What dental insurance does your office accept? Our office accepts most dental insurance. We will also assist you to bill your dental insurance.
Are you in-network with my insurance company? We are not in-network with dental insurance plans. Being “out-of-network”, however, does not mean no insurance is accepted. On the contrary, our office works with most dental insurance plans and will bill for orthodontic treatment on your behalf.
What does it mean to be out-of-network? Being out-of-network means that we are not in a contractual agreement with insurance companies. We still ACCEPT insurance, but we are not obligated to follow the in-network fees. PPO dental insurance plans do allow you to choose both in-network and out-of-network providers. This means that if you choose an out-of-network orthodontist who accepts your insurance plan, you can still get coverage and benefits. The main benefit for you when choosing an out-of-network office is that you are free to choose the most skilled orthodontist and the best quality treatment at an office that you feel most comfortable with! When you value your oral health, you don’t want to choose a provider from a very limited list of in-network offices. Typically, you will choose an orthodontic office after talking to your dentist, friends, or family, or by doing online research. Online reviews and word-of-mouth will surely help you find a reliable office.
What is a ballpark cost of treatment? Orthodontic treatment costs vary greatly depending on the treatment needed. It is recommended that you come in for a complimentary consultation so that we can provide an accurate cost of treatment. As a “ballpark”, Comprehensive orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners ranges from $5,000-7,500. Limited orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners ranges from $2,500-$5,000. Phase I orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners ranges from $1,000-$5,000.
Do I need to see my dentist for teeth cleaning and check-ups while I’m in orthodontic treatment? Please plan to continue to see your primary dentist as recommended for your routine teeth cleanings and exams. Our office specializes in all orthodontic treatment therapies and appliances. We also provide TMJ treatment with nightguards and splints, sleep apnea devices, sports guards, and custom whitening trays. We DO NOT provide cleanings, extractions, or dental restorations such as fillings and crowns.
Can I use my HSA/FSA/Health Equity accounts to pay for treatment? Yes
Can I use CareCredit? Yes
When is your office open? Our Medford office is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday. Our Ashland office is open on Wednesdays from 8am to 5pm. We are not open on Fridays or the weekends, however, we have an “on-call” team member available to handle emergencies on weeknights, weekends, and holidays.
I live in Ashland or Northern CA. Can I schedule all my appointments at your Ashland office? We do request that the initial exam and the 1-2 appointments that require an x-ray be at the Medford office. All other appointments can be scheduled for the Ashland office.
TREATMENT FAQ’s
What should I expect on my appointment to get my braces or clear aligners? Please see the section on this website on “What to expect on the day I start my braces treatment” and “What to expect on the day I start my clear aligner treatment.”
What should I expect after I start my braces or clear aligner treatment? Please see the sections on this website on how to care for and what to anticipate right after braces and clear aligner treatments have started.
When can I eat after my orthodontic appointments? You can eat immediately after your orthodontic appointments. Please see our Recommended Food and Habit List for what to avoid eating and doing to better care for your orthodontic appliances.
Does it hurt to get braces or clear aligners? The process of bonding braces and attachments for clear aligners may be a bit uncomfortable at times but is NOT painful. After a few hours, your teeth start to move and may feel tender or achy, especially when chewing. We recommend that you take an OTC pain medication, as needed, every 6 hours for the first few days after your initial “start” appointment. This initial achiness will dissipate over time.
What should I do if something happens to my braces or clear aligners while I’m out of town? Please see the section on this website for “What to do in case of an emergency.” If you still have questions or need to schedule an immediate emergency appointment, call 541-773-6600 and follow the prompts to reach our on-call team member. Our on-call team members are available until 8pm on weeknights and weekends/holidays from 8am to 8pm.
What should I do if something is poky or making my mouth uncomfortable? If you have a pokey wire or an area that is rubbing the cheeks or tongue, use the orthodontic wax provided to you and read the section on this website for “What to do in an orthodontic emergency.” For painful situations that require immediate attention, call our office at 541-773-6600 during office hours or follow the prompts to reach an after-hours on-call team member.
What should I do if an orthodontic bracket or appliance feels loose or comes out of my mouth? If an orthodontic appliance slides around, feels loose/broken, or comes out of your mouth, please call our office during office hours to schedule a “repair” appointment. Please keep all loose items in a safe place and bring them with you at your next appointment. Please always call ahead to let us know if you suspect any loose appliances in your mouth-even if it’s the same day as your scheduled appointment. Please keep in mind that broken and loose appliances may extend your orthodontic treatment time.
When do I need a sport guard or mouth guard? A sport guard aka mouth guard is recommended for any activity that may potentially cause injury to your mouth and teeth. It is especially important to wear a mouth guard when engaging in contact sports. Please ask our team members for a complimentary mouth guard when you first start your orthodontic treatment. Sport guards are also available at sports stores and online. Do NOT use a “boil and bite” type of sport guard as they may loosen your orthodontic appliances when you remove them!
Does a Waterpik replace flossing? Although a Waterpik is essential to help flush food debris & bacteria from your teeth prior to brushing, it does not completely replace flossing. Flossing is still recommended to cleanse the areas where teeth touch/contact one another, to avoid cavities at these points of contact.
How often should I brush, floss, or Waterpik with braces or aligner treatment? It is recommended to brush your teeth 2-3 times daily for 4 minutes each time. Waterpik and floss at least once daily.
How often will I need an appointment? Appointments for braces are usually scheduled every 6 to 10 weeks. Appointments are spaced further apart at the beginning of treatment to allow time for the teeth to align. Appointments are scheduled closer near the end of treatment to detail and finish the treatment. Clear aligner patients are usually scheduled every 10-12 weeks.
Does orthodontic treatment cause my teeth to get loose? Orthodontic pressure can make some teeth feel looser during treatment, especially the lower front teeth or teeth that have had prior bone loss. This is because orthodontic forces stimulate the bone around the teeth to remodel or “soften” to allow teeth to move. Teeth will generally “firm up” after orthodontic treatment.
Does orthodontic treatment affect my gums? If you have a thin gum biotype and bone loss around a tooth or teeth, there is a possibility for gum recession during or after orthodontic treatment. Gum recession is common and affects most adults, with or without orthodontic treatment. Please discuss your concerns with your dentist and orthodontist.
Do I really need my wisdom teeth removed? Due to the way that the human jaws have evolved, most people do not have room for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth do not necessarily need to be removed before orthodontic treatment. Often, they can be removed during or after orthodontic treatment. Please check with your dentist and orthodontist.
Does age matter when it comes to orthodontic treatment? Orthodontic treatment is an option for people of all ages. Please schedule a complimentary consultation to determine if orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners is best for you. There are certain treatments that work best in young growing children (such as palatal expansion and use of appliances to modify growth of the jaws). In young growing children, there are certain treatments that are possible due to growth and bone plasticity (such as expanding the palate).
What age should kids see an orthodontist? The American Association of Orthodontists recommend that all kids see an orthodontist for an evaluation starting at the age of 7.
For aligner patients: what do I need to bring to my appointments? Please bring all your aligner boxes to all your appointments. Please place the aligners that you’ve worn back in their pouches and hang onto all old aligners until your next set of aligners arrives or until you complete your treatment.
