Payment & Insurance
The fee for an individual’s treatment is determined by a variety of factors, including the severity of the problem to be corrected, as well as the anticipated length of treatment. The type of “appliance” (the formal name for braces, aligners, retainers, etc.) may also be a consideration.
At Smilesweet Orthodontics, Dr. Valins offers a variety of payment plans to make sure your orthodontic care is affordable. A custom payment plan is designed around what you can afford monthly. Smilesweet Orthodontics provides in-office financing for as long as 24 months with no interest charged. To help patients spread their payments over a longer period of time, we may be able to connect you with a third-party finance company such as Lending Point. The advantage is that monthly payments over a longer period of time can be smaller than payments over 24 months. Lending Point can offer lower interest rates than some other companies.
Some patients have dental insurance that includes orthodontic benefits that will cover a portion of the fee for treatment. Funds from flexible spending accounts (FSAs) can also be used toward orthodontic treatment.
If you have dental insurance that includes orthodontic benefits, the staff at Smilesweet Orthodontics will assist you in finding out whether coverage is for a percentage of the fee or is capped at a specific dollar amount (“lifetime cap”); who your policy covers (you, or you and your spouse, or you and your spouse and your children, etc., and whether insurance coverage has an age limit); and whether you are required to choose from the insurance company’s providers. At Smilesweet Orthodontics, evaluations/consultations are complimentary. Call and make an appointment with Dr. Valins. Her friendly office staff is happy to help you find out what insurance benefits you are entitled to! We make sure you receive your full orthodontic insurance benefits.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is open exclusively to orthodontists – only orthodontists are admitted for membership. The only doctors who can call themselves “orthodontists” have graduated from dental school and then successfully completed the additional two-to-three years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program.
Dr. Lisa Valins is an AAO orthodontist so you can be assured that you have selected a specialist orthodontist, an expert in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics who possesses the skills and experience to give you your best smile.
No. Insurance is not required to have orthodontic treatment. But, if you do have insurance, you can make an appointment at Smilesweet Orthodontics where our staff can give you all the information you need. Initial consultations are always complimentary. You may find that you may receive the same insurance benefit whether the orthodontist is “in” or “out of network” with your insurance company.
Please check with your tax advisor for a response specific to your circumstances.
In general, orthodontic treatment falls under the IRS description of medical and dental expenses that may be deductible from taxable income if the taxpayer meets the overall limits.
Some people use an employer benefit called an FSA (flexible spending account) to cover some or all of their orthodontic expenses. FSAs are funded by pre-tax dollars and have an annual limit. Check with your employer to see if you can take advantage of this benefit.
Thanks to advances in technology, just about every type of treatment is relatively fast.
These important steps will make your treatment go as quickly as possible:
- Follow your orthodontist’s instructions on brushing, flossing, professional cleanings, and diet.
- Keep your scheduled appointments with your orthodontist.
- Make sure your orthodontist is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). AAO members have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is open exclusively to orthodontists – only orthodontists are admitted for membership. The only doctors who can call themselves “orthodontists” have graduated from dental school and then successfully completed the additional two-to-three years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program.
When you choose an AAO orthodontist for orthodontic treatment, you can be assured that you have selected a specialist orthodontist, an expert in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics who possesses the skills and experience to give you your best smile.
The best treatment is the kind performed by an orthodontist. Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
Choose a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) for orthodontic treatment to be assured that the doctor is an orthodontist – someone who first graduated from dental school and then went on for 2-3 more years of studying orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only these people can call themselves “orthodontists,” and only they can be admitted as members of the AAO.
The American Association of Orthodontists does not provide product reviews or recommendations. Please talk with your orthodontist about the types or brands of treatment that you are interested in so that together you can decide what is appropriate for you.
The type or brand of “appliance” (the formal name for devices like braces, aligners, etc.) used in orthodontic treatment is not as important as the skill in the hands person using the appliance.
Do be sure to seek out an orthodontist for orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists are dentistry’s specialists in moving teeth and aligning jaws to achieve a healthy bite. Orthodontists get their specialist degree by graduating from dental school, and then successfully completing an additional 2-3 years of education in orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only people who have attained this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists are accepted for membership in the AAO. By choosing an AAO member, the public is assured that the doctor truly is an orthodontist.
Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
Whether orthodontic treatment on just your bottom teeth will properly align your lower teeth with your upper teeth is something that can only be answered by coming to Smilesweet Orthodontics for an exam and consultation.
Orthodontic treatment is designed to develop teeth that fit well and, as a result, wear better over an individual’s life. Think of the teeth in the mouth as a “gear” system. Teeth, like gears, must intermesh well to help avoid excessive wear throughout a lifetime of use.
AAO membership is your assurance that the doctor is an orthodontist because the AAO accepts only orthodontists as members. To be an orthodontist means the individual must first graduate from dental school, and then successfully complete an additional 2-3 years of studying orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists.” And only orthodontists are eligible for admission into the American Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Lisa Valins has the training and experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
There is not a single “right way” to perform orthodontic treatment. As long as all of the doctors you have consulted are orthodontists, all are correct.
Membership in the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is your assurance that the doctor is an orthodontist because the AAO accepts only orthodontists as members. To be an orthodontist means the individual must first graduate from dental school, and then successfully complete an additional 2-3 years of studying orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists.” And only orthodontists are eligible for admission into the American Association of Orthodontists. Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
On average, you will see Dr. Valins about every four to ten weeks during treatment. This allows her to make the changes needed to progress through treatment and also allows her to keep an eye on your treatment progress, and monitor the health of your teeth and gums.
The ads you are seeing may be for veneers. They cover teeth and mask the problem, but do not address the structure in the mouth or how the upper and lower teeth meet. Veneers are not permanent. Many require removal of significant amounts of tooth enamel. If plaque collects where the veneer and the remaining natural tooth meet, the area will be susceptible to what is known as “recurrent decay,” more commonly known as cavities.
Orthodontic treatment is far more than simply treating how teeth look. It’s about aligning teeth and jaws so that they meet and function effectively. It just so happens that when teeth and jaws are functioning well, they look good, too.
General Questions
Chronological age is not a factor when deciding whether a patient is a candidate for orthodontic treatment; there is not one ideal age for treatment to begin. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age. Regardless of age, patients can look forward to teeth that not only look better, but work better, too.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children get a check-up with an orthodontist as soon as a problem is evident but no later than age 7. Few patients will need to begin treatment that young, but there are some who will benefit from early intervention. For these patients, treatment is likely to consist of guiding the growth of the jaws so that the permanent teeth are in good positions as they come in.
A check-up with Dr. Valins while some baby teeth are still present, and while the face and jaws are growing, may reveal that immediate treatment is not necessary, but that the child could benefit from treatment in the future. In these cases, the patient visits the orthodontist periodically to monitor growth and development. This “watchful waiting” gives Dr. Valins the opportunity to advise parents when the best time is for their child to begin treatment. Often the orthodontist is able to take advantage of predictable periods of a patient’s growth and intervene so that orthodontic treatment can have the best results possible. There are some things that cannot be accomplished once the face and jaws are no longer growing.
Still, orthodontic treatment can be very successful in adults. The physiological process of moving teeth is the same in adults as it is in children. Adult orthodontic treatment may take a little longer than children’s treatment due to denser bone tissue in adults. A new smile can be especially profound for adults who have spent years hiding their teeth.
Overall, the time required for orthodontic treatment is shorter than it was in the past. Members of the American Association of Orthodontists report that the average length of orthodontic treatment is 22 months.
Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
Healthy teeth can be moved at any age. Members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) regularly treat adult patients. Today, about one patient in five is an adult. Many patients are in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s and 90s.
Depending on your circumstances, Dr. Valins may work with your primary care dentist and other dental specialists, as necessary, to help you achieve optimal dental health. Orthodontists have the extensive training and experience you need and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
It may be possible to begin treatment while pregnant, however, it is important to discuss this question with your OBGYN/physician/healthcare professional and orthodontist before you start any orthodontic treatment, pregnancy may bring on bodily changes that may affect the mouth.
Whether orthodontic treatment on just your bottom teeth will properly align your lower teeth with your upper teeth is something that can only be answered by coming to Smilesweet Orthodontics for an exam and consultation.
Orthodontic treatment is designed to develop teeth that fit well and, as a result, wear better over an individual’s life. Think of the teeth in the mouth as a “gear” system. Teeth, like gears, must intermesh well to help avoid excessive wear throughout a lifetime of use.
AAO membership is your assurance that the doctor is an orthodontist because the AAO accepts only orthodontists as members. To be an orthodontist means the individual must first graduate from dental school, and then successfully complete an additional 2-3 years of studying orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists.” And only orthodontists are eligible for admission into the American Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Lisa Valins has the training and experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
Advances in technology mean you will not be experiencing the “railroad tracks” from years ago. Today’s metal braces are much smaller and sleeker than those of even a generation ago. At Smilesweet Orthodontics there are other options for you to choose from such as ceramic (tooth-colored) braces or Invisalign clear aligners.
Please review your options with Dr. Valins at a virtual or in-person consultation to determine what type of treatment will be best suited to your needs. Orthodontists have the training and experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
Membership in the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is your assurance that the doctor is an orthodontist because the AAO accepts only orthodontists as members. To be an orthodontist means the individual must first graduate from dental school, and then successfully complete an additional 2-3 years of studying orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists.” And only orthodontists are eligible for admission into the American Association of Orthodontists.
It is quite common for patients who have been in treatment for a while to want to finish. The change in appearance is obvious and patients think that they have completed treatment. However, patients cannot see what the orthodontist observes and x-rays show.
As your orthodontist, it is my job to provide you/your child with both a corrected malocclusion and a beautiful smile. This is accomplished by creating proper “occlusion” – meaning the way your top teeth and bottom teeth meet. We work very hard to make sure your teeth are in the best position for function and appearance.
Please be patient while Dr. Valins makes the precise adjustments to your teeth and allows the bone to stabilize around them. All of this is happening to obtain and keep your oral health stable for as long as you need. When the time comes that your braces are removed, please be sure to follow your orthodontist’s instructions for retainer wear. Retainers are the patient’s best way to preserve the results of treatment so that they can have a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime.
You may have successful orthodontic treatment if some teeth are missing, depending on your circumstances and your treatment goals. Orthodontic treatment may be able to close the space of a missing tooth or may be able to create or save sufficient space for a replacement tooth/teeth. Consult with Dr. Valins and discuss what is right for you. Dr. Valins may need to work with your primary care dentist and/or other dental specialists to help you achieve your treatment goals.
It can be possible for you to have successful orthodontic treatment if your teeth have crowns or root canals. Materials are available to adhere orthodontic brackets to crowns just like you would any other tooth. Consult an orthodontist for answers that are specific to you and your circumstances.
Self-treatment is not advisable. Dental and orthodontic treatment should always be conducted under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.
Patients should be aware that “do-it-yourself” treatment substantially increases the risk of irreparable damage. For example, rubber bands can work their way under the gumline and, over time, if forgotten or not removed, can strangle the root of the tooth, and kill the tooth. That could lead to the need for an extraction. If a tooth has rotated, something within the oral cavity caused it. Please consult with Dr. Valins to understand what has caused your tooth to turn, and how it can best be corrected.
Dr. Lisa Valins has been an AAO member for over 25 years. AAO membership is your assurance that she is an orthodontist because the AAO accepts only orthodontists as members. To be an orthodontist means the individual must first graduate from dental school, and then successfully complete an additional 2-3 years of studying orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists.” And only orthodontists are eligible for admission into the American Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Lisa Valins has the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.
No, wearing extra rubber bands will NOT speed up treatment. In fact, you could potentially prolong your treatment by wearing extra rubber bands because the extra force could move your teeth in an undesirable way.
To finish your treatment on time and with the best possible results, follow Dr. Valins’ instructions on wearing rubber bands, and any other item that you place and remove. Also be sure to brush and floss with the schedule she recommends, and see your dentist for professional cleanings and check-ups at least every six months during orthodontic treatment, or more often if recommended.
Bonding is the name used for the process of attaching brackets to teeth using an adhesive.
Whether in braces or using another type of orthodontic appliance, patients should of any drinks with added sugar, including soda (even diet), energy drinks, sweet tea, some juices and sports drinks. Soda contains acid that can weaken tooth enamel. Some juices and sports drinks contain a lot of sugar. Drinking excessive amounts of any liquids with sugar and/or acid could lead to cavities.
It’s best to speak with Dr. Valins about what kinds of soft drinks and juices are ok for you to drink while you have on braces, aligners, retainers or any other kind of orthodontic appliance. Her goal is to keep your teeth healthy so you have great results from your orthodontic treatment.
Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with orthodontic wax. Contact your orthodontist to make him/her aware of the problem and determine whether your child needs to be seen.
For more Emergency Orthodontic Care, please visit here.
There are numerous potential problems from oral piercings, which can include the tongue, cheeks, lips or uvula (the tissue at the back of the throat). Particularly with tongue piercing, you can permanently damage your teeth by wearing away the enamel, or by chipping or cracking teeth. There is risk of abrasion or recession of gum tissue if it is constantly hit by the piercing.
Piercing can interfere with basic functions like chewing, swallowing, talking and the sense of taste. A hole from a piercing can be a path for germs into the body and bloodstream.
Talk to Dr. Valins for more information.
Stripping or Interproximal Reduction (IPR) is the process of removing tiny increments of tooth width to enable correction of crowding in some cases. Speak with Dr. Valins so she can address your concerns.
You are cleared for takeoff – the lightweight materials used in braces will not affect metal detectors.
Call Dr. Valins right away to make arrangements for replacement retainers. Without retainers, there can be unwanted movement of teeth.
“Malocclusion” is the term used in orthodontics to describe teeth that do not fit together properly. From Latin, the term means “bad bite.”
Yes, keeping your teeth and braces (or other appliances) clean requires a little more effort on your part. Dr. Valins will explain how to brush and floss, how often to brush and floss, and give you any special instructions based on the kind of orthodontic treatment you are having. Be sure to follow your orthodontist’s dental hygiene recommendations to get the best results possible. Check with Dr. Valins about dental products and tools that might be helpful.
In general, patients with braces must be careful to avoid hard, sticky, chewy and crunchy foods. They should also avoid chewing on hard objects like pens, pencils and fingernails. And never chew ice. It’s much too hard on your teeth – even without braces.
Also be sure to see your family dentist for a professional cleaning and check-up at least every six months during your orthodontic treatment, or more often, if recommended.
With practice and a period of adjustment, braces typically do not interfere with the playing of wind or brass instruments.
Talk to your orthodontist if you’re having difficulty. They may be able to provide covers for your braces to help you play more naturally.
Orthodontists educated in the U.S. will have the initials “DDS” or “DMD” after their names. These initials mean the individual graduated from dental school. “DDS” stands for “Doctor of Dental Surgery.” “DMD” stands for “Doctor of Dental Medicine.” Some dental schools confer the DDS, while other schools confer the DMD. The American Dental Association considers DDS and DMD to be equivalent degrees.
Orthodontists may or may not have additional initials that announce their post-graduate specialty education. There is not a standard set of initials that mean that the person has graduated from an orthodontic program. Some accredited orthodontic programs confer a certificate when an individual successfully completes the program; certificates carry no additional initials. Other accredited orthodontic programs confer a degree. There are many variations of the advanced degrees conferred. Common ones include MS, MSc, and MSD, which represent master’s degrees.
By selecting a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, you are assured that the doctor is an orthodontist, someone who first graduated from dental school and then successfully completed an additional 2-3 years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have attained this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists are accepted for membership in the AAO. By choosing an AAO member, the public is assured that the doctor truly is an orthodontist.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is open exclusively to orthodontists – only orthodontists are admitted for membership. The only doctors who can call themselves “orthodon-tists” have graduated from dental school and then successfully completed the additional two-to-three years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program.
When you choose an AAO orthodontist for orthodontic treatment, you can be assured that you have selected a specialist orthodontist, an expert in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics who possesses the skills and experience to give you your best smile.
Dr. Lisa Valins has been a member of the AAO for more than 25 years.