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Traditional Braces – Woodbridge, CT

The Tried-and-True Route to Straighter Teeth

Close-up of woman pointing to traditional braces in Woodbridge

Do you suffer from a degree of dental misalignment, such as gapped teeth or crowded teeth? Traditional braces may be able to help! This treatment has already helped generations of patients to enjoy improved oral health and more attractive facial aesthetics. It is suitable for both children and adults. Here at New Haven Dental Group, we are proud to have an experienced team of dental experts who are happy to offer traditional braces in Woodbridge.

Why Choose New Haven Dental Group for Traditional Braces?

How Do Traditional Braces Work?

Woman’s smile with white teeth and metal braces

Traditional braces consist of brackets that are bonded to the teeth and a wire that connects the brackets. As the braces get tightened little by little at periodic appointments, they apply gentle pressure to the teeth and gradually move them into their proper positions. In many cases, braces work alongside other orthodontic appliances in order to ensure the best results possible. The average total treatment time with braces is 18 – 36 months.

What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?

Close-up of misaligned teeth in need of orthodontic treatment

When you visit your dentist in Woodbridge for your consultation, our team will answer your questions about all your teeth-straightening options. Traditional braces are a versatile treatment that can correct most types of dental alignment, from the mild to the severe. Here are a few examples of issues they can usually address:

Bite Misalignment

An overbite, underbite, or crossbite can endanger the health of teeth and lead to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Traditional braces often play a key role in addressing such issues and contributing to a harmonious bite. Your treatment may require additional accessories, such as elastics, to be completely successful.

Crowded & Crooked Teeth

Teeth that overlap can pose challenges for oral hygiene, negatively affect occlusion (how the bite works), and pose an aesthetic problem. Traditional braces, along with possible extractions, are often able to correct crowded and crooked teeth. After treatment, each tooth should be straight and have the space it needs to function its best.

Gapped Teeth

Gapped teeth may make chewing and speaking more difficult than they need to be — and that is in addition to their unattractive nature. In some cases, they can also leave the gums vulnerable to damage. Braces are often able to reposition the teeth and close those unsightly spaces.

Caring for Your Braces

Close-up of woman using water flosser to clean around braces

Caring well for your braces will help your treatment go well from beginning to end. Here are some basic things you need to do:

Understanding the Cost of Braces

Smiling young woman pointing at her braces in Woodbridge

The cost of braces in Woodbridge varies from patient to patient; it depends on numerous factors. When you come in for your consultation, we will be able to provide you with a price estimate. Generally speaking, braces are a cost-effective way to straighten teeth. Our team will help you explore provisions that may help you fit them into your budget, including insurance, financing, or a convenient monthly payment plan.

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Factors that Affect the Cost of Braces

Gloved hands holding dental model, explaining braces treatment

Some factors that affect the cost of braces include:

  • The extent of your dental misalignment. Severe issues, such as extreme crookedness or a badly misaligned bite, require more time and work to correct, so they logically lead to higher prices.
  • Whether you require accessories. Some patients need elastics, headgear, or other accessories to enjoy successful treatment.
  • Compliance with treatment. If you accidentally damage your braces or miss appointments, this can cause delays in your treatment and may increase its overall price.
  • The type of braces you choose. Traditional metal braces tend to be more affordable than alternative professional options.

Braces vs. DIY Options

Portrait of smiling teen boy with braces on his teeth

You may have seen advertisements for mail-order clear aligner systems that come at an attractively low price. You might have even watched videos on social media with people who claim to have created their own braces with household supplies. While such options might seem like a good way to save money, extreme caution is in order.

DIY braces tend to be dangerous; without personal support from dental professionals, you might end up harming your teeth or worsening your misalignment. Mail-order clear aligners also do not have a consistent track record of success. Plus, they are not approved to correct severe dental misalignment; only braces can do that.

Braces may cost a few thousand dollars, but they are a smart investment because they come with professional support, a proven history of success, and predictable results.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?

Using computer to research dental benefits for braces

Some dental insurance policies cover braces in Woodbridge. However, coverage is often limited to patients under 19 years of age. If your plan is applicable to your treatment, our team will be happy to help you file claims and take full advantage of your benefits. Your policy may reduce your out of pocket costs by hundreds of dollars! If your insurance will not cover braces, we will help you explore other options for managing the financial aspect of your care.

Options for Making Braces Affordable

Smiling dental patient, happy she could afford braces

As a braces dentist in Woodbridge, we offer a few provisions that might make it easier to afford your treatment:

  • We partner with CareCredit to provide low-interest and no-interest payment plans for patients.
  • Special pricing with AutoPay. We have an in-house financing special for braces — you could pay as little as $187 per month if you sign up for AutoPay.

Are you ready to learn more about braces and their cost? Our team will be happy to provide you with a price estimate and get you on the road to a straighter, healthier smile. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Traditional Braces FAQs

Close-up of woman’s smile with traditional braces in Woodbridge

If you are thinking about straightening your teeth with traditional braces in Woodbridge, our team is ready to help you. Before you schedule your orthodontic consultation, however, you may want to know more about the road in front of you. To help you gather information, we have put together a list of FAQs about this treatment, along with brief, to-the-point answers. If you do not see the information you were hoping for, give us a call so we can personally assist you.

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Am I Too Old to Get Braces?

It is true that braces are frequently associated with children and adolescents, but in reality, there is no upper age limit for this treatment. In fact, braces treatment for adults and younger people is largely the same. There are only a few differences. For example, adult treatment may take slightly longer because the teeth tend to become more firmly embedded in the jawbone as time passes. Additionally, insurance is less likely to cover braces for adults than it is for children. (If you are concerned about paying for treatment, ask us about your options — braces are within the financial reach of most patients!)

What Happens After You Get Your Braces Off?

Teeth have a sort of memory, which means that as soon as your braces come off, your teeth will want to drift back into their former positions. Fortunately, this can be prevented through the use of a retainer, a small device that holds the teeth in their new positions. Your retainer may be fixed in your mouth, or it may be removable. If you have a removable one, you will have to wear it full-time at first (20 – 22 hours each day). Eventually, though, you may need to wear it for only a few nights each week.

How Long Do Traditional Braces Take?

On average, it takes 1 – 3 years for braces to complete their work. How long your treatment takes will depend on a few factors, including:

  • Your age. Treatment for adults tends to take slightly longer than it does for younger patients.
  • The severity of your dental misalignment. Logically, more complex and severe misalignment takes longer to correct than milder cases.
  • Your compliance with treatment guidelines. If you forget to use certain accessories or accidentally end up breaking your braces, your treatment timeline could be significantly extended.

Do Traditional Braces Hurt?

Immediately after your braces are put on your teeth, you are likely to experience some soreness in your gums and teeth. Thereafter, you may notice similar discomfort whenever your braces are adjusted. The metal parts of your braces may also cause some sores on your soft oral tissues.

Here are some tips on how to cope with braces-related discomfort:

  • Take OTC pain relievers as necessary.
  • Sip on cold water.
  • Avoid eating hard or crunchy foods.
  • Apply orthodontic wax to any portion of your braces that irritates you.
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Woodbridge
(203) 389-7080 3 Research Drive
Woodbridge, CT
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