic patients today is over 18.
Thanks to today’s smaller, less visible and more comfortable orthodontic appliances, including metal, ceramic and lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces and clear aligners, adults have more discreet and appealing options than ever.
To learn more about adult orthodontic treatment options, read our web page.
Post-Treatment Questions
If you notice an unwanted change in your smile or bite, an orthodontic “tune-up” may be necessary to regain proper alignment. To discuss your options, schedule a free consultation.
After your braces are removed, you might notice some subtle changes as you chew and bite and your teeth settle. More serious and unwanted changes are unpredictable and typically due to genetics or later-than-normal growth.
Movement is common in the lower front teeth. This is particularly true if the teeth were extremely crowded before treatment. Shifting teeth is a lifelong and naturally occurring phenomenon.
The best way to keep your teeth from changing position is to wear your retainers as prescribed. If you notice significant movement after your braces are removed, please contact us.
Throughout your life, you can expect the position of your teeth to change, even if you had orthodontic treatment. These changes vary by individual but are generally hardly noticeable.
However, changes that are disappointing to both you and Dr. Frank can occasionally occur. Changes in tooth position are not a failure of your orthodontic treatment – they are a natural process. We expect changes in our bodies as we grow older, and teeth are no exception.
To help control and limit these changes, retainers are prescribed after your braces are removed.
Dr. Frank will recommend how long you should wear your retainers after you complete active treatment. Wearing your retainer – whether it is removable or fixed – as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving once your braces or aligners are removed.
As mentioned in the question above, it is natural for teeth to shift slightly after treatment. By wearing your retainers, your teeth are more likely to remain where Dr. Frank placed them.
To learn more, read our blog: Here’s What You Should Know About Retainers.
No. Retainers stabilize and preserve the alignment of your teeth and jaws after treatment. Many people wear removable retainers nightly for the rest of their lives.
Costs, Financing & Insurance Questions
The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on many factors, including the severity and complexity of the problem, the chosen solution, and the length of treatment.
Dr. Frank will be glad to discuss the cost of treatment and your financing options with you before treatment begins. The good news is that braces are more affordable today than ever.
To learn more, read our pricing web page.
Many dental insurance plans have an annual maximum that resets every year and can be used for routine dental services like cleanings, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontic benefits work differently. They typically have a lifetime maximum instead of an annual limit.
To learn more, read our web page about insurance and financing.
An orthodontic lifetime maximum is the maximum dollar amount an insurance plan will cover for orthodontic treatment. It is a fixed amount that applies to the combined orthodontic treatment of everyone covered by the plan. A lifetime maximum is specific to each insurance plan, meaning if you switch your plan or insurance company, you may have a different maximum. Once that maximum is reached, the insurance company generally won’t pay for any additional orthodontic treatment.
For example:
- Your plan has a $2,000 orthodontic lifetime maximum
- You or someone under your plan begins orthodontic treatment
- The insurance company will pay a total of $2,000 toward the treatment over time
- Once the full $2,000 has been paid, any remaining treatment costs will not be covered by your insurance plan
Not necessarily. Lifetime maximums are generally the same for in- and out-of-network care; your benefits are yours to use however (and with whomever) you want. While pricing varies by practice, you can expect to pay roughly the same market rate with an out-of-network provider as an in-network provider.
Yes. Bluebird offers competitive prices even for patients with out-of-network insurance. Once our team files your paperwork, you’ll likely end up paying the same out-of-pocket cost for Bluebird as you would for an in-network provider.
It depends on the insurance company.
Orthodontic insurance companies will typically reimburse you with an initial sum of 20 to 25% within 2 to 4 weeks of the initial claim, followed by monthly or quarterly payments of the remaining balance over the estimated length of your treatment.
If your reimbursement is sent to Bluebird, we’ll make sure you receive it promptly.
Other Questions
Yes. Bluebird works with a robust network of dentists, periodontists, pediatricians and other healthcare providers and would be honored to treat your patient.
If your patient has crowded, misaligned, or protruding teeth, an abnormal bite, or another condition that requires orthodontic treatment, refer them to Bluebird by filling out the form on this page.