Gearing up for your new orthodontic treatment plan is always exciting, but it often leaves patients with many questions. Can you finance braces? How often will you have appointments? What do you do if a bracket or wire becomes loose? Questions like these deserve thorough answers, and the Chamberlain Family Orthodontics team is here to help. Keep reading to learn more about orthodontic FAQs and how our practice makes your treatment journey as smooth, comfortable, and convenient as possible.
Scheduling
Do I have to schedule an in-person appointment for a quote?
Although you can always schedule a free in-person consultation with our team to get a quote, you also have the option to complete a virtual assessment to get a cost estimate for your treatment plan. After this assessment, you’ll visit our office for diagnostic imaging to confirm your quote and get started!
Do I need a referral to schedule a free consultation?
Nope! We don’t require referrals, and your insurance doesn’t either. However, we do ask patients to get a cavity check to ensure that necessary dental treatment is completed before we put appliances or attachments on their teeth.
How often will I have appointments?
The answer to this question depends on your treatment type. Most braces patients will visit our team every 4-6 weeks, most Invisalign patients will visit every 8-12 weeks, and most InBrace patients will visit every 8-10 weeks.
Can I schedule most of my appointments around school or work?
We understand that you have a busy schedule, which is why we offer flexible scheduling. Most appointments only require 30-45 minutes of your time, and CFO offers extended hours once a week that make it possible to schedule an appointment during your lunch break or after school or work. We are also open during many school holidays and breaks, which are excellent times to visit our office for longer appointments.
Your Treatment Process
What should I expect after getting my braces or attachments?
Most patients experience some minor soreness or soft tissue discomfort following a bonding appointment, but this can be easily relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers or a warm salt water rinse. You might also experience speech adjustments, although these are temporary and will pass quickly.
What could cause treatment to take longer than estimated?
Missing appointments, repeated breakage, and insufficient elastics or aligner wear can all contribute to longer treatment times. However, by sticking to your treatment plan and Dr. Chamberlain’s directions, you shouldn’t have to worry about extended treatment times.
What should I do if a bracket, attachment, or button breaks?
Fortunately, breakage isn’t considered an orthodontic emergency, so as long as you follow through with a repair appointment, you’ll be good to go. It is essential, though, that you schedule a repair appointment as soon as possible rather than waiting until your next appointment to get your appliance fixed. Repair appointments require more time than regular appointments, and we can’t fix broken appliances without advance notice.
How long do I have to wear my retainer?
After your active treatment is over, you’ll need to wear your retainers full-time for approximately one year. But don’t worry – Chamberlain Family Orthodontics offers clear Vivera retainers by Invisalign so you can show off your straight smile during the retention phase. When the year is up, you’ll continue wearing your retainers at “nighttime for lifetime” to maintain your beautiful treatment results.
How long will my retainer last?
You will need to replace your retainers periodically, usually every two to four years. The most affordable way to purchase replacement retainers is to take advantage of our Retainer Back-Up Plan, which includes either 1 or 3 extra backup retainers.
Finances & Insurance
Can I share financial responsibility?
The responsible party is the decision-maker during treatment, so financial responsibility cannot be shared. However, we do allow patients to have multiple payment methods on file with the understanding that if one of these additional options defaults, the responsible party will pay.
Does CFO work with Care Credit?
No, but we offer many of the same advantages as Care Credit, like 0% in-house financing, no credit checks, no penalties for early payments, initial payments as low as $250, and average monthly payments between $140 and $170.
Will Invisalign or InBrace cost more than traditional braces?
Chamberlain Family Orthodontics charges based on case complexity, not treatment type. This gives us the opportunity to recommend the most effective course of treatment without compromising on your case goals, lifestyle, or unique needs.
Can I use my FSA benefits?
While you can use FSA benefits, we recommend you use them for lump sum payments rather than monthly auto-payments. This ensures you maximize your benefits while avoiding fees and the hassle of ongoing reimbursement requests.
Does CFO work with all insurance plans?
We will submit PPO claims on your behalf, which means your insurance benefits will be deducted from the total treatment cost, lowering your monthly payments.
Will I still owe my monthly payment if I miss my appointment?
Yes. Your payment plan and treatment schedule are completely separate, so even if you miss an appointment, you’re still responsible for the monthly payment until your account balance is paid off.
Chamberlain Family Orthodontics: The Answer to All Your Questions
Getting the treatment you deserve is easy at Chamberlain Family Orthodontics. No matter what questions you have, we’ll guide you throughout the entire process so that you feel comfortable, informed, and confident in your treatment plan. If you’re ready to straighten your smile, schedule your free consultation in Redlands or Beaumont and get started today!
