BRACE YOURSELF, IT'S ORTHODONTICS

Philadelphia Daily News

(c) 1996 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. All rts. reserv.

07679051 BRACE YOURSELF, IT'S ORTHODONTICS Philadelphia Daily 
News (DN) - MONDAY June 27, 1994 By: Harry Wessel, Orlando Sentinel 
Edition: PM  Section: FEATURES YO!  Page: 37 Word Count: 546

MEMO: LIFELINES YOUR HEALTH

TEXT: More  than  2 1/2 million children wear braces on their teeth, about 
one in every  six  kids  between  the  ages  of 11 and 14. That's a lot of 
parents putting  their  money  where their kids' mouths are. Orthodontic 
braces are often  the  most expensive health decision parents make for 
their children. Braces  can be a wise investment, saving big bucks in the 
long run, but ask questions first.

Q: What do braces do, exactly?
   A:  Braces move teeth from where they are to where they ought to be. 
The movement  is  slow and takes at least a year, and more typically 2 to 2 
1/2 years.

   Q: How do braces do that?

   A:  A  strong  wire,  anchored to a metal anchor wrapped around the 
back molars,  exerts  steady  pressure  against the rest of the teeth and 
pushes them into place.

   Q: Aren't braces just for cosmetic purposes?

   A:  They  can be, but there are real health reasons for them. Misaligned 
teeth  can  result  in  jaw  problems.  Crowded  teeth  can be difficult or 
impossible  to  clean  properly,  which  can  lead  to severe tooth and gum 
problems.

   Q: Are braces painful?

   A:  There  is tenderness and occasional discomfort in the teeth and 
gums when  braces  are  tightened,  but  advanced  nickel-titanium  alloys  
have improved  the  efficiency  of  the  wires,  allowing orthodontists to 
exert lighter but steadier pressure on the teeth.

   Q: Is there a best age to get started with braces?

   A:  Most  kids  with  braces  are  between  the  ages  of 11 and 14, but 
orthodontists are seeing children far younger than that. Most orthodontists 
recommend  an initial visit by age 7, earlier if the child's dentist thinks it's 
warranted.

   Q: How can orthodontics help a child who still has baby teeth?

   A:  Braces  in  young children can make corrections in the jaw that will 
help  their  adult  teeth  grow into proper position. Children who have had 
interceptive  treatment  usually  still need to wear braces in adolescence, 
but  the treatment likely will be less complicated and of shorter duration. In 
some cases interceptive treatment corrects jaw problems that would later 
require surgery.

   Q: How much do braces cost?

   A: $1,800 to $4,500, says the American Academy of Orthodontics. 
Usually, $3,000-$4,000.
   Q: Will insurance pay for it?

   A: Many insurance policies will pay part, but few will pay all of it.

   Q: How can we afford braces?

   A:  A  typical billing arrangement would pay the orthodontist a lump sum 
at the outset and the rest in installments.

   Q: How many visits are covered?

   A:  As many as are needed. An orthodontic patient typically will see the 
doctor  every  three to five weeks while braces are on, with a handful more 
of unplanned visits arising for such problems as a wire needing adjustment.

   Q: After the braces come off?

   A:  Patients are given a ''retainer'' - a removable, custom-made plastic 
and  metal mouthpiece usually worn just at night - to ensure the teeth stay 
in place. Visits continue every five weeks or so for up to a year, and then 
less frequently depending on how the teeth respond.
   Q: So how do I decide which orthodontist to send my child to?

   A: Ask for recommendations from your family dentist and from friends 
who have had children in braces.

                Copyright Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. 1994

DESCRIPTORS:  HEALTH; CHILDREN; COST