Patient Resources

Dr. Ben McDowell and our team know that some families avoid orthodontic care because of its price, but we promise to work with you to determine the payment plan that best suits your needs. Our orthodontist in Payson, Arizona, wants all patients in our community to benefit from our customized treatment plans, which is why we accept several different financial options at our office. We also offer in house financing with no interest.

We take dental insurance plans at Payson Orthodontics so long as they offer orthodontic coverage. If you are unsure whether your insurance has this coverage or not, please contact your provider or call our team. We also take CareCredit at our practice, which is a third-party financing provider that offers payment plans at little to no interest. If you have any questions about paying for our orthodontic care, then please contact a member of our friendly team for more information. We are happy to answer your questions.

We want our patients to have great experiences at Payson Orthodontics, which is why we keep information about braces on our site. Dr. Ben McDowell offers this resource so you can learn more about how to care for your braces and what to expect during treatment. Contact our orthodontist in Payson, Arizona, if you have any questions about the information presented below:

Caring For Your Braces

While you are wearing braces, it is essential that you maintain good oral hygiene. Proper oral hygiene may be a bit more difficult with braces, but it is important that you take good care of your smile so you can prevent dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and demineralization. If left untreated, these problems can cause more serious oral health issues, and they can prolong your orthodontic treatment.

To keep your smile healthy while you have braces, our orthodontist encourages you to follow these guidelines:

• Brush your teeth at least three times every day. Brush after every meal, and if you eat a sugary snack in between meals, it is best to brush again.
• Use an interproximal brush to help clean around the brackets and wires. This can help to clean spots that your toothbrush might have a hard time reaching because of your braces.
• Floss at least once every day. Dr McDowell recommends using a water flosser like Waterpik Waterflosser as the easiest and most effective way to clean between the teeth. Alternatively, you can use traditional floss by using a floss threader can make is easier to thread the floss behind the wire of your braces.
• Rinse your teeth with water every time you clean your teeth. Based on your specific needs, we may recommend a specialized rinse.
• Pay attention to the list of foods to avoid with braces. This can help to keep your smile healthy and avoid damage to your braces.

If you would like more information about how to maintain good oral hygiene with braces, we invite you to contact our office today. We are eager to speak with you!

What are the benefits of having braces?

The most obvious benefits of orthodontic treatment in Payson, Arizona, is having a straight, beautiful smile. This smile can help you feel more confident and have higher levels of self-esteem. Even though bite correction is often overlooked because it isn’t as clearly seen, a proper fitting bite is critical for your health as it will help your teeth function better and last longer. A straight smile is stronger, easier to clean, less likely to experience tooth wear, and it evenly distributes bite forces.

 

Do I need braces?

If you are unhappy with the appearance of fit of your teeth, you could likely benefit from orthodontic treatment. You or your dentist may notice that you have crooked teeth, a crossbite, uneven wear of the teeth, excessive overbite, or an underbite. You may also feel that your teeth just don’t fit well together. Any one of these could be an indication that you should consider and orthodontic consultation to evaluate your mouth and concerns.

 

When should an orthodontic treatment begin?

Even though they don’t have all of their permanent teeth in yet, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that a child should receive their first orthodontic consultation when they are seven-years-old. Even though the majority of kids don’t need early treatment, significant developmental problems of the jaws and dentition can be diagnosed and addressed that will lead to more natural growth and avoid more complex dental issues in the future. Dr. Ben McDowell offers early treatment options to address these developing issues leading to the most healthy outcomes. Final correction of the bite and alignment will often happen after the remaining permanent teeth grow in some time around age 12 (but varies by the individual).

 

Am I too old for braces?

There is no age where someone is too old for orthodontic treatment. Ask yourself, "how many more years do I want to spend disliking my smile?” or “do I want to enjoy another 10 years of enjoying my smile?” Our orthodontist treats patients of all ages and most orthodontic conditions can be treated with Invisalign which will provide a more esthetic and discreet option to align your teeth, especially as an adult. While some conditions are more easily treated during our growing years and adolescence, it is never too late to align your teeth and your smile.

 

How does orthodontic treatment work?

Braces or aligners you wear both use gentle pressure forces to shift your teeth into a new position over time. With braces, we change wire materials and sizes to produce continued movement to the desired position of the teeth.  With aligners, you will have a series of custom made aligners that you will typically change out weekly that will move your teeth in pre-programmed increments until they reach their destination.

 

How long will my orthodontic treatment take?

The length of your treatment depends on the severity of your malocclusion problems and your treatment goals. Full orthodontic treatment with bite correction typically lasts for 12–24 months, but many treatment options can last as little as a couple months or less than a year.

 

Do braces hurt?

Your teeth may feel a little sore after you first receive braces and after your tightening appointments. However, this soreness is temporary and can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication.

 

Do I still need to visit my dentist if I have braces?

Yes, in fact, visiting a dentist for regular checkups becomes even more important after an orthodontic treatment because your teeth are harder to clean while you wear braces.

Orthodontic Emergency Care

Our team at Payson Orthodontics understands how uncomfortable it is to have a broken wire or bracket, which is why we offer orthodontic emergency care. If you have a problem with your braces, then contact our orthodontist and team so we can quickly repair your braces. Call Dr. Ben McDowell if you need to receive orthodontic emergency care in Payson, Arizona.

What should I do if I experience an orthodontic emergency?
If you experience an orthodontic emergency, such as a broken or lost appliance, we urge you to call our office as soon as possible. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled soon, please call us immediately to let us know that you need an appliance repaired. We will also be able to provide you with any needed instructions on what to do until you can come to our office to see our orthodontist.

Loose Brackets or Bands
If a bracket, band, or wire is loosened, please call our office immediately; the brackets may need to be refitted. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, we recommend using fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. You may also need to slide a bracket off at night or over a weekend before you are able to come to our office. Please call our office on the next business day so we can schedule an appointment for you.

Poking Wires or Wire Irritations
If the wire is irritating your cheeks or gums, you can move the wire away from the irritated area by using a cotton swab or eraser. If you cannot move the wire, cover the end of it with a small piece of cotton or wax to relieve irritation. If the wire is still painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you need to cut the wire or if you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call us for an appointment.

Lost Separators
Many patients lose a separator over the course of their treatment. If you lose a separator, call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.

If you are visiting our fun, relaxing orthodontic office in Payson, Arizona, for the first time, then we invite you to fill out our new patient forms beforehand. Completing our Payson Orthodontics patient forms before your first appointment will help to make your check in to our practice run more smoothly. Call our orthodontist, Dr. Ben McDowell, if you have any questions about our new patient forms. We look forward to seeing you here soon!