Traditional Braces – Branford, CT

The Tried-and-True Route to Straighter Teeth

close-up of young woman’s smile with braces in Branford

If you have misaligned teeth, you may be thinking about getting braces to straighten them. That is an excellent idea! Traditional metal braces in Branford have already helped countless individuals across multiple generations to achieve more confident smiles and improve their oral health — it is likely that they can help you as well. On this page, you will learn more about braces, how they work, and how they may benefit you.

Why Choose New Haven Dental Group for Traditional Braces?

Caring, experienced team
Treatment available for children and adults
Patient satisfaction is a top priority

How Do Traditional Braces Work?

young woman with braces

One of the first steps in the treatment process with traditional braces is when we bond a series of brackets to the fronts of your teeth. Then, we attach a special wire to the brackets. When you visit us for periodic checkups, we will tighten the wire little by little. With each adjustment, your teeth will move closer to their ideal positions. The total amount of time you spend with braces will depend on the extent of your dental misalignment, your age, and other factors.

What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?

close-up of smile with gapped teeth and braces

Traditional braces are capable of treating virtually any dental misalignment issue. Whether you are suffering from mild crookedness or much more severe problems, this treatment might be right for you. During your consultation with your dentist in Branford, you will learn more about your options for straightening your teeth.

Bite Misalignment

An open bite, overbite, underbite, or other type of malocclusion (bite problem) can put excess stress on your jaw and cause many other issues. Braces, typically with the help of additional accessories, can play a big role in correcting bite alignment and giving you a healthier, more functional mouth.

Crowded & Crooked Teeth

Teeth that are overlapping or too close together pose a threat to your oral health. For example, they can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Traditional braces, along with one or more possible extractions, can give your teeth the space they need to function well for the long-term.

Gapped Teeth

Having too much space between the teeth is embarrassing and uncomfortable. It may even increase your risk of gum problems, jaw aches, and other issues. Braces can bring the teeth closer together to improve your smile’s aesthetics, promote your oral health, and give you a more functional bite.

Caring for Your Braces

Close-up of woman’s mouth as she cleans beneath braces’ arch wire

Once you get into a good routine of caring for your braces, it should become second nature to you. Here are a few tips for proper braces maintenance:

Prioritize oral hygiene. You may need to use special tools, like a water flosser or floss threader, to thoroughly clean around your brackets and wires.
Adjust your eating habits. You might need to avoid sticky, hard, and chewy foods while you have braces. It is also wise to avoid items with small pieces that could get stuck in your braces, such as popcorn.
Attend dental appointments. Attending all recommended appointments will help you keep your orthodontic treatment on track from beginning to end.

Understanding the Cost of Traditional Braces

Smiling young woman, happy she could afford traditional braces in Branford

The cost of traditional braces in Branford varies from case to case. This is a highly customized treatment, and its price depends on a variety of factors. During your consultation, we will be able to provide you with a cost estimate and help you explore your payment options. Generally speaking, braces are more affordable than other orthodontic treatments.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces

Illustration of crooked teeth with traditional metal braces

Some factors that affect the cost of traditional braces include:

The severity of your dental misalignment. Logically, more severe cases require more time, effort, and accessories to correct. They therefore tend to incur higher fees.
Your age. It tends to take longer to move adults’ teeth than it does children’s teeth. Longer treatment times can contribute to higher costs.
Frequency of follow-up appointments. Patients need to come in every 2 – 8 weeks for a checkup. More appointments contribute to a higher overall cost.
Compliance with treatment. Missteps in complying with treatment instructions could lead to delays and extra fees.

Professional Braces vs. DIY Braces: Which Costs More?

Young woman at orthodontic checkup for professional braces

You may have seen hacks for DIY braces on social media or other platforms. For example, some people try to straighten their teeth with things like fishing line, superglue, rubber bands, and other household items. While attempting to straighten your teeth on your own may seem like an easy way to save money, it can actually end up costing you more than professional treatment.

DIY braces come with a very high risk of moving your teeth incorrectly, which could worsen your dental alignment and cause damage to your oral tissues. Having a professional address these issues can be quite costly. It is generally wiser to invest in professional care from the beginning.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?

Using calculator and invoice to budget for dental care

Some higher-end dental insurance policies do cover traditional braces. However, some cover them only for minors. If your policy does cover orthodontia for adults, it may pay for up to have of your treatment’s cost, up to the amount of your plan’s lifetime orthodontic maximum. Our team will be happy to help you figure out if your policy applies and how you can get the most out of your benefits.

Options for Making Braces Affordable

Patient handing over card to pay for dental care

Aside from insurance, there are a few provisions that may make it easier for you to afford braces:

New Haven Dental Group periodically offers special deals on orthodontia. Call us to find out if we have any current promotions that you can take advantage of.
Most patients qualify for low-interest third-party financing through CareCredit.
Essential Dental Plan. This discount plan provides reduced fees on most of the services we offer.

Are you ready to straighten your teeth? Contact us today to learn more about the cost of braces and how our team can help you navigate the financial aspects of your care.

Traditional Braces FAQs

Close-up of young person’s smile with braces in Branford

Our team is ready to help you straighten your teeth with traditional braces in Branford. Before you schedule your consultation, though, you may be eager to learn more about the road ahead. To help you out, we have put together the following list of FAQs about this treatment, along with succinct answers. If you see that your specific questions are not addressed, please give us a call so we can personally assist you.

Am I Too Old to Get Braces?

Many people think of braces as something that is used only for children and adolescents. However, while many orthodontic patients are quite young, adults can also benefit from traditional braces. Braces are a cost-effective way for patients of all ages to achieve straighter teeth. With that being said, insurance is more likely to cover care for minors than for older patients. Still, convenient financing is available for adults who would like to undergo orthodontic treatment.

Braces for adults and younger people work similarly. The biggest difference is that your treatment might take a little longer because the bones of more mature individuals are a bit slower to remodel, which means that tooth movements are a more gradual process.

Can I Get Traditional Braces on Just My Top or Bottom Teeth?

Many people are interested in single-arch orthodontic treatment because they wish to save money. However, it is almost never recommended. Moving the teeth in one dental arch while leaving the other arch in place can lead to complications. For example, if the braces move the upper teeth forward, it can create or worsen an overbite. If the upper teeth move backward, it may lead to an underbite. Moving both dental arches simultaneously is usually the best way to ensure that your entire smile looks and feels its best.

What Happens After You Get Your Braces Off?

Once your braces are removed, you will progress into the maintenance phase of your treatment. Wearing your retainer is extremely important because without it, your teeth could easily begin to drift back into their former positions. If your retainer is removable, you should wear it for 20 – 22 hours each day at first. Eventually, you may be able to wear it only at night. At some point, you may even be able to transition to wearing it for just a few nights each week.

How Long Do Traditional Braces Take?

The average treatment time with traditional braces is 18 – 36 months. How long it will take in your case depends on a few factors, such as:

The severity of your dental misalignment. Logically, more complex and severe cases tend to take longer to correct.
Your age. Adults’ teeth tend to move more slowly than those of younger people.
Your compliance with treatment guidelines. If you fail to use your accessories as recommended or make other missteps during treatment, you could delay your final results.

During your consultation, our team will provide you with an estimate for how long your braces may take.

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