Do you accept insurance? Do you accept assignment? Do you direct bill?

People often ask these questions at the same time because they have a hard time understanding their insurance. If you have any confusion on your end, bring your insurance details in for our team to help you decipher.

Do you take dual insurance? Do you direct bill both insurances? Will I have to pay if I have 2 insurances?

To find out what your insurances allow, we’ll need your help in determining your individual plan. We will gladly send a pre-determination to get an idea of the cost to you for major treatment.

Do you take Social Services or Indian Affairs patients?

Our practice’s core values ensure that all clients are welcome in our office.

How long will the first appointment take? What can I expect from it?

We need over an hour to thoroughly assess your teeth and gums and develop an action plan for addressing problems. If you would like to have your cleaning done on the same day, you’ll need to factor that time into your appointment.

Can a cleaning be done in one appointment?

That depends on how long it’s been since your last cleaning and how healthy your gums are. Some patients only need two yearly cleanings. But others must adhere to a strict maintenance program of cleanings to have a healthy mouth.

Do I have to get x-rays?

If you have had x-rays taken in the last year, please call your other office and have them forwarded to save money. Our dentist can’t treat you without x-rays which allow her to examine areas between teeth she couldn’t see otherwise.

Traditional Braces vs Invisalign Clear Aligner: Which is Better?

Are you worried about crooked or crowded teeth? Are you wondering what would be the best method is to fix them?

You’ve heard there are at least two choices; Invisalign or traditional braces. You might first wonder, what even is Invisalign? They are also called “clear aligners”. Invisalign was invented in 1997 by two Harvard students; Zia Christi and Kelsey Wirth. These two brilliant people invented and founded Align Technology®.

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Most people know what dental braces are. Orthodontics is the treatment of irregularities in the teeth (especially of alignment and occlusion) and jaws, including the use of braces.

In 1728, French dentist Pierre Fauchard, who is often credited with inventing modern orthodontics, published a book entitled “The Surgeon Dentist” on methods of straightening teeth.

Modern braces come with different variations of materials like metal (traditional braces), ceramic braces, lingual braces, and self-ligating braces. Invisalign is also classified as a brace, though it may not look like your traditional one.

INVISALIGN CLEAR ALIGNERS

The dentist takes a 3D image of your mouth and shows you using software what your smile will look like after the treatment
Multiple aligners are made to take your teeth from where they are to where you want them to be over the course of the treatment, a little change at a time
Invisalign is transparent and therefore most people won’t notice you’re wearing them
They can be removed easily
Easier to continue regular dental hygiene, brush and floss as normal (meaning do it daily)
Custom trimmed to the gum line for a more comfortable fit
Often take less time than traditional braces

Traditional Braces

An effective method to straighten teeth
Made from high-grade stainless steel
Tends to be more affordable than Invisalign
Dentists usually recommend traditional braces for those who have overcrowded teeth
A better choice for people who can’t or won’t remember to wear their Invisalign 22 hours a day.

Invisalign is an innovative class of braces but it is not a perfect tool. Though it is a high-tech tool for fixing your smile it still has its drawbacks. For example, it turns yellow when you casually smoke or drink soda, it is often more expensive than traditional braces, and you must remember to put them in and remove them while eating.

Traditional braces are the “go-to” for many dentists, especially for teenagers and children. Same as Invisalign, traditional braces are not perfect either.

Braces need care to keep from being damaged

There are issues with eating; especially crunchy and sticky foods, wires tend to loosen, and it usually takes 1 – 3 years depending on the patient’s case. These are just some examples of the cons of having traditional braces.

Whichever method you choose, don’t hesitate to gain the confidence and healthier life that a beautiful, straight smile can bring. We would love to help you achieve this.