Traditional Braces – Copperas Cove, TX

The Trusted Way to Straighten Smiles

Our in-house orthodontist, Dr. Ahmet Celebi, has been straightening smiles for well over a decade and is a member of several professional organizations like the American Association of Orthodontics and World Federation of Orthodontics. Reach out to us to find out how he can correct your orthodontic concerns with traditional braces in Copperas Cove.

Why Choose Benchmark Family Dental & Orthodontics for Traditional Braces?

  • In-House, Experienced Orthodontist
  • In-Network with Many Major PPO Insurances
  • Patient-Centered, Honest Dentistry

How Do Traditional Braces Work?

a teen with braces smiling

When most people think of orthodontics, the first picture that will pop into their head is metal braces. These have been utilized for several centuries, but today, they offer a sleeker, more modern appearance that makes them a great option for both teens and adults.

Traditional braces in Copperas Cove utilize small metal brackets or ceramic esthetic braces that Dr. Celebi attaches to each individual tooth. Typically, patients come in every four to six weeks to have their braces tightened until they receive their final results.

What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?

a man having his teeth examined by an orthodontist

Metal or ceramic esthetic braces are incredibly versatile and have the ability to fix a wide range of orthodontic concerns that other options may not be able to. Some of these include:

Bite Misalignment

Moderate to severe bite misalignment, including overbite, underbite, and crossbite, can have a severe impact on your comfort as well as lead to secondary dental health concerns, like trauma on the teeth. Braces do an excellent job at correcting these concerns and restoring harmony to your bite.  

With Invisalign, you can expect to see results in just 12-24 months of working with our orthodontist!

Crowded & Crooked Teeth

Crowded and crooked teeth aren’t just a cosmetic concern. The hard-to-reach crevices that they create within the mouth can put you at a higher risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Braces have the ability to shift your teeth to lie flush with each other, making effective brushing and flossing much easier.

Gapped Teeth

Similar to crooked teeth, gapped teeth also have both aesthetic and functional implications for your smile by creating spaces for food debris and bacteria to hide. Braces have the ability to close these spaces and provide you with a perfectly aligned grin.

Caring for Your Braces

a model of a mouth with braces

Braces in Copperas Cove offer the best results when they’re well-cared for throughout your orthodontic journey. Some of the best methods of cleaning and maintaining your new appliance include:

  • Follow dietary restrictions advised by your orthodontist, Dr. Celebi.
  • Protect your mouth while playing sports or from grinding by wearing a sportsguard or nightguard.
  • Brush your teeth after every meal for a full two minutes, and be sure to floss with a water flosser every day!
  • Prioritize your orthodontic appointments to make sure you stay on track with your treatment timeline.

Understanding the Cost of Traditional Braces

A woman with braces holding hundred-dollar bills next to her face

Before you get traditional braces, you’ll naturally want to learn their price. Fair enough – you can’t budget for a treatment if you don’t know the expenses involved. Just note that you must consult Dr. Celebi for a precise estimate; the cost of traditional braces varies from patient to patient. Our office will then work to make your care affordable, walking you through its pricing factors, dental insurance, etc. For more relevant details, please continue reading or call our office soon!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces

A closeup of a woman with braces receiving dental care

During your care, you’ll receive an oral exam that notes the factors affecting your braces’ cost. These include the following:

  • Your Age – Compared to kids, adults have firmly set teeth that take longer to move. That means older patients often pay a bit more for treatment.
  • Misalignment Severity – Traditional braces cost more as the distance your teeth must move increases.
  • Need for Accessories – Aside from braces, you may need supplies like elastics or space maintainers. Getting such things would add to your treatment cost.
  • Your Care Compliance – Your teeth won’t move as planned if you don’t follow your orthodontist’s instructions. From there, you’d have a longer treatment that costs more.

Professional Braces vs. “DIY” Braces: Which Costs More?

A closeup of a dentist adjusting a patient’s braces

Professional braces may seem pricier than DIY ones, but they’re ultimately the better investment. They’ll save you more money over time than any do-it-yourself options would.

The biggest issue with DIY braces is that they don’t offer good long-term results. Their effects rarely last more than a year, even if they quickly move your teeth. That means they’d leave your smile at a high risk of returning to its former, crooked self.

Worse yet is that DIY braces involve more long-term spending than metal ones. Because these self-made kinds often damage teeth and gums, they usually require costly follow-up care. You’d then likely end up with traditional braces anyway, defeating the point of the so-called “in-expensive” option.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?

An insurance agent showing a dental insurance form to a patient

Dental insurance doesn’t often cover orthodontics, but it’s more likely to cover metal braces than pairs of clear aligners. Your odds of getting benefits will also improve if you need braces for medical reasons. Additionally, many plans fully cover braces for patients under 18.

If you qualify for benefits at all, you can generally expect up to 50% coverage. Our team will ensure that much by getting you in touch with your plan provider.

Options for Making Braces Affordable

A man using a credit card to pay for dental treatment

Thankfully enough, metal braces can be affordable without dental insurance. All you need to do is use our practice’s helpful payment options! Here at Benchmark Dental & Orthodontics, we provide services like:

  • Special Offers – Our office is currently running a special for new patients. For first-time visitors, the initial consultation only costs $89!
  • CareCredit Financing – We’re proud to work with CareCredit, a reputable 3rd party financier. They’d let you pay for metal braces in small monthly installments, all with little or no interest.

Making your smile straight doesn’t have to “break the bank.” Instead, visit our office and let us sort out the financial details of your treatment.

Traditional Braces FAQs

Do Traditional Braces Hurt?

Traditional braces can cause slight amounts of pain. That said, any aches you feel from treatment will be mild, temporary, and worth bearing.

Pain may start right after your braces are applied. Once the brackets and wires are set, you’ll likely experience some soreness in your teeth and gums. This ache should only last a week, though; it can also be managed with pain relievers, cold compresses, and a soft food diet.

Your smile shouldn’t hurt much (if at all) after the 1-week mark. You might feel some pressure as your dentist tightens the braces every few weeks, but it won’t cause deep discomfort. If your appliance rubs against your mouth’s soft tissues, you can also apply orthodontic wax to ease any soreness.

Can I Get Traditional Braces on Just My Top or Bottom Teeth?

Speaking technically, you can get braces on just one row of teeth – the top, the bottom, etc. Doing so is seldom recommended, however; it’s usually more trouble than it’s worth.

Metal braces are inherently designed to bring both arches into alignment. Given that fact, shifting one arch and not the other can cause various problems. Chief among them is that your arches won’t come together properly after treatment, forcing you to “re-do” your orthodontics. (This process could make a slight underbite or overbite more pronounced, cause chewing difficulties, etc.)

Given the facts above, your dentist will only suggest single-arch treatment if it’s your best option.

Can I Chew Gum with Traditional Braces?

You normally shouldn’t chew gum while wearing braces from Copperas Cove. If you do, you’ll put your treatment (and your smile more broadly) at risk.

Most notably, something like chewing gum could get stuck in your braces. It’d then cause your braces’ wires to bend, forcing your teeth to shift in unexpected (and undesirable) directions. This result would prolong the length of your treatment and cost you time and money.

To avoid trouble, try to skip chewing gum during treatment. You’ll be better off that way!

What Happens After You Get Your Braces Off?

Once your braces are removed, you’ll go through various phases of after-care. Doing so ensures your treatment results persist, as well as protects your smile.

The biggest part of this after-care is wearing a retainer. The device will keep your teeth from moving to their former positions, helping your smile stay straight. As for how long you’ll wear it, the timing can vary; you’ll learn the exact timetable from your dentist. Just expect to wear a removable retainer almost 24/7 for several weeks after your braces removal.