Our staff and patients have both been very happy since we moved our office back in October. We love the modern feel of the new location and the new equipment. We’ve received tons of great feedback from patients, especially from kids who can now play Xbox in our reception area.

We’d like to congratulate the newest member of the Advance Orthodontics team, Jennifer, who will be working at the front desk as a scheduling coordinator, alongside Tiffany.

The tooth brushing area is still “under construction,” but we hope to have it finished soon!

We’ll also be adding a “review kiosk” to our reception area for patients and parents to leave us feedback and provide suggestions. We look forward to hearing from y’all!

Traditional Braces

These braces are either metal or ceramic, have bands and wires and are glued to the teeth. The individual is able to drink, eat and brush their teeth without taking their braces out. The braces are visible from the outside, but the ceramic ones blend into the color of the teeth much more than the metal ones. Certain foods such as popcorn and hard candy should be avoided, as they can damage the braces. Metal braces are often worn by children, whereas ceramic braces are more common for adults.

Main advantage over Invisalign: patient cannot remove them, so compliance is not as much of a problem.

Invisalign

These aligners are the latest technology in orthodontic tooth movement and are a way to straighten the teeth and correct the bite without braces. They are made of a firm, clear plastic and fit over the teeth like a bleach tray, night guard or retainer. Aligners must be removed when you drink and eat. The major problem with aligners being removable is that if they are not worn at least 20-22 hours per day, the desired tooth movement may not occur. Certain issues such as large spaces between teeth and severe overbites may not be correctable with this type of treatment alone.

Main advantage over braces: esthetics; easier oral hygiene.

Invisalign and Braces Together

More and more often, we find ourselves combing these two techniques in unique ways.  Often, for example, if a patient has too much crowding and overlapping of the lower teeth but the upper teeth are not as severe, we will use braces for the bottom and Invisalign for the top.  For most people, the upper teeth are much more visible when they smile and speak, so this combination works well.

If you’re curious about which celebrities have had braces check out this blog post.

Advance Orthodontics will be moving from its current location to the shopping center across the street! Our new address will be 10455 Briar Forest Dr., Suite 200 E, Houston, TX 77042. The new office will be located in a shopping center with a nail salon, Prince’s Hamburgers, Palazzo’s Restaurant, Quizno’s and a Kolache Factory. Our office will be directly above Palazzo’s, so maybe you can convince them to throw a pizza or at least a breadstick up to you when you come in!

We will have brand new, state-of-the-art orthodontic chairs and equipment, one semi-private treatment room, and much more. Patients and their families will enjoy the ultra-modern feel and décor of the new office. We’ll also be adding great new amenities, including an Internet Bar, kids’ room with video games, coffee bar, WiFi internet access, and HDTV in the reception room.

Mark your calendar for October 10, 2012 and join Advance Orthodontics at its new home!

The vast majority of people will need some type of orthodontic treatment in their lifetime. The average cost of orthodontic treatment can vary greatly. Dental insurance can reduce the cost of treatment; however, it is important to note that some insurance plans do not cover orthodontic treatment. Patients should never assume that they are covered just because they have dental insurance. It is wise to check with one’s provider first.

People who do have insurance should be cognizant of the fact that most insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits have a lifetime maximum benefit of between $1000 and $3000.  The patient must cover the remainder of the cost for treatment.  Some plans also include age limits for the party receiving the treatment (often age 19).

Also note that most orthodontic treatments are paid for over time, according to a payment plan that is set up before treatment begins.  Think of this as “in-house financing.”  Typically, the payments are spread out over the length of the treatment.

For those who need even more flexible options (now rare, considering the flexible options offered with in-house financing), there are third party credit providers who will make loans for “medical purposes.”  The approval process is very similar to getting a personal loan or credit card.

The length of time an orthodontic treatment takes depends on the individual patient. An average comprehensive treatment takes around 18 months, but cases vary widely, and sometimes a limited solution can be reached more quickly than a comprehensive one. The length of an orthodontic treatment will depend largely on the extent of the misalignment of the teeth and bite as well as many other factors such as skeletal jaw discrepancies, periodontal disease, missing teeth, excessive tooth wear, TMJ/TMD problems, etc.

A wide variety of issues may be responsible for orthodontic problems. Some of these include thumb sucking, breathing through the mouth, and traumatic injuries.  The most important factor, however, is genetics, so you can thank Mom and Dad for your crooked teeth!