Best Braces Dentist in Waukesha County

What Can Braces Fix?

Braces are administered by an orthodontist, a doctor who is part of a specialized field within dentistry that focuses on correcting bites and straightening teeth. 

Orthodontic work varies widely for each patient. Class II bites, underbites, spacing issues, crowding, overbites, open bites, and impacted teeth can all be treated with braces. 

When Should My Child Get Braces?

Kids can get braces at just about any age. There are advantages to getting braces younger, as children are usually less insecure about their appearance than teenagers. Although, getting braces too soon might allow time for the teeth to move back to their original position if the child doesn't stick to prescribed aftercare, such as wearing a retainer. Kids also might not follow instructions, such as wearing rubber bands or avoiding certain foods, which can cause orthodontic treatment to last longer. When your child should get braces depends on the individual kid and their teeth. Our orthodontists in Waukesha County can make a recommendation following a consultation.

How Long Will I Need Braces?

The average person will need to wear braces for 12 months. Full orthodontic treatment includes aftercare following the removal of braces, which can last an additional 12 months or longer. For more complicated cases, braces might be worn up to 3 years. 

Are Braces Painful?

Most patients experience mild discomfort for a few days after braces are first put on. Having braces in your mouth takes some getting used to, and the regular adjustments can also cause some discomfort, but the pain is very mild, and numbing gels can often help after an adjustment. It's doubtful that anyone who ever had braces has said, "That was so painful it wasn't worth it!" People are happy to have their mouths free of metal after the treatment period, and they also love their new smiles!

Real Cost of Braces in Waukesha County

The cost of braces without insurance ranges greatly, from $3,000 - $10,000 on average. The specific cost depends on what type of braces you choose, as well as the specific needs of your orthodontic treatment. The experience and knowledge of your orthodontist can be a cost factor. A specialist in the field of orthodontics is going to cost more than treatment from a general dentist.

• Metal braces cost between $4,000 and $7,000.

• Ceramic braces cost $4,000 - $8,000.

• Lingual braces cost between $8,000 and $12,000.

• Invisalign costs $4,000 - $8,000.

Are Braces Covered by Insurance?

Braces for teeth are an investment at any age – at Dousman Family Dentistry we understand that navigating dental insurance can be confusing. We offer braces covered by insurance, and we aim to provide affordable braces for adults without insurance through our flexible payment plans. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to contact your provider to help you better understand your coverage benefits to help with the cost of braces.

How to Care for Braces

• Brush – food particles that become easily trapped between braces
• Rinse – loosened foods stuck in and around your braces
• Floss – between braces and under wires with waxed floss

Caring for your braces is vital to ensure they work. Broken braces can hurt your mouth and be expensive to repair, and major breaks will slow down the straightening process. You might have to wear your braces longer if you don’t take care of them. A very bad break may require emergency dental treatment to repair. Make sure you brush and floss daily and continue to receive annual teeth cleanings. 

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Eating the wrong foods with braces can lead to damage and costly repairs. Our experienced dentists and orthodontists recommend what not to eat with braces: 

• Sticky and chewy foods: dried fruits, caramel, taffy, corn on the cob, and chewing gum
• Hard foods: nuts, ice, popcorn, beef jerky, ray apples, and carrots

These types of foods can break the wires and loosen brackets, damaging your braces. Consider cutting up some harder foods such as fruit, meat, and vegetables to avoid more damage. Avoiding these few foods for the duration of your braces is a small price to pay for a beautiful smile.

Meet your dentists Dr. Schaeffer, Dr. Goral & Dr. Whalen

Contact Dousman Dentistry to schedule a dental appointment and see if braces are right for you.