Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Braces for Adults & Seniors
How Much Do Braces for Adults & Seniors Cost?
The total cost of braces varies according to each patient’s specific orthodontic needs. For example, your braces will most likely cost more if your teeth require significant realignment. However, your insurance coverage also plays a role in determining your final out-of-pocket costs.
Koga Orthodontics accepts a wide range of insurance providers, making our services more cost-effective and accessible for the vast majority of patients. For an accurate estimate based on your individual needs, the best bet is to contact us directly.
How Long Do Adult Braces Take?
Typically, adult braces take 1-3 years to realign a patient’s teeth. However, the length of time required depends on how much realignment is needed. The effectiveness of your braces will also depend on how well you follow our recommendations for maintaining them. Many adults who wear braces experience results more quickly than children simply because they are better at following instructions to care for them.
Are Adult Braces Painful?
While wearing braces as an adult, you may experience some soreness and discomfort as your teeth gradually shift over time. You may find it difficult to chew certain foods for a few days after your braces have been adjusted, but this sensitivity typically disappears afterwards and you should be able to resume normal activities.
What Kinds of Braces Can Adults & Seniors Get?
Adults and seniors may be eligible for different types of braces, depending on their budget and needs. At Koga Orthodontics, we offer clear aligners, plus clear and traditional braces for adult patients.
Will I Need a Retainer After My Braces Come Off?
Patients need to wear retainers after their braces come off to prevent their teeth from slowly shifting back to their original positions. This is just as true for adults and seniors as it is for children and teens. You should also expect to visit us regularly once your braces have been removed to confirm that the alignment of your teeth continues to remain ideal.
Should I Get Braces As An Adult?
If your teeth are misaligned to the point where it affects your confidence or makes it hard to take care of them properly, braces can be an excellent way to improve your smile and oral hygiene. Anyone can get braces as an adult, as long as their teeth and gums are healthy enough. To find out if adult braces can help you, contact Koga Orthodontics and speak to a qualified member of our team.
Frequently Asked Questions about Braces for Kids
How Much Do Braces for Kids Cost?
The cost of braces for kids depends on their specific needs. Braces for teeth that need more realigning will be more expensive than braces to correct less severe issues. Insurance coverage also plays a role in determining how much you’ll pay out-of-pocket.
At Koga Orthodontics, we bill to a wide variety of insurance providers, making it easier for you to get high-quality treatment for your children at a fair price.
To get an accurate estimate for your child’s braces, contact us and speak with a member of our team.
How Long Do Kids Need to Wear Braces?
Most kids and teenagers who get braces need to wear them for about two years, although there are exceptions. Children with more severely misaligned teeth may require braces for longer periods, while minor corrections can take less time as long as the braces are properly maintained. When you bring your child to Koga Orthodontics for braces, we’ll walk you through a plan that includes a timeline of when we expect their braces to come off.
Does Getting Braces Hurt?
Many children find the process of getting used to braces a little strange at first, and some can experience discomfort as their teeth slowly shift over time. Most soreness occurs after your child’s braces have been put on or adjusted and can make it difficult for them to chew certain foods for a few days. However, this sensation usually goes away afterwards.
What Kinds of Braces Are Available for Kids?
Braces and custom-made appliances are available for kids depending on each patient’s needs. At Koga Orthodontics, children may be strong candidates for either clear braces or traditional braces.
What Is the Process for Getting Braces?
Before your child can start orthodontic treatment, you’ll have to bring them in for an appointment where we’ll check their teeth, the bones, and surrounding soft tissues. The information we collect during this process will allow us to create a custom plan for improving the alignment of their teeth and correcting their bite.
Once your child’s braces come off, they will need to wear a retainer. Retainers prevent a patient’s teeth from reverting to their initial positions over time. You’ll also need to keep taking your child to see us on a regular basis so we can make sure the alignment of their teeth stays consistent.
Does My Child Need Braces?
If your child’s teeth or jaws are misaligned to the point where it affects their smile, oral hygiene, ability to chew food, or speech, early treatment with braces and/or custom made appliances can be an excellent solution. Also, If your child has the following symptoms, you should bring them in for an orthodontic evaluation:
- Snoring
- Bedwetting
- Mood Swings
- Behavior problems
- Teeth grinding
- Mouth breathing
- Difficulty paying attention during school hours
These are often symptomatic of constricted airways in a patient, which can be improved by realigning the teeth and correcting the bite in many cases.
To learn more about what braces can do for your child, contact Koga Orthodontics and chat with someone on our team.
Frequently Asked Questions about Traditional Braces
How Much Do Traditional Braces Cost?
Every patient faces different costs for braces depending on their needs. Braces for severely misaligned teeth will be more expensive than braces for correcting smaller issues. Insurance coverage also affects how much you’ll pay out-of-pocket.
At Koga Orthodontics, we bill to a broad network of insurance providers, making it easier for you to get high-quality treatment without driving up costs. For a more accurate idea of how much you can expect to pay for braces, contact us and book an appointment.
How Long Do Traditional Braces Take?
Braces generally take anywhere from 1-3 years, and 2 years is common for younger patients. If your alignment issues are less severe and you follow our instructions for maintaining your braces carefully, it may be possible to get them off sooner. When you visit Koga Orthodontics for braces, we’ll present you with a custom plan that includes a timeline for when they will likely come off.
Does Getting Traditional Braces Hurt?
When you get traditional braces, they will be bonded to the teeth and rubber bands will be used to hold the wire inside the brackets, which can be tightened at specific points to slowly change the alignment of your teeth. Braces are available for people of all ages.
Next, we’ll change these wires strategically, guiding your teeth to change positions over time. This process can occasionally feel uncomfortable, especially just after your braces have been adjusted.
You may experience soreness for several days after getting braces or having them adjusted, especially when chewing food. However, this feeling normally goes away afterward.
What Is the Process for Getting Traditional Braces?
The first step towards getting braces is to visit us for an appointment. During this process, we’ll examine your teeth and mouth, collecting data we can use to make braces that fit you properly.
When you visit us to have your braces put on, we’ll place small rubber bands around your brackets, connecting the wires to your teeth. Adjusting the tension of these wires over time helps your teeth move into the proper alignment.
After your braces are removed, we’ll provide you with a retainer. This device prevents your teeth from shifting back to their old positions over time. You’ll also need to make regular appointments with us to ensure your teeth remain aligned in the future.
Who Can Get Traditional Braces?
Nearly everyone is a candidate for traditional braces, as long as their teeth and gums are healthy enough. When you come in for an appointment, we’ll check the condition of your teeth and your medical history to ensure we can fit you for a set of effective braces.
Should I Get Traditional Braces?
Traditional braces are one of the most affordable ways to improve the way your teeth look and make it easier to care for them. If your teeth are misaligned to the point where they cause discomfort during regular activities or affect your confidence when smiling, contact Koga Orthodontics and find out how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bite & Jaw Correction
How Expensive Is Bite & Jaw Correction?
The costs involved with correcting bite and jaw issues depend on how severely they are misaligned and what procedure is required. Generally, the less invasive a treatment is, the less it costs. For example, palatal expanders and traditional braces are considerably less expensive than orthognathic surgery, which involves making small incisions in the jawbones to alter the way they close.
The best way to find out how much your bite or jaw correction will cost is to contact our practice. We’ll perform a thorough assessment of your bite and jaw issues to create a custom treatment plan and provide you with an estimate.
Do I Need Surgery to Correct My Jaw Alignment?
Most cases of bite and jaw misalignment do not require surgery. Before recommending surgery for our patients, we consider all other available orthodontic treatments to see if we can solve your issues with a less-invasive option.
How Long Does Bite & Jaw Realignment Take?
The length of time it takes to realign your teeth and jaws depends on the type of treatment you need. Traditional braces must often be worn for 1-3 years, whereas recovering from orthognathic surgery typically takes 2-3 weeks. However, preparing for surgery can take up to one and a half years, during which we will have to level your teeth to reduce crowding and improper angulation.
During the recovery process for surgery, it is also difficult to perform everyday tasks like speaking or chewing. In addition to being more affordable, non-surgical solutions are less disruptive for patients.
How Does Jaw Realignment Surgery Work?
If you require jaw surgery to correct your alignment issues, Koga Orthodontics will consult with you to ensure that you are a strong candidate and refer you to a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who can perform the procedure.
If you decide to proceed, your surgeon will perform a thorough analysis of the way your jaw is structured, and your orthodontist will work with you to adjust the alignment of your teeth before your jaw surgery is scheduled.
During the operation itself, you’ll be placed under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will then perform small incisions in your jaw bones and install custom bone plates with screws to secure your jaws in their new position. You’ll need to stay in the hospital for 1-2 nights after the operation and will likely need to wear special braces for several weeks afterward to reduce jaw movement during healing.
Who Is a Candidate for Jaw Realignment Surgery?
Candidates for jaw surgery should be old enough that their jaws have stopped growing. This generally occurs around age 16 for girls and around age 18 for boys, although every patient is different.
It’s also important to have relatively healthy teeth and gums before undergoing jaw surgery. A history of smoking, bone loss, or gum disease can all impact your ability to undergo jaw surgery successfully. We’ll discuss these factors and others during your consultation.
What Bite & Jaw Problems Can Koga Orthodontics Solve?
At Koga Orthodontics, we commonly deal with the following bite and jaw alignment problems:
- Open bite: the upper and lower front teeth are unable to meet when the jaw closes.
- Crossbite: some of the lower teeth come outside of the upper teeth during jaw closure.
- Overbite: the upper teeth sit too far down in front of the lower teeth when the jaw closes.
- Underbite: the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth during jaw closure.
To find out more about how we can help with your specific bite and jaw problems, contact our practice. We’ll be happy to book an appointment for you where we can learn more about your issue and create a personalized solution.
Frequently Asked Questions about Clear-Aligners
How Much Do Clear-Aligners Cost?
The individual costs of clear-aligners depend on how much realignment your teeth need and how much your insurance will cover. Clear aligners tend to be more expensive than traditional braces, but many people still find them affordable.
To learn more about how much your clear-align braces will cost, contact our practice and speak with someone on our team. We’ll be happy to schedule an appointment for you so we can learn more about your needs and create a custom plan for giving you the smile you deserve.
Does Getting Clear Aligners Hurt?
Most people find that clear aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces. Since clear aligners are designed to fit your teeth ahead of time and can usually be removed, you won’t have to sit in a chair waiting for bands and wires to be attached to your teeth.
However, you may still experience mild discomfort when wearing clear aligners as they encourage your teeth to shift over time. Cleaning your aligners regularly and wearing them as directed will reduce these sensations and make your experience as pleasant as possible.
Can Anyone Get Clear Aligners?
Most people are good candidates for clear aligners, but they aren’t for everybody. You may benefit more from traditional braces if you have:
- Smaller teeth
- Severe misalignment issues
- TMJ problems
- Dental implants
When you visit our practice, we’ll assess the condition of your teeth and look at your medical history to find out whether you’re a strong candidate for clear aligners. If not, we’ll be happy to recommend a treatment that will be more effective for you.
How Long Do Clear Aligners Take?
Many people get desirable results from clear-aligners in 24 months or less, but the length of time it will take to adjust your teeth depends on how much alignment your teeth need and how carefully you follow our recommendations. For best results, make sure to keep your aligners clean and wear them as directed.
What Is the Process for Getting Clear Aligners?
Getting clear aligners involves the following steps:
- Consultation: you’ll come into our practice for an appointment, where we’ll take a closer look at your teeth and scan your mouth. We use the information we collect to make sure you’re a good candidate for clear aligners and design effective aligners for your needs.
- Preparation: we have your aligners made and provide you with details on how to use and care for them.
- Application: we will bond the attachments on your teeth, and you’ll receive several sets of aligners, along with a schedule for when to change the trays. You’ll also have to schedule regular appointments with us to ensure your aligners are working correctly.
- Aftercare: once your aligners have done their job, you’ll get a retainer that helps your newly aligned teeth stay in place. We’ll also let you know how often to schedule appointments with us to ensure your smile stays straight and even going forward.
Should I Get Clear Aligners?
Clear-aligners can be one of the easiest ways to get the smile you want while making your mouth healthier and more comfortable. Contact Koga Orthodontics today and learn more about how we can provide you with clear aligners you’ll love wearing.