| Age for treatment
Formerly, it was believed that adults were not good candidates for orthodontic treatment because their jaws had stopped growing and the jawbone was too dense.
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| Braces for adults
The reasons for adult orthodontics can be as varied as the reasons for children's orthodontics; and with the proper procedure, teeth can be moved at any age.
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| Braces for kids
Although teeth can be straightened at any age, the usual age for the first orthodontic exam is seven years. However, early preventative orthodontic treatment can be appropriate for children as young as five or six years.
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| Cost of treatment
The cost for orthodontic treatment depends on where you live and how much work needs to be done. Orthodontic treatment can be found for around three thousand dollars.
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| Insurance coverage
Check with your insurance company or employer to find out how much orthodontic treatment is covered by your health plan. Here are some important questions to ask: does my plan cover orthodontic treatment and, if so, at what percentage? Are there any limitations to coverage, such as age or maximum dollar amount? Typically a plan will pay fifty percent up to one-thousand to fifteen hundred dollars over the lifetime of the patient.
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| Length of treatment
Although the average orthodontic treatment time is about 24 months, this varies with individual patients. Usually, procedures for adults take a little longer than those for a child.
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| Orthodontics explained
The way in which the biting surfaces of the teeth come into contact with each other is called occlusion. Occlusion involves the entire mouth and jaw system, including the teeth, gums, jaw joint, facial muscles, and nervous system.
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| The first visit
On your first visit to an orthodontist, a short examination will be performed to determine your particular need for treatment. Once the dentist decides your teeth need straightening, a full examination is made, which includes x-rays and molds of the teeth.
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| Types of treatment
Orthodontic treatment is the use of devices to move teeth or adjust underlying bone. The type of device used depends on the problems that have to be corrected.
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| Who should wear braces?
Orthodontics can not only improve your smile and facial appearance, it can also make you healthier. If you have crooked teeth, the main reason you should get braces is for your dental health.
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