(Issued Winter 2016-17) – For adults and children, December may be the best month to start treatment if braces are in your future.
Dr. Andrew Chase of ARCH Orthodontics notes several reasons:
- Flexible Spending Accounts — Year-end is a good time to use your Health FSA dollars. Some flex plans allow roll over while others do not, so in a sense any funds put aside this year and unused will be lost. It’s often best to get in and save that money before December 31.
- Since the initial consultation with the Orthodontist, getting x-rays and meeting about the treatment plan can take some time, it may be most convenient to have that appointment with an Orthodontist and Treatment Coordinator during winter break.
- Sometimes the New Year brings price increases.
Dr. Chase says that age 7 is the ideal time for children to have their initial check-up with an Orthodontist: “For some children an early check-up will lead to significant treatment benefits by starting at the best time. For others, the great benefit is the parents’ peace of mind.”
He adds, “We don’t typically advocate comprehensive Orthodontic treatment at age 7, but in some cases, early interceptive treatment may be appropriate.” Where needed, comprehensive Orthodontic work for girls usually doesn’t begin until ages 10-12 and for boys, ages 11-13. The Orthodontist will explain the most appropriate treatment plan for you (adults) or your child and share this information with the general/pediatric dentist ensuring awareness and cohesive care. For young patients, decisions about a treatment plan involve the parents and Orthodontist.
“While some general dentists do recognize early issues and make appropriate referrals to the Orthodontist,” Dr. Chase notes, “many dentists may not focus on growth and development, and as such may delay a referral when treatment should actually be considered and rendered prior to eruption of all permanent teeth. Others prefer to wait for the patient to ask them about whether they would benefit from treatment, making them even less proactive about necessary care. Orthodontists are specialists in facial growth and dento-facial orthopedics. As such, it would be prudent to have an evaluation, even if not suggested by a general and/or pediatric dentist.”
In the past decade, people of all ages are opting for Orthodontic work. Dr. Chase says, “While numbers of people at the extremes are rare, as Specialists, our patents range from 4 to 84.” 30% of ARCH patients are over age 21.
ARCH, the Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts and its Scholarship Foundation, offers free consultations (a $500 value) and no-interest financing. Courtesy discounts are available to members of the military and their families, as well as to veterans. ARCH has offices in Stoughton, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Hyannis, Hyde Park, Orleans, Randolph and Westwood.
To schedule a free consultation: (781) 209-6776. No-interest financing is available.
– By Stanley Hurwitz / (508) 269-0570 / stanhurwitz@gmail.com
