Dr. Lathe E. Miller is an Orthodontist who has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitosr have about Orthodontic Treatment.
Q. What is the Best Time for Orthodontic Treatment?
A. The best time for orthodontic treatment varies from person to person. Some patients need an early interceptive phase of treatment; some patients won’t need braces until their early teen years. Then there are those lucky ones who don’t need orthodontic treatment at all. The American Association of Orthodontist (AAO) recommends that children receive an orthodontic evaluation around the age of seven. This is a good age because the orthodontist can start to predict permanent tooth eruption and growth pattern. He or she can then give the parents an idea of what is going to be needed now or in the future. If a significant problem is detected, early interceptive treatment can be started.
Q. What is the duration for an Orthodontic treatment?
A. Typically Phase I treatment will not extend longer than a year. The advantages of early treatment, when done on the appropriate patient, are a more efficient, shorter second phase of treatment. In most cases, a second phase of treatment will be needed when the child gets all of his/her permanent teeth for final alignment and bite correction. Phase II treatment times can range from 1-2 years. Comprehensive treatment is a term used when only a single phase of treatment is needed, usually starting for most kids around the ages of 10-13 years depending on permanent tooth eruption. Treatment times can range from 10 months-2 years with the majority of people finishing in 1 ½ -2 years.
Q. What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?
A. More and more adults are looking for better smiles and healthier mouths. The stigma for adult orthodontics has decreased dramatically in the past few years. I see a lot of parents who get braces with their kids, or once their children are through, they decide it’s time for them.
The most important service we provide is communication with our patients, their families, and their dentist. When everyone is on the same page, expectations are met and misunderstandings are avoided.
In today’s world, safety and infection control cannot be taken seriously enough. All of our sterilization equipment is independently monitored. Instruments are bagged and sterilized. All of our team has been immunized for Hepatitis B and are CPR certified.
Q. Will insurance cover Orthodontic treatment?
A. Insurance is a subject we could talk about for hours, if we could stay awake. Most orthodontic insurances have different plans and are usually separate from the regular dental insurance. Typically orthodontic coverage has a set lifetime amount and can range from $500-$2000, based on your particular plan. The best way to find out what orthodontic coverage your plan has is to call your HR manager or the insurance company directly. The number is usually found on the back of your insurance card. At our office, we will work with just about any insurance company and file the necessary paperwork for you.
Q. What are the advantages of interceptive treatment?
A. Early orthodontic treatment, interceptive treatment, or Phase I treatment are all terms used to describe orthodontic treatment started around the ages of 6-9 years. This treatment is geared to reduce or eliminate a problem that is small at the time, but will worsen if left untreated. These can be either with tooth development and eruption or it can involve skeletal growth issues. Examples of things that might require early treatment would be, severe crowding, cross bites, extreme flaring of the upper teeth (buck teeth), severe overbites or impacted permanent teeth.
Q. How to contact Dr. Miller if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
847 Parchment Dr. SE,
Suite 105
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: 616-942-9320
Email: drmiller@lathemillerortho.com
Website: www.lathemillerortho.com
