Affordable Braces for Kids and Adults

Signs You Need Braces

Sometimes it is easy to see when you need orthodontic treatment. However, some signs may not be as obvious. It might be the right time to get braces if you have:

  • Pain or discomfort when chewing
  • Difficulty when speaking
  • Crowded and crooked teeth – Overcrowded teeth allow food to get more easily trapped between teeth and make oral health more difficult. This condition can lead to tooth decay and other health issues.
  • Gaps between teeth – While this condition may not be related to a misaligned bite, bringing your teeth together will help create an amazing smile.
  • A cracking or popping jaw
  • Accidentally bite your cheek or tongue frequently – This common bite issue is also known as malocclusion. Common malocclusions include underbite and overbite. An underbite is when your lower teeth extend farther than your upper teeth, and an overbite is when your upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth. Braces can close these gaps and give you a great smile.

Types of Braces

There are a variety of orthodontic treatment options available.

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Lingual (Braces Behind the Teeth) Braces –
C5 Hidden Orthodontics

Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth (the tongue side of the teeth). At ALTA SMILES, our lingual orthodontic treatment is known as C5 Hidden Orthodontics. Invented by our Chief Clinical Officer and lead orthodontist, this exclusive wire technology is bracket-free and focuses on straightening your front teeth. It’s the most discreet orthodontic option available and requires no maintenance other than regular brushing and flossing.

Metal Braces – ALTA Tech Braces

Modern metal braces are the most common orthodontic treatment available and can address all cases from mild to severe. Today, advances in technology have made braces smaller, more comfortable, and lighter than braces of the past. Compared to traditional metal braces, ALTA Tech has Super-flexTM wires that don’t require tightening but still effectively (and gently) straighten your teeth. In addition, our Snap-N-Go appointments make wire changes quick and easy. These braces are self-ligating and enable us to quickly snap the wires into the brackets and securely hold them in place with less friction. With metal braces, you always have the option of adding colored rubber bands for more fun and a colorful smile.

Orthodontic Center - Orthodontic Care PA
New Clear Braces Tile Image

Clear Braces – ALTA Clear Braces

Have you hesitated to improve your smile because you don’t want to have noticeable metal braces on your teeth? Fortunately, there is a great alternative to metal braces for those with cosmetic concerns. Clear braces, also known as ceramic braces, do the same job as ALTA Tech braces but are more aesthetically pleasing.

This braces treatment has tooth-colored brackets (instead of metal brackets) to blend in with your teeth and a thin, very discreet wire. These clear braces are also self-ligating, meaning the Super-flex wires can be easily placed. This makes your Snap-N-Go appointments a breeze! ALTA Clear is a much less obvious method of giving you the healthy smile you’ve always dreamed of.

Self-ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are a special bracket system with clips that close over the archwire to hold it in place. The main advantage of self-ligating braces is that tiny elastic bands (or ligatures) are not needed to engage the brackets, which can accumulate plaque and bacteria. Both ALTA Tech and ALTA Clear braces are considered self-ligating braces.

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Clear Aligners – ALTA Aligner Therapy

C5 Hidden Orthodontics and Clear Aligners are considered alternatives to traditional metal braces. Clear teeth aligners (like Invisalign®) use a series of removable clear plastic aligners to move teeth gradually without brackets and wires. ALTA Aligner Therapy involves clear aligners that help straighten your teeth and correct your bite. Many adults and teens prefer more discreet orthodontic treatments such as C5 or clear aligners.

Braces for Adults

You’re never too old for braces! In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists states that 1 in every 3 patients is an adult. Many adults choose orthodontic treatment to improve their self-confidence and dental health. And with our discreet orthodontic treatments, there are many options to get your new, healthy smile. Comfortable, aesthetically-pleasing, and full customized treatments include:

  • Ceramic braces with clear/tooth-colored brackets
  • Clear Aligners (we use SureSmile and ALTA Aligner Therapy – great alternatives to Invisalign)
  • C5 Hidden Orthodontics – Lingual/Completely Hidden Behind-the-Teeth Braces
  • You can be certain that adult braces can lead you to a great smile at any age! Our orthodontists, orthodontic specialists, provide adult patients with comprehensive orthodontic treatment options delivered by dentists they know and trust in a comfortable and welcoming setting. Our advanced techniques are designed to greatly reduce discomfort, decrease treatment times, and reduce the number of orthodontic visits.

    Braces for Kids

    There is no set age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, but the American Association of Orthodontists recommends getting evaluated by an orthodontist around age seven. By this age, most children have a mix of baby and adult teeth, making it easier to identify and correct tooth and jaw issues. During your consultation, we’ll take x-rays of your child’s mouth when appropriate and full mouth photographs. These orthodontic records will help us determine if early treatment is necessary, and the estimated length of treatment.

    It’s not always easy to know if your child needs orthodontic treatment. You’ll want to seek orthodontic care if your child has:

    • A hard time chewing or biting food
    • Mouth breathing
    • Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
    • Jaws that pop when opening and closing
    • Teeth that come together abnormally or don’t come together at all
    • Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
    • Early or late loss of baby teeth
    • Speech impediments
    • Protruding teeth
    ALTA Tech™ Braces

    Fortunately for kids today, braces are much more comfortable and high-tech than braces of the past! Many children and teens opt for our modern metal braces, but ALTA Clear braces are also a popular option. Many kids are eligible for C5 Hidden Orthodontics or even clear aligners as well. No two patients are alike, and neither are their treatment plans!

    How Much Do Braces Cost?

    If you’re looking into braces, you’re likely wondering how much braces cost. The answer often depends on the area of the country you live in, the severity of your case, the expected length of treatment, and if you’re getting braces on one arch or two. According to a 2021 survey in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, the average cost for children is approximately $5,800 and $6,800 for adults. Braces may cost up to $10,000 for severe cases. ALTA SMILES providers are much more affordable, typically saving patients 15-25% on their treatment costs compared to other orthodontic offices!

    If you have health or dental insurance, it may fully or partially cover the cost of braces. It is best to check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage and our providers can help you determine your coverage as well! Many orthodontic providers, such as ALTA SMILES, offer affordable monthly payment plans to spread out the cost of your treatment.

    Adult Braces Cost

    Another factor when it comes to the cost of adult braces is if there are oral health concerns (such as impacted teeth or gum disease) before braces can be bonded. While traditional metal braces tend to be the more affordable option, adults usually seek more discreet orthodontic options, which tend to be more expensive. Adults may need to wear braces for a longer period than children, but this does not usually impact the price unless other interventions are needed. Finally, some insurance plans have a “lifetime” benefit amount, while others only cover braces for patients under 18. It’s best to contact your insurance company and get a full understanding of your coverage.

     

    What's Included in the Cost of Orthodontic Treatment?

    Kids Braces Cost

    Traditional metal braces tend to be the best option for kids and teens, which is also the most cost-effective option. As mentioned above, your location and the extent of your child’s orthodontic problems can impact the price. If you want to find the cost of braces in your area, start with search terms such as “teeth braces cost for children near me” or “how much do kids braces cost near me.” This search can help you find a more accurate cost of braces for kids in your immediate area. But be aware that there can be a lot of misleading claims or offers out there that hide the total price of treatment.

    Braces Frequently Asked Questions

    Braces work by applying constant yet gentle pressure on the teeth over the treatment period. Your teeth and jaw respond to the pressure, and the teeth begin to move.

    Underneath your gums, your teeth are surrounded by a ligament that helps move your teeth within your jaw. The ligament controls the position of your teeth and straightens your smile with the aid of brackets and archwires. Elastic bands can be used in braces to apply more pressure or target specific teeth to help improve your bite. These are different than elastic ties, which can be placed around the brackets for decorative purposes.

    Gum (yes, even sugar-free gum) and braces aren’t a good combination for several reasons. The stickiness of gum can cause it to get stuck in your wires, making it difficult to remove. It would also cause small bends in your wires. They may not be too noticeable, but it could ultimately move your teeth further out of place and add to your treatment time.

    Oral hygiene, including brushing your teeth with a toothbrush and flossing, is especially important when wearing braces. Food particles can get trapped in brackets and wires and can cause plaque and tartar, which can lead to cavities. We’ll show you how to use a floss threader, a piece of plastic with a large hook where the floss goes through (think of a large sewing needle with thread). You can slide this under your wire to floss between your teeth.

    A flossing tool such as a Waterpik may also be used. This tool cleans your teeth with a steady stream of water that cleans between your teeth and around your gums.

    There are still plenty of braces-safe options to maintain a healthy diet through orthodontic care! Most foods that are soft and easy to chew are perfect for eating when wearing braces. Any large fruits or vegetables should be cut into small pieces. You’ll also want to cut meat off the bone and corn off the cob. When in doubt if a certain food is safe, please ask us!

    Anything hard, chewy, sticky, and crunchy is not a good idea to eat while wearing braces. This includes hard candy, popcorn, nuts, hard pretzels, raw vegetables, and whole fruits (such as apples).

    The braces bonding process takes about 30 minutes for most patients. Our One-Step Bonding method makes the process more efficient because we determine the optimal placement of each bracket before your bonding appointment. In fact, many of our patients get their bonding done in a few as 15 minutes.

    After braces first get bonded to your teeth, they may feel uncomfortable, bringing sensitivity to chewing and eating. We recommend eating soft foods such as yogurt, oatmeal, ripe bananas, smoothies, eggs, and mashed potatoes. It’s also a great excuse to eat ice cream! The cold temperature soothes any inflammation as well. If you are experiencing any soreness, over-the-counter pain relievers can be given.

    Tiny rubber bands, known as elastics, are fitted onto some of the brackets and can be positioned in different ways. They’re often used to help correct different malocclusions, such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. In some cases, patients require additional devices, such as headgear to move their teeth into a new position.

    In 1819, the first modern dental braces were invented by Christophe-Francois Delabarre when a wire was placed to hold each set of two teeth. But evidence of an early concept of braces was found from the days of ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire!

    We have a variety of elastic tie colors to customize your braces! Many patients get colors for their favorite sports team or school colors. The possibilities are endless!

    We recommend you wait until after your orthodontic treatment to whiten your teeth. The gel can’t reach the areas of your teeth covered by brackets and wires. In the case of clear aligners, there may be small, clear attachments placed on your teeth that would block the whitening compound.

    There is no minimum age for braces, and orthodontic treatment benefits patients of all ages. But the American Association of Orthodontists recommends getting evaluated by age 7. By this time, most children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth that make it easier to detect issues with your child’s bite or jaw growth. Most kids are between ages 10 and 14 when orthodontic treatment starts.

    Getting braces doesn’t mean you have to give up sports! But you’ll want to protect your teeth by wearing a mouthguard when playing sports. When you visit us for your consultation or next appointment, ask about the best mouth guards for your child while in treatment.

    We will give you our best estimate of your treatment time when we present your treatment plan. Factors such as patient compliance (brushing, flossing, etc.) and the difficulty of the case are the major considerations. As a general rule of thumb, treatment times can range from less than six months to two years or more.

    alta smiles

    Corporate Office

    Address: 1300 Virginia Drive, Suite 119
    Fort Washington, PA 19034

    Phone: (215) 622-2653
    Email: info@altasmiles.com

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