I have a some Questions on Braces?!
Question: Approx. How much are they? I have Medicaid & Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Do they hurt?
What is the process of getting them?
Why do you have to go like a month before getting braces just to get Rubber Bands put on?
What should i expect?
How often would i have to go back to the Orthodontist?
Thanks!
Answers: Approx. How much are they? I have Medicaid & Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Do they hurt?
What is the process of getting them?
Why do you have to go like a month before getting braces just to get Rubber Bands put on?
What should i expect?
How often would i have to go back to the Orthodontist?
Thanks!
I just got braces on (as an adult) two months ago, so I can share my recent experience with you! Pardon if its a bit long.
The cost depends on how much work needs to be done. If all your teeth need adjustment, it is going to be more expensive (takes more time and equipment) than one or two teeth seeming wonky. Your insurance provider will be able to tell you what portion they pay (usually as a percentage) - but make sure to get your orthodontist to do a mock-up on the cost. For example with me, my insurance plan only covers half of the cost of braces, but it would also cover an additional $300 in "records expenses." So, my expected portion was significantly lower.
The first appointment is usually a consultation. The orthodontist will suggest a treatment plan, and assuming you agree, ask you to set a return appointment to apply the braces. You're asked NOT to brush your teeth - something in toothpaste makes the adhesive for the brackets less effective. If you have stinky breath, (my poor ortho had to deal with my burger breath) they'll usually have a mouthwash station available. :)
The rubber bands are a bit annoying. They're essentially wedged between the teeth to separate enough of a gap to put a metal cap around that molar. This gives the ortho somewhere to anchor the wire. It isn't too bad, but the first few days of it, you'll feel like you've got something stuck in a back tooth. There's a reason its a month before, but we'll get to that later.
Your first day, you should expect to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen before your appointment. They'll clean your teeth, take some pictures, and apply a glue and the brackets/wire. Your teeth may be sore under pressure or dully aching, but if you keep up with the pain meds, you ought to be fine. Plan also on having something called orthodontic wax - it will keep the brackets from annoying the skin inside your lips.
IF YOUR ORTHODONTIST LETS YOU COME BACK IN FEWER THAN FOUR WEEKS, RUN. There is a condition where your teeth will go into shock from being moved too much too often. Four weeks is the minimum amount that you can avoid permanent damage to the underlying structures (esp. nerves) around the teeth. (Hence, you have to come in a month before your brackets are applied.)
Hope this long essay helps!
cost they may be up to 3000 i think i dont know exactly. uh they hurt at the beginning because they pull on your teeth and your muscles will hurt. first you have to get the spacers to make space to put the ring around molars. then they will glue the little square on your teeth(before this they will clean your teeth with baking soda usually). then once the glue has dried they will place a wire through the squares. you will feel like you have like a set of teeth on top of the ones you already have for like a week at the most. for the pain i used to take 1000mg of tylenol because it hurt alot for me. i have to go back to my orthodontist every 8 weeks. you will probably wear rubber bands for a while.
you usually talk about a payment-plan with the orthadontist. its around $5,500 in the course of 2 years (usually)
they hurt a little bit. its not unbearable and it's worth it. (I still have mine on) xD
its really easy to get them. painless and simple. they hurt afterwords but that just means there doing their job =D
you have to go in a month before to get x-rays of your teeth and they like check out and make a plan for you. they put spacers in your mollers to make room for the bands.
theres not much to expect thats not already like expected lol.
usually its like every month to go in and get adjustments done (tightening fixes and other maitnance)
that's about it. I've actually become quite attached to them =D
-my braces were around $4000, insurance helping
-yes they do hurt, only when they get tightened though, and that's only for maybe 1 or 2 days
-the process: make a consolation visit with your orthodontist, they will make a molding of your teeth with a nasty substance that resembles playdoh, then they take pictures of your teeth, then a few weeks later you come in, they put a plastic thing in your mouth to hold it open, then they glue the brackets on and put on the wire.
-i didn't have to get bands put in, but some people did, and i believe it does take about a month. the reason for the bands is so they can make space on your molars to put a cap on them to hold the wire in place.
-they are very painful the first few days after having them put on. stick to soft foods. you'll go back every 2-3 weeks for them to change the wire for you. the size of the wire determines how straight your teeth will have to be. you may have to wear rubberbands that attach to your brackets. most people do. if they ask you to wear them, please do. if you don't, you get no effects on your teeth, and it will be painful if you stop and start. also, if you don't wear them, they'll keep adding them on each time.
hope this helps!
Average cost is 5000 for upper and lower braces
I'm not sure how much medicaid pays out..... BCBS usually pays 1,000 -1,500 depending on what kind of plan you have.
They hurt a few hours after you get them on, not a constant throbbing pain, but a soreness when you eat, usually goes away in a few days, nothing Advil can't handle, they are sore again when you get them adjusted, usually every 6-10 weeks. Take some Advil before you go, and chew some sugarless gum right after you get them on and after each adjustment. This relaxes the little ligaments the teeth sit in and makes it less sore later. Kind of like stretching before exercising.
You'll go for an exam, then records (molds of your teeth, photos of your bite and X-rays) so the orthodontist can study these and come up with your treatment plan.
Then you finalize all the financials and then plan to get them on.
It's usually a couple visits before you start wearing rubber bands. They like to get some alignment first. Not everyone needs to wear rubber bands. If you have an overbite you will definitely need to.
Braces are not NEARLY as bad as people make them out to be. Good Luck!
Ok I got my braces in June and I am getting them off before summer!!! Ok they don't "hurt" but they are extremely sore when you get them adjusted, but it lasts for about 4 days after they are adjusted, then they are fine. They be really sore for about a week after you get them on. You might have to have other appliances as well, such as a palet expander, herps, etc. I had to have a palet expander and herps for a year before I could get the braces, it just depends. They want your teeth to straighten a little before they put the strain of rubber bands on them. You would have to go to the ortho every 4 - 6 weeks for adjustments. I am not sure how much they are, so I can't really help you there. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me. Hope I helped :)