Here at Pioneer Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer initial consultation services at no charge. For young children, an initial consultation will include an assessment of overall oral health and development. Dr. Annette Cserna will look for anything that might suggest that treatment would be necessary, whether immediately or down the line. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child has an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. But why is early treatment so important? In this article, we will explain the importance of early treatment and how it can help your child’s smile shine!

What is interceptive orthodontics?

An orthodontic evaluation for children between the ages of 6-9 can help detect problems early on and may prompt what we call interceptive orthodontics to correct them. 

Interceptive orthodontics, sometimes referred to as Phase I treatment, allows an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Cserna to detect any irregularities in jaw growth or tooth development. We can then begin orthodontic treatment to guide the proper development and eruption of your child’s permanent teeth, as well as favorably enhance the growth of their jaw, especially if these issues are detected at a younger age when they are more easily addressable. This type of early intervention can make it easier to prevent or treat certain common issues by promoting an optimal relationship between the teeth and jaws before an unfavorable situation progresses too far. This way, your child will grow up with a straighter, more symmetrical, and healthier smile! 

In what cases is interceptive orthodontics appropriate for my child?

There are many compelling reasons to consider interceptive orthodontics. Dr. Cserna will thoroughly inspect your child’s teeth and jaws during their initial orthodontic exam. Treatment may be recommended if it appears that:

• the child will be prone to a particular problem that we want to keep from developing
• the child already has a developing problem that we now want to intercept
• the child’s jawbones may need a bit of guidance as they grow 

Many orthodontic issues are genetic, but some can be acquired. Inherited problems typically consist of crowded teeth or teeth with too much space between them, extra or missing teeth, and other irregularities of the jaws, teeth, and face. Acquired malocclusions can be caused by accidental trauma, extended thumb sucking or pacifier use, dental disease, premature tooth loss, or myriad other causes. 

Whether a child’s issues are inherited or acquired, they can affect oral alignment and facial development. Interceptive orthodontics can treat all of the above by catching and reversing complications before they get too serious.

What will my child’s interceptive orthodontics look like? 

Early orthodontic exams don’t necessarily lead to treatment. Immediate treatment is typically only recommended for a small fraction of the young patients we evaluate who may face immediate issues or serious complications down the line. Even when treatment is suggested, that doesn’t always mean putting braces on your child right away! Many Phase I treatments don’t involve brackets, wires, and bands at all! Examples of this may include: 

• placing teeth spacers to help make space for permanent teeth to emerge if a primary tooth is lost early due to injury or decay
• using expanders to help widen the upper jaw and treat extremely crowded teeth
• removing one or more primary teeth to help guide the proper placement of permanent teeth

Here at Pioneer Orthodontics, we believe that following the normal growth and development patterns of childhood gives us the best chance to tackle orthodontic issues at the most optimal time in our patients’ lives. Many problems can be treated relatively easily in a child whose mouth is still developing but would require more invasive treatment as they get older and their jawbones stop growing. 

Interceptive orthodontics can often achieve lasting results for many of these issues and may lessen the impact of others. Most patients who receive Phase I treatment will later require a second phase of treatment with braces or aligners to complete the alignment process.  

Get your child’s smile off to a great start with Pioneer Orthodontics

When you schedule your child for an early orthodontic evaluation at our offices in Lincoln and York, you’re giving them the best chance at a healthy smile that looks good and feels great! Even if we don’t detect any urgent issues, there are several benefits to visiting an orthodontist regularly throughout childhood. These check-ups allow us to:

• monitor the progress of emerging teeth
• monitor the progress of facial and jaw development
• reduce the risk of jaw surgery in the future
• guide incoming teeth into the ideal position
• detect hidden dental problems
• reduce the risk of impacted teeth
• reduce the risk of permanent tooth extractions

We love early orthodontic evaluations because they allow us to proactively approach your child’s orthodontic care! This better allows us to give young patients the care and treatment they need when it will be most effective and beneficial to them. 

Your child’s smile is as unique as they are and we know that what works well for one patient may not be a good fit for another. That’s why our orthodontists use a personalized treatment plan for every patient, built around their specific needs and goals. 

Do you have a young child who may benefit from interceptive orthodontics? Contact our team today to schedule an orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Cserna. Your child’s smile deserves nothing but the best!

Orthodontic treatment is a worthwhile investment that will improve your oral health and help you find a beautiful smile, but it takes work to make sure that you don’t lose your hard-earned progress. Here at Pioneer Orthodontics, it’s always exciting when a patient’s braces come off or they use their last aligner, but that’s just a step in the lifetime journey of maintaining a healthy smile! Every orthodontic journey concludes with a retainer, an appliance that’s essential for ensuring that you keep your results for a lifetime of smiles. Many patients don’t understand how important retainers are for keeping their new smile straight once active treatment is complete, so keep reading below to learn everything you need to know about retainers! 

What is a retainer, anyway? How does it work?

A retainer is an orthodontic appliance, just like braces and aligners. Wearing a retainer regularly helps to keep your newly straightened teeth in place by preventing a phenomenon known as “relapse.” This describes the natural tendency of the teeth to drift back to their original, unadjusted positions over time, even after orthodontic treatment is complete. 

Although relapse occurs most often in the late teens and early twenties, it can happen at any time. That’s because your teeth tend to “remember” where they were originally positioned in your mouth, and if there’s no pressure on them, they’ll begin shifting back towards those spaces. After you’re done with your braces or aligners, Dr. Annette Cserna will use an impression of your teeth to create a retainer that’s custom-designed to fit your mouth. This retainer will provide the pressure that’s necessary to keep your teeth in their new positions instead of moving back to the old ones! 

It’s very important to wear your retainer exactly as directed. Failure to do so can undo all your hard-earned progress and, over time, leave your smile right back where it began. This can happen faster than you may think, so be sure to stick to the guidelines you’re given along with your retainer. 

What types of retainers are available?

There are fixed and removable retainers available, and Dr. Cserna will be able to determine which style is best for you based on your needs, your preference, and the level of compliance she expects from you. 

Fixed retainers

A fixed retainer consists of a thin wire that’s been positioned across the interior surface of the lower or upper front teeth, then bonded into place with glue. This wire stretches across several teeth, so good dental hygiene may require a bit more effort, particularly when it comes to flossing. Because the bonded wire does such an incredible job at keeping newly straightened teeth in place, this retainer tends to have the best outcome overall! And it comes with a bonus, too—you’ll never forget to wear it or worry about losing it since it stays in your mouth. 

Removable retainers

There are a couple of different options when it comes to removable retainers. The Hawley retainer is made of a wire and acrylic material, and the Essix retainer is composed of a clear plastic material similar to the kind used with Invisalign aligners. Both styles are custom-made to fit your mouth following the first phase of orthodontic treatment. 

Hawley retainers

Hawley retainers have been around for a long time, and are probably one of the most recognizable appliances we have. They’re kept in place by a wire that wraps around the teeth then combines with an acrylic arch. This arch rests against the roof of the mouth. The stainless steel wires can continue to be adjusted to achieve minor movement of the front teeth if needed. Although many orthodontists are currently moving away from this more traditional retainer, it can still be very useful for most patients. 

Essix retainers

Essix retainers have become very popular recently with both orthodontists and patients. They’re made from a transparent plastic material and look similar to the trays that are used with the Invisalign system. An Essix retainer is molded to the unique shape of your mouth and much less noticeable than the more traditional wire retainers. It should last as long as you need it as long as you take good care of it! 

It’s really easy to keep your teeth and gums clean with either of these removable options since they make dental hygiene simple. However, you will be responsible for wearing your removable retainer exactly as directed by Dr. Cserna. To avoid misplacing or damaging it, be careful when handling your retainer and be mindful of where it is at all times.

Keep your smile in place with a retainer from Pioneer Orthodontics

Most orthodontic experts now agree that most patients will need to wear some type of retainer indefinitely post-treatment, although in most cases only at night or part-time. This is the best way to achieve a beautifully straight smile that will last a lifetime! Don’t let that recommendation scare you away—before you know it, your retainers will be just another part of your daily routine.  

At Pioneer Orthodontics, our expert team is committed to finding exactly the right orthodontic treatment for your special smile. That includes finding the right type of retainer for your needs! Our goal is to provide you with personalized care and world-class service from your first visit to your last—and beyond. Wherever you are in the treatment process, we’ve got you covered! 

Do you have questions or concerns about your treatment plan or using a retainer? We’d love to hear from you, so get in touch today and let us know what you need. We’ll be happy to help you however we can! 

Thanks in part to an increasing range of affordable treatment options, more adults than ever have been taking action to improve their oral health with orthodontics. Although the largest percentage of orthodontic patients are teenagers, we’re seeing children and adults close that gap every day! Here at Pioneer Orthodontics, we’re proud to create beautiful smiles for patients of all ages in Lincoln, York, and the surrounding communities. If you’re feeling unhappy with how your teeth look, feel, or function, we’ve got good news—you’re never too old to achieve a healthier, more confident smile! To learn more about the customized orthodontic care available to adults, keep reading below.

Why are more adults than ever choosing orthodontics?

Most of our adolescent patients are undergoing orthodontic treatment because their parents have chosen it for them after consulting with Dr. Cserna. Younger patients are certainly able to understand the importance of treatment and tend to be thrilled with the final results! However, the truth is that adults will often have a firmer grasp on the benefits of a healthier smile. 

Adults also tend to be more aware of the ways that good oral health can positively impact our total body health. This leads many of them to seek out dental or orthodontic treatment that will help them keep their teeth and gums in the best possible shape! As an adult patient, you’ll be able to truly grasp what orthodontic treatment is: an investment of your time and finances that will pay off with a beautiful smile, improved health, and increased self-confidence.

Improving your oral health with orthodontics

Of course, orthodontic treatment is incredibly effective at straightening teeth, but the benefits don’t stop there! Misaligned or uneven teeth can make it difficult to brush and floss effectively, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Misalignment can also cause excess wear on the teeth and enamel, which may lead to chronic headaches, jaw aches, and damage to the teeth themselves. 

Orthodontic treatment will help reduce or eliminate these symptoms. Not only that, but braces and aligners can protect you from serious oral health problems in the future! This can mean significant financial savings, which is something that tends to be appreciated by adult patients who are on a budget.

Treatment that fits your budget

There has never been a better time to be an orthodontic patient than now! Achieving a confident smile is more affordable than ever, thanks to a variety of innovative treatment options. Pioneer Orthodontics offers flexible payment options to suit every budget, including interest-free installment plans. Multiple family discounts may also apply. 

For your convenience, we accept most credit and debit cards. We can even set monthly auto payments up from your bank! If you have a Flexible or Health Savings Account or insurance coverage, we’ll be sure to take this into account as well. We’ll even help you file any claims if you intend on using insurance to cover your treatment. And don’t worry— we’ll ensure you understand every fee included in your treatment plan before we move forward with fitting you for braces or aligners. 

Treatment options for every lifestyle

Not so long ago, there weren’t many choices for anyone looking to improve their smile. Today we have multiple ways to align the teeth and jaws! Our practice is proud to offer the following treatment options for patients of all ages.

Invisalign

Neither brackets nor wires are required to move the teeth with this innovative system! Instead, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners to help patients achieve a healthier smile. These customized aligners are completely removable and remarkably comfortable, offering patients an extra measure of freedom and flexibility they love. 

Patient compliance is an essential part of treatment with Invisalign—the aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours per day throughout the entire orthodontic process. They’re also designed to be replaced with the next aligner in the series every 1-2 weeks to keep up with the movement of the teeth. When worn as instructed, Invisalign can be just as efficient as braces at treating many of the most common orthodontic issues. 

Metal braces

Traditional metal braces are the most frequently used orthodontic appliance for a reason—they have a proven track record of successfully correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues. Though they’ve been around for a long time now, braces have undergone many major makeovers in recent years. They’re far more comfortable, effective, and aesthetically pleasing than previous designs were! Metal braces are one of our most cost-efficient options and can be particularly useful in addressing cases that are complex or severe. 

Clear braces

Sometimes called ceramic braces, these function in the same way metal braces do but come with the added benefit of clear, low-profile brackets. When paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored bands, they’re an incredibly subtle way to straighten teeth! Because they’re far less visible than their metal counterparts, clear braces are popular with teens and adults who are more image-conscious. Ceramic brackets tend to be slightly larger and a bit more brittle than the metal ones, so we tend to use them on the upper front teeth more often than the lower teeth. 

Get the smile you deserve with Pioneer Orthodontics

If you’ve been waiting a lifetime to take the first step towards a healthier smile, the last thing you want is cookie-cutter treatment. Every treatment option will have its own list of pros and cons, and not every treatment will be suitable for every patient. Our team creates individualized treatment plans for each patient, building a plan that’s based on your specific needs, lifestyle, and goals. Working with an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Cserna guarantees you’ll receive only the best and most fitting treatment for your unique smile!  

Our goal is to give you a rewarding and stress-free experience, from your first visit to your last. We want you to feel right at home from the moment you walk through our door and work hard to provide patients with a warm and welcoming environment. 

Are you ready to get started on the confident smile you deserve? Get in touch today to schedule a FREE consultation at our offices in Lincoln or York!

Orthodontic treatment can provide you with a beautiful smile and amazing benefits that last a lifetime, but it does require an investment on your part. Here at Pioneer Orthodontics, one of the most common questions we hear is “How much do braces cost?” Since we create personalized treatment plans for each patient we see, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this. When it comes to the cost of your treatment, there are many factors to consider, including: 

• the type of orthodontic appliance
• if the braces are for a child or an adult
• the orthodontic issues that are being treated
• the estimated treatment time
• whether or not the patient has insurance that will cover orthodontics
• the orthodontist and practice providing treatment

Each of these has a part to play in the total cost of treatment. To help explain this, let’s take the type of appliance used. In general, traditional metal braces will be the least expensive option, while clear braces or Invisalign aligners may cost slightly more. The age of the patient matters, too. Orthodontic treatment for children and teens is often slightly less expensive than treatment for adults, although this does depend on each case. 

Another example is patients who require complex treatment vs. those who present with simpler orthodontic issues. Serious cases may require longer treatment times, which leads to more work for the orthodontist and more follow-up appointments in the office. Pricing structure should also be considered. The total cost of treatment will depend upon whether or not a patient’s dental insurance will cover a portion of orthodontic treatment. 

As you can see, there’s quite a bit that goes into determining the overall cost for braces! To help you understand more about what you can expect from the orthodontic process, let’s take a closer look below at what treatment typically includes, how much the average cost tends to be, and what payment options are available here at Pioneer Orthodontics. Keep reading below to learn more!

What does the total cost of treatment include?

When you schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Annette Cserna and our Pioneer Orthodontics team, we’ll sit down with you and go over the investment needed for your new smile. You don’t have to worry about any hidden costs or unwelcome surprises here! You’ll always know exactly what to expect before the active phase of treatment ever begins. 

Our customized treatment plans contain everything you’ll need for beautiful results that last, including:

• all appointments, including emergency visits
• braces or aligners
• retainers
• post-treatment follow-up visits
• an oral hygiene starter pack

The fees we charge are a reflection of the experience and skill our team possesses, as well as the high-quality products we use and the world-class service we provide. We know that braces are a significant investment for most families and we’re dedicated to providing affordable treatment options for every budget in Lincoln and York.

What is the average cost for braces?

We discussed above the various factors that need to be considered before determining the exact cost of treatment. For this reason, there’s no “one size fits all” answer for how much orthodontic treatment will cost. We are still able to get a general idea from the average totals, however. Orthodontic treatment for a child can run anywhere from $4-8K, while adult braces or aligners will usually be around $6-9K.

Does dental insurance cover orthodontic treatment?

There are several dental insurance plans out there that will cover orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, the coverage rules and policies are often confusing and hard to understand! Our team has years of experience working with insurance companies to help our patients receive the maximum coverage and we’ll be happy to work with you to do the same. 

Each patient is presented with a plan that will best address their specific needs and goals. Once your exam is complete and you’ve gone over your treatment plan with Dr. Cserna, we’ll take a look at your insurance to see what your insurance provider will and won’t cover in the way of orthodontic treatment. Co-payments or out of pocket expenses are estimated before treatment begins. 

If insurance doesn’t cover treatment, can the cost be deducted?

Costs associated with orthodontic treatment can sometimes be tax-deductible. Many employers provide Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) that allow the use of pre-tax money to pay for braces. You should keep track of all expenses associated with braces treatment if you’re thinking of trying to deduct the costs, including co-pays and check-up visits.

A smile from Pioneer Orthodontics is worth the investment

Braces are about more than giving you a great smile! Your oral health has an important role to play in your overall health, too. Misaligned teeth can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and you may experience pain and soreness in the head, neck, and shoulders, too.

At the end of the day, you only get one smile and it’s too important to shop around for based on price alone! We all want a good deal, but an orthodontist should be chosen based on their skill, experience, and how comfortable you feel with their office. Dr. Cserna and our entire Pioneer Orthodontics team will treat you like family the moment you walk in the door. Braces patients have regular follow-up visits throughout the treatment process, so you’ll want to be sure you pick a practice that’s positive, warm, and welcoming.

Here at Pioneer Orthodontics, we work hard to provide you with a rewarding and stress-free orthodontic experience from start to finish! We believe everyone should have access to the high-quality orthodontic care they need in Lincoln, York, and the surrounding areas. If you’d like to learn more about how we create beautiful smiles that fit every budget, get in touch with our office today to schedule a free consultation, virtually or in-office.