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Dental Associates Blog

Our Experts. Your Oral Health

A happy young girl with purple glasses smiles widely, showing her metal dental braces.
Jan 17
What Braces Cost and How to Pay for Them

If you or your child needs orthodontic treatment, most likely the first thing you’re going to wonder is how much braces cost and how you’ll be able to pay for them. Braces are an investment in your smile and overall health, and Dental Associates’ orthodontic teams will not only provide you the best care during braces treatment but will also assist you in discovering how to pay for braces so you can achieve the straight smile you’ve always wanted. If you're ready to get started, request your FREE consultation, or read on to learn more. How Much do Braces Cost? At Dental Associates, the cost of braces depends on your specific case and your insurance coverage. Before considering insurance and other factors, here’s what braces cost: Child, 18-month treatment: $7,095 Adult, 18-month treatment: $7,373 It’s important to take into consideration that many dental insurance plans help cover the cost of orthodontic treatment. Please talk to our orthodontic teams to learn more about your specific case. Also, read below to discover other ways to offset the cost of braces. How to Pay for Braces Here are ways that Dental Associates can assist you in paying for your braces to get your perfect smile: 5% discount: We offer a 5% discount on your braces cost if you choose to pay for the treatment in full with either cash, credit/debit cards or check. These savings can help you feel more comfortable about your investment and budget. Monthly payment options: We offer monthly payment options to make your orthodontic expenses more manageable. For added convenience, Dental Associates accepts automatic monthly payments through a checking or savings account. HSA / FSA: We accept payment in full and monthly payment contracts made with your Health Savings Account (HSA) and/or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). We encourage you to check with your HSA or FSA account representatives to confirm that orthodontic services are covered by your account. CareCredit: CareCredit is a personal line of credit specifically for health care needs and can be used for many health, beauty, and wellness costs such as dental, medical, vision, and more. Dental Associates offers monthly payment plans paid to CareCredit, which can be deferred interest (no interest) for up to 24 months! Learn more about CareCredit for dental expenses. Additional dental insurance: Our clinics offer CarePlus dental insurance, which assists in offsetting braces costs. Ask our friendly team members at your consultation to learn more about CarePlus, no matter if you have your own dental insurance or none at all. (CarePlus may not be eligible with all insurances.) Dental Associates is dedicated to helping you smile more! Our warm-hearted orthodontic teams invite you into our clinics for a complimentary orthodontic consultation to see how we can help you have a happier and healthier smile. Schedule a consultation with us below.

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A colorful close-up assortment of candies featuring an orange lollipop, gummy bears, and jelly beans.
Oct 16
Halloween Candy and Braces: 7 Tips from an Orthodontist

Navigating the Halloween Season While Wearing Braces Halloween is a time for costumes, spooky decorations, and, of course, candy! This is a favorite holiday for many, but if you're one of the millions of people with braces, you might feel left out of the sweet festivities. Don't worry; you can still enjoy Halloween candy while taking good care of your braces. In this blog post, we'll explore tips and tricks to help you navigate the candy-filled holiday season without compromising your orthodontic treatment. Here are seven tips to help you enjoy the Halloween season while minimizing the risk to your braces. 1. Know Your Candy Not all candies are created equal when it comes to braces. Some are relatively safe, while others can wreak havoc on your braces. Here's a breakdown of the most common Halloween candies: Braces-Friendly Candy: Soft chocolates, peanut butter cups, and melt-in-your-mouth treats are typically safer options. These candies are less likely to damage your braces. Candies to Avoid: Hard candies, sticky treats (like caramel and taffy), and anything that requires a lot of chewing (like jawbreakers or gummy candies) can damage or get stuck in your braces. 2. Moderation is Key While it's tempting to indulge in all your favorite Halloween treats, it's essential to practice moderation. Limit the consumption of candies that pose a higher risk to your braces and focus on the safer options. Remember that even brace-friendly candies can contribute to tooth decay, so don't overdo it. 3. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene During Halloween, maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine is more crucial than ever. Brushing and flossing regularly will help remove any residual candy particles trapped in your braces. Carry a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste with you to enjoy Halloween festivities away from home. 4. Stay Hydrated Drinking water can help flush away sugar and acid from your mouth, reducing the risk of tooth decay. Carry a water bottle while trick-or-treating or attending Halloween parties to stay hydrated. 5. Cut or Break Candy into Smaller Pieces If you decide to indulge in a bit chewier or stickier candy, consider cutting it into smaller pieces. This reduces the risk of it getting lodged in your braces and makes it easier to clean your teeth afterward. 6. Check Your Braces After enjoying your Halloween candy, take a moment to inspect your braces in the mirror. Look for any signs of damage or loose wires or brackets. If you notice anything amiss, contact your orthodontist for advice and repairs. 7. Timing Matters Enjoy your candy after a meal rather than as a snack throughout the day. This helps minimize the time your teeth are exposed to sugar and acids, reducing the risk of tooth decay. Halloween can still be a fun and enjoyable time, even with braces. By making wise choices, practicing moderation, and maintaining excellent oral hygiene, you can indulge in sweet treats without compromising your orthodontic treatment. Remember that your orthodontist is there to help if you encounter any issues with your braces. So embrace the Halloween spirit, and don't let braces hold you back from enjoying the festivities!

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Close-up of a person smiling with perfectly straight, bright white teeth.
Jan 6
Should We Only Look at the Social Six?

First impressions can be lasting, and a person’s smile can have a large impact. At Dental Associates, we want to help boost your confidence with a healthy and beautiful smile. Whether we are looking at your entire smile or just the “social six” there are many options available for patients. What are the social six? The social six refer to the top front six teeth you see when a person smiles. Many times, when looking at cosmetic treatments, these are the teeth we focus on, however, it is important to look at a patient’s smile as a whole and not just six teeth. Why should I focus on all my teeth and not just the social six? There are a few reasons we sometimes avoid only looking at the social six. First, when some people smile, we see more than those top front teeth so we may need to include the bottom teeth or more teeth on the top arch as well. There are also cases where a patient may be experiencing bruxism (teeth grinding) or missing teeth which can cause more issues if not addressed. By only focusing on the front six teeth, there could be issues with chipping or fracturing teeth and bite issues. What are my options for improving the appearance of my smile? There are many options to improve your smile! From cosmetic changes to orthodontic corrections, your team of dentists at Dental Associates can do it all under one roof. Teeth Whitening: a very common request is to whiten a patient’s teeth. Teeth whitening products contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These ingredients work to break down stains into smaller pieces and reduce the concentration of color, in turn making your teeth brighter. There are many options from at-home whitening to professional whitening in our clinic. Veneers: another common method of improving your smile is through veneers. Dental veneers are thin, custom-made teeth that cover the front surface of your natural teeth. Veneers are ideal for cracked, chipped, discolored, or worn teeth, and help make your smile more uniform, brighter, and healthier looking. Orthodontics: whether you are considering braces or clear aligners, orthodontics can help straighten your smile. By straightening your teeth, you can better prevent plaque buildup, which reduces your risk of gum disease. Whether you choose to focus on just your social six or your entire mouth, we have a wide range of options to help improve your smile and boost your confidence.

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A hand holding a pair of clear plastic orthodontic aligners against a dark background.
Dec 9
Invisalign vs. Invisalign Go

Invisalign is often a preferred treatment option for those who want a discrete way to straighten teeth. While many patients recognize Invisalign, not many are familiar with Invisalign Go. What makes these two products different? In short, the difference comes down to the length of time, the severity of your case, and which provider you are seeing.

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a young girl smiling with braces with a backpack and headphones on.
Mar 5
How to Plan for The Cost of Braces

Planning for the cost of braces, or orthodontic treatment is something we often forget to take into consideration. With the increased popularity of orthodontic treatment, many parents have begun to expect this additional expense and are looking for ways to plan effectively and prepare for a treatment that will set the foundation for their child’s smile.

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close up of straight teeth with brackets and wire from braces
Feb 7
When Is A Good Time for Braces?

Many parents begin asking when their children will need braces when their child is still very young. While anyone can benefit from braces at nearly any time in their life, most individuals start braces at about 12 or 13 years old, with the opportunity to start earlier if needed. The timing in these years is beneficial because the head and mouth are still growing, which makes the process more conducive to shifting teeth.

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woman with braces on the left and different woman with invisalign clear aligners on the right
Jan 8
Invisalign vs. Braces

When we look at clear aligner therapy (Invisalign®) and braces as what they are, tools to move teeth, it becomes easier to compare them against one another. Teeth don’t know the difference between Invisalign® and braces, but there are biomechanical benefits to the way both tools move teeth and why orthodontists select one over the other when working with patients. In terms of oral hygiene and the ability to move teeth, Invisalign® is often a preferred treatment option for compromised periodontal (gum) tissues, open bites, and minor crowding. Busy patients also benefit from shorter appointments and longer appointment intervals, only having to see your orthodontist for approximately 15 minutes every 2-3 months for a standard adjustment.

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young woman brushing her teeth and smiling into the mirror
Dec 24
Why Do I Have White Spots on My Teeth?

Teeth develop white spots for several reasons, some more serious than others. A lot of times we wonder if they’re a cosmetic issue that will go away, or if they’re indicators of a bigger health issue. A lot of times white spots are a loss of mineral content in the enamel. This loss of mineral content is the result of a buildup of acidity in the plaque on our teeth. Acidity comes from the foods and drinks we consume but is also a byproduct of the bacteria in our mouth, which creates more acid when we consume carbohydrates. Another common cause of a white spot is trauma to the tooth during development.

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young woman holding her clear aligner tray and putting them in her mouth
Dec 18
Are Direct-to-Consumer Clear Aligners Effective?

In recent years, we have seen a rise in at-home dental products meant to straighten or fix teeth. Direct-to-consumer companies often set up kiosks in malls or pharmacies and offer digital scans of your teeth. While this is a useful technology in understanding the placement and shape of your teeth and bite, digital scans do not provide full insight into your oral health. Creating a beautiful smile takes much more than a scan or impression of your teeth.

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