procedure, straightening your teeth is a big deal! Whether you’re choosing an orthodontist for yourself or for your child, you want a professional that you can trust to do a great job. After all, you want to walk away from treatment with a smile that will truly WOW! everyone you meet!
If you’ve made the decision to move forward with orthodontic treatment, we’re excited for you! We want to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible in your decision before getting started, that’s why our WOW! Smiles ™ Orthodontic team compiled a list of FAQ’s to help guide you— keep reading to learn more!
What are my treatment options?
Knowing which treatment options the orthodontist specializes in is a critical factor in deciding on the practice you select to work with. Getting braces is a lengthy process that requires years of work in some cases. Due to the unpredictable duration of the process, you should carefully consider which method of treatment is best for your needs/lifestyle before committing to an office.
WOW! Smiles ™ Orthodontics offers a wide range of orthodontic treatment options for all ages, and we pride ourselves in providing quality, patient centered care. Meaning, we only recommend treatment if you need it, and our doctors make sure to provide you a customized treatment plan that is best suited to your specific needs. Here are the treatment types we specialize in:
Pitts 21 Metal Braces
As the traditional option, metal braces are often our first choice we recommended when considering orthodontic treatment. As far as technology goes, orthodontic treatment options have come a long way. We’re excited to offer you the latest self-ligating braces options.
Our Pitts 21 self-ligating braces are a revolutionary treatment option that provides greater comfort, faster results, and fewer appointments. What’s not to love about that?!
These braces are unique because the brackets use less force and create less friction to move your teeth into place, and they do it all with greater control and better results.
Instead of holding the wire in place with elastic bands, Pitts 21 brackets use a slide mechanism.
This puts less pressure on your teeth and makes treatment more comfortable.
With gentle, continuous pressure, your teeth are aligned over a period of 12-36 months, depending on the severity of your case, your mouth’s response to treatment, and your desired outcome.
Invisalign (Clear Aligners)
Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. It uses a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. This removable treatment option uses a series of clear trays that adjust your teeth without wires or brackets. By wearing these trays for 22 hours per day for 9 -15 months, you’ll see results in no time.
Are you a trained orthodontic specialist?
This question seems like a no-brainer, but many people are surprised to learn that the professional advising their orthodontic care (your Dentist), is not actually a trained orthodontist. Although all orthodontists are considered dentists, not every dentist is an orthodontist. Even though your dentist offers orthodontic care alongside cleanings, fillings, and crowns, that does not mean they have the expertise to align your teeth in the same way a trained orthodontist does.
To become a certified orthodontist, an individual must complete their undergraduate medical education, attend a graduate program specifically for dentistry, and pass a certification exam. In addition, they must also compete for a position in a rigorous orthodontic residency program after their general dentistry certification. These programs usually last two to three years and include full-time training, meaning they have:
- Studied the growth and maturation of teeth and jaw
- Been introduced to numerous case studies
- Developed diagnostic skills
- Learned biomechanical techniques to properly move teeth
- Studied how to change the development of the dental alveolar complex and facial growth of younger patients
There are exceptions to every case, but most general dentists do not have this depth of training under their belt.
Just like with any medical field, it is important to see a specialist for the area of care you require. If you are looking for foundational oral health maintenance, you’ll want to visit your general or pediatric dentist. If you are looking to change the structure of your jawline or alter the alignment of your teeth, you will need the care of a trained orthodontist for the best results.
Do you offer payment plans? Will you accept insurance policies?
Your smile is an investment, and you deserve to understand the financial commitment that comes with it. We’re happy to help answer all questions about financing options, payment plans, and insurance policies before you move forward.
WOW! Smiles™ was founded on the idea that everyone deserves a beautiful, confident smile.
That means finances shouldn’t be an obstacle to reaching that smile or enjoying great orthodontic care, so that is why we remove traditional barriers that typical prevent people from getting started with treatment, with most of those barriers being financial.
We offer wide range of payment options, including:
- 0% interest financing
- No down payment
- Affordable monthly payments starting at $129!
While each and every case requires a different approach due to the severity of your orthodontic needs, we offer a free exam so that you can feel comfortable and knowledgeable about the orthodontic treatment before we ask for your commitment. We’ll also work with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures. We’re one of the only few orthodontic practices who proudly accept Medi-Cal for orthodontic services.
How often are check-up appointments?
While your exact follow-up timing will vary depending on the orthodontic treatment plan determined by expert doctors, we will schedule most patients’ adjustment appointments every six to eight weeks. Patients using Invisalign® may be seen slightly less frequently, but these appointments are still just crucial for your overall orthodontic process!
The average process will take anywhere from 8 to 36 months to achieve your perfect smile, but visible results are evident as early as the first few months with most treatment plans. We know you’re busy, and we value your time, just give us a heads up if you’re running late or need to reschedule, but don’t forget that your participation in the follow-up care is just as meaningful and important!
For the Best Results, Quality you can trust, and a friendly WOW! Experience, Choose WOW! Smiles!
Our WOW! Smiles™ team of clinically trained experts are ready to help you get started on the journey to the smile of your dreams! With several convenient locations, your new smile is always right around the corner! If you’re ready to learn more about orthodontic treatment, contact one of our offices to schedule a FREE exam today!