If you're looking into teeth straightening solutions for you or your child, you may have pondered whether you can get braces with Medicare. In short, yes - you can get braces with Medicare, but it is only for severe cases causing major health concerns. Generally, orthodontic treatment with braces is not covered under Medicare, however you might be covered under private health insurance, depending on the details of your policy.

If You Can't Get Braces with Medicare...

Should you have private health insurance you may be entitled to claim a portion of the cost of braces back from your health fund. But, because every case and every fund is different, it’s important to check with your policy provider prior to starting treatment.

If you don’t currently have any cover, you’ll need to weigh up your options. Determine whether it will be more cost effective to commence with or without health insurance.

When you’re sure braces are in your future and you want to start considering your financial obligations and options, speak with your orthodontist and see what could be right for you. Options will depend on what you are capable of and comfortable with, and may include the following:

• • Paying a discounted rate up-front
  • Utilising a payment plan to pay over time
  • Inclusions in Health Insurance policies

How to Keep Braces Affordable

Talk to your orthodontist to see what plans they can offer to help you make paying for braces more affordable. You can look into health insurance coverage to help save on costs if your orthodontist accepts it. There are many companies that offer rebates on orthodontic treatments - like braces. The reduced cost can make the difference to help you get the treatment you need. Talk to your insurance company about your specific coverage and ensure you ask the right questions to confirm if braces would be covered for you. If so, be sure to ask how much assistance they will offer.

At Profile Orthodontics, the costs & payment options of your chosen treatment will be explained during your appointment. This might aid you in choosing one particular treatment over another. We provide an all-inclusive fee, which means there are no hidden surprises. Additionally, our interest-free payment plans mean that your payments can be spread out to make treatment more affordable.

Book an appointment with Profile Orthodontics and discuss if getting braces is right for you.

Most orthodontic treatments will be required to be worn on the teeth for upwards of 6 months. During this time, there's plenty of opportunity to misplace your aligners or damage your wires and brackets. While your orthodontist will generally allow for the repair of breakages free of charge, there could be fees for broken brackets, wires, plates or lost aligners if damage or loss occurs frequently.

Causes of Broken Appliances

Broken or lost appliances are normal during orthodontic treatments. During treatment with braces, a patient might receive mouth trauma during sport or may have eaten forbidden foods which break or damage braces.

When it comes to retainers or removable plates, patients often lose them at school, break them accidentally, their dog chews them or they are left in a serviette when eating out. While we understand that breakage or loss often occurs during orthodontic treatment, it's imperative to note that broken brackets will delay your treatment.

What to Expect When a Bracket, Wire, Plate or Retainer breaks

Many patients have no breakages throughout their treatment and others have several. Some orthodontic practices may charge to fix the broken brackets. Here's what you should expect in case you lose your retainers, plate or break your brackets.

As for the fees for broken brackets, wires, plates or lost aligners, most orthodontic practices won't charge you a fee for the first few broken brackets. However, some may start to charge after several breakages. It is important that you check with your orthodontist as to what is included in your treatment fees. If the wire in your braces breaks, there is no fee associated to replace it. Lost or broken retainers/plates incur an extra fee because it requires time and materials for the technician to make new ones. Your orthodontist will inform you if a band or bracket has broken.

Fees for Repair or Replacement of Your Appliance

Broken plates can often undergo repair and there is usually an extra charge for repairs. Wire replacement for your bonded retainer generally will incur a cost, which differs between practitioners. Seeking advice on replacement and associated fees from the practice that completed your orthodontic treatment, is always best. Repair is on occasion possible, although the costs will differ due to individual circumstances.

If you are a patient of former patient, you are welcome to contact our office to get a specific quote. If we can't repair your retainer/plate, you might need to have a new one made. Keep in mind that the cost of substitute retainers/plates differs by the kind. You can obtain a precise quote once we evaluate your orthodontic device.

Keeping Your Appliance Safe

Keep your retainers/plates in their protective cases when they aren't in your mouth to avoid accidental breakage and loss.  Substitute the retainer/plate as soon as possible to avoid further teeth movement or delayed treatment times.

A common concern among parents whose teens wear aligners is the possibility of losing them. This is normal and even the most responsible teen might lose one occasionally. If this happens, don't worry - you're covered. Most dental practices will replace up to six aligners during your teen's Invisalign treatment and they'll obtain a replacement at no extra cost. This can give you some relief, recognising that what you intend to pay won't increase as the treatment continues. Nevertheless, it's important you check with your provider's policy because variations might occur across different clinics. Here's a list of measures to take in case your teen loses an aligner.

Don't Progress Early

Your teen might be tempted not to disclose about the lost aligner and simply advance to the subsequent treatment phase. However, aligner trays purposely seek to advance the teeth in minuscule movements over a period of time. Advancing when the teeth haven't shifted appropriately into position could alter treatment from the initial plan prescribed by your teen's orthodontist. Your teen could try the subsequent set of aligners to see whether they fit. However, only if he or she was close to completing the former treatment phase.

If the tray doesn't fit correctly, don't force it. It might indicate that the lost aligner hadn't finished its role. We don't advocate for going backward with the treatment since it will slow down your teen's progress and could alter his or her treatment altogether.

If a Teen Loses an Aligner, Consult Your Orthodontist First

Before deciding what to do, it's imperative you consult your orthodontist who will make the best decisions depending on your care plan. It's important that if your teen does require replacement trays, to pick them up as quickly as possible.

Your orthodontist will advise if it's possible to move to the subsequent set of trays. This is when you will discuss if and how the schedule will change.

Be Proactive

To avoid the possible stress that accompanies the loss of aligners, teens should protect the trays all the time. It means being mindful of where they're placed when removed during a meal and following the recommended schedule.

Before you panic about your teen losing his or her aligner trays, understand that it's normal. Moreover, you can take certain measures to ensure your teen's teeth remain on the right track.

If you are still worried that your teen might be prone to losing their aligners, try looking into the pros and cons of Invisalign vs Braces. Your orthodontist will be able to recommend which solution is best for your teen's lifestyle. Contact Profile Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Invisalign clear braces have become a popular alternative to metal braces for teens and adults alike. The treatment involves clear, almost-invisible aligners and a customised plan for your teeth. If you are considering Invisalign treatment, you may be wondering how long Invisalign lasts; including how long the treatment period is, and what the long-lasting results are.

Once the initial treatment period has been completed, the results from months of wearing Invisalign aligners are designed to last a lifetime.

Length of the Invisalign Treatment

Each Invisalign treatment plan is unique depending on your teeth. The orthodontist will develop a custom treatment plan which will involve a series of invisible aligners. Every two weeks, the patient will receive a new set of aligners, with each set gradually applying pressure to promote movement.

In order to gradually move teeth into the desired position, the Invisalign trays must be worn for 22 hours each day. You can remove the aligners when eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth.

Patients will be required to visit their orthodontist every four to six weeks to ensure the treatment is progressing. On average, treatment takes around 12 months.

How long does Invisalign last? Designed to Last a Lifetime

Your experience doesn’t end once your Invisalign treatment has your smile exactly where you want it to be. No matter what kind of orthodontic treatment you have received, you may have to wear retainers for some time to avoid the teeth shifting back to where they used to be. The retainers will help maintain results, protect your Invisalign investment, and keep your teeth in line for a lifetime.

For your Invisalign treatment to last the rest of your life, make sure to keep up with your treatment regimen. Visit your orthodontist as often as required and change your Invisalign aligners on schedule. And finally, wear the retainers when needed, for as long as instructed. You should not need metal brackets, frequent dentist visits or painful wires to keep your teeth in position after the Invisalign treatment.