Clear & Ceramic Braces – Palm Harbor, FL
Braces That Can Blend In
In many cases, braces will simply be your best option for making extensive corrections to your teeth and bite. However, they come with an extremely noticeable drawback: everyone can instantly tell you’re wearing them. Facing the world with a metal-clad smile for the next several months is hardly an appealing prospect, but Dr. Johnson is here to offer adult-friendly options such as clear ceramic braces. Call us to learn more about how clear and ceramic braces from our Palm Harbor, FL orthodontist can get you the results you want without the cosmetic shortcomings of traditional braces.
Why Choose Dr. Alex Johnson Orthodontics
for Clear & Ceramic Braces?
- Aesthetically Pleasing Orthodontic Alternatives
- A Holistic Whole-Body Approach to Better Smiles
- Experienced Orthodontist with 3 Decades of Experience
What Makes Ceramic Braces Different?
As you can probably tell from the name, what differentiates ceramic braces from traditional braces is the type of material they are made of. The brackets will be made of a clear ceramic material that blends in with the teeth, and they will be connected by clear or tooth-colored wires. Thanks to these materials, most people will barely notice your braces. They will, however, notice the beautiful changes in the rest of your smile as your treatment progresses.
How Do Ceramic Braces Compare to Traditional Braces?
Your ceramic braces work the same as traditional braces. The brackets and archwire gradually push the teeth towards their desired position, aided by periodic adjustments. As such, they can make the same kind of corrections and are suitable for a wide variety of orthodontic issues. You will need to be extra diligent about your oral care to ensure that your brackets and wires stay as clean as possible; you should also be careful about consuming dark-colored beverages such as coffee.
Understanding the Cost of Clear/Ceramic Braces
Many patients worry that they can’t afford their clear/ceramic braces and want to know in advance how much they might expect to pay for their treatment. However, the total amount due depends significantly on your individual circumstances, so we can’t provide an estimate until you have consulted Dr. Johnson.
Once our team in Palm Harbor has examined your mouth, we can provide an anticipated cost. Continue reading below to learn more about factors that can impact the pricing, and please don’t hesitate to contact us for additional information.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Clear/Ceramic Braces
You might not pay the same amount as someone else for your clear/ceramic braces because no two smiles are the same. Several considerations can potentially impact your final invoice, such as:
- The severity of your condition. The greater the amount of movement required to shift your teeth to their ideal positions, the longer it takes to complete your service.
- Your treatment timeline. The longer it takes, the more follow-up appointments, adjustments, and supplies you will be required to invest in.
- Your age. Our jawbones harden as we age, meaning it takes longer for teeth to shift. That means older adults are more likely to pay additionally for longer treatment timelines.
- Other appliances/devices. You might also need space maintainers, palatal expanders, and retainers as part of the process, which will need to be paid for.
- Compliance with guidelines. If you ignore special care instructions, you might hurt your teeth, gums, brackets, or wires which adds additional weeks to your treatment timeline, increasing the total owed.
Are There Less Expensive “DIY” Alternatives to Clear/Ceramic Braces?
If you’re concerned that you can’t afford clear/ceramic braces, you might feel tempted to try “do-it-yourself” methods that claim to shift your grin. Some patients have tried using household items, like earring backs, superglue, rubber bands, paper clips, dental floss, and fishing line to create makeshift orthodontics and end up hurting their teeth and gums. These items aren’t intended for oral use and can chip or crack your teeth, cut you gums, or be toxic if ingested.
Furthermore, without professional experience, you might worsen your bite or jaw misalignment rather than improve it. This often requires professional intervention to correct, and you might end up spending more money to fix the damage you caused than if you had invested in professional services initially.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Clear/Ceramic Braces?
Clear/ceramic braces are considered more discreet than the traditional metallic brackets and wires because they match your enamel, but they tend to be more costly because of the materials used. Therefore, it’s only natural to wonder whether your dental insurance policy will help cover the cost.
Many plans do include at least partial coverage for orthodontic treatments, but every provider is different, so it’s worth checking your information for details. For example, your service is more likely to be included if it’s deemed medically necessary to preserve your oral health. There might also be additional restrictions to be aware of, like a waiting period that must pass.
If you need help finding the information or filling out claims or applications, please let us know. Our friendly office staff is familiar with the process and is happy to help you maximize your available benefits.
Options for Making Clear/Ceramic Braces Affordable
We understand that not everyone carries dental insurance, but we believe you deserve a beautifully straight, healthy smile regardless of your finances. If your policy doesn’t include clear/ceramic braces, or you are concerned you can’t afford it, you might benefit from a flexible payment package through CareCredit.
If your application is approved, you can divide your final invoice into more manageable installments that are easier on your wallet. Plus, they come with little to no interest and don’t have a waiting period, annual deductible, or other common restrictions like insurance.