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Understanding Your Coverage

Your dental insurance should cover necessary dental maintenance and emergencies. For example, it is uncommon for insurance to cover for teeth whitening services. The plans layout what is considered protocol on an annual basis and determine how much the dentist receives as compensation. Depending on the coverage, the fees may be paid via direct reimbursement or by submitting claims.

You also need to determine if the dentist or orthodontist you prefer to work with accept your dental health coverage. The majority of policies have “in-network” and “out-of-network” schedules that indicate what they pay and what you pay. To ensure your out-of-pocket costs are as low as possible it’s important to choose an in-network provider.

Determining Your Needs

If you take good care of your teeth and typically don’t have problems, you may want a policy that covers basic care (cleanings and fillings) and emergencies; however, if you haven’t practiced good oral hygiene or anticipate having some more invasive procedures, you may want a more detailed policy. You should also consider whether to include orthodontic coverage.

Important Considerations

When selecting dental insurance, there are important considerations to know. Always know the following:

What is your monthly premium?

What is your out of pocket expense for each treatment?

What kind of coverage do you want?

Do you have lifetime limits?

Do you have coverage for family members?

Does your coverage include out-of-network dentists?

Dental insurance can be very confusing especially if you have never had it. The majority of companies provide insurance experts through their human resources departments; don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are getting coverage on your own, ask the customer service representative your questions. Once you have all your information, you can make an informed decision. And, of course, if you have questions about how the services at Wright Orthodontics fits into your dental insurance plan, contact us.

Our patients with an overbite frequently inquire whether Invisalign® is a potential solution. The answer is “yes!” Invisalign® is a technologically-advanced orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligner trays to straighten teeth without being very noticeable. They are offered to adults seeking orthodontic treatments because they require more diligence and responsibility on the part of patients to consistently wear and care for them.

In its inception, Invisalign® was used to treat mild issues such as overcrowding and minor teeth realignment. As the treatment progressed, Invisalign® has been recommended for more orthodontic issues, including an overbite.

What is an Overbite?

An overbite is a dental condition in which the upper teeth noticeably protrude out from the lower teeth when the mouth is closed, and teeth are clenched together. It may result from thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, excessive use of bottles or pacifiers, or, simply, genetics.

For those with an extensive overbite, it is common for the upper teeth to protrude over the bottom lip (horizontal overbite). When adults suffer from overbites and want to correct their teeth, they may be even concerned about the awkwardness of wearing metal braces.

How Does Invisalign® Fix an Overbite?

Invisalign® is used most often in patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Unless the overbite is severe, orthodontists can fix an overbite with Invisalign®. The key to successful treatments for overbites is following the protocol and wearing the aligners continuously to ensure the teeth are moved into the correct position.

With Invisalign®, clear aligner trays are worn about 22 hours a day – all the time except when eating and brushing. Over time, the aligners push protruding teeth back and into their proper position. Every two weeks, new trays are placed over the teeth to continue the process of moving the teeth.

Patients with overbites typically require treatment times of up to two years depending on the extent of the protrusion. Once the treatment is complete, they must wear retainers to ensure their teeth stay in place until the gums and bones around the teeth are able to secure the teeth.

What About Severe Overbites?

Severe overbites may require a more extensive protocol such as traditional metal braces. This is due to the control that the wire and brackets have in shifting teeth back into their correct positions then pushing them back to diminish the overbite. Some severe overbites require orthodontic treatments to expand the skeletal area of the mouth to accommodate the repositioning of the teeth.

Can Overbites be Prevented?

Overbites can be minimized or prevented by averting childhood habits like thumb sucking and nail-biting. When genetics is at play, early intervention is important. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist as early as age seven.

Let’s Correct Your Overbite

Adults with overbites have options to correct their misaligned teeth. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Marc S. Wright to see if Invisalign® or another treatment is the best option to correct an overbite.

Visit us at one of our two convenient locations