Have you considered having your teeth straightened but felt you were too old? Are you dissatisfied with your smile but don’t know if braces are for you? Are you finding it hard to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, a trip to the orthodontist’s office may be in order.
On the contrary! Adults are now filling more than 25% of the seats in orthodontists’ offices across the country. Of this high number, men make up approximately 30% of these patients while women are still in the majority.
Straight teeth are healthy teeth. Teeth that aren’t overly crowded are easier to keep clean. This means that adult gums will be healthier, and this will diminish the chances of decay and early tooth loss.
Teeth that do not line up properly can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces as well as cause excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue. This can lead to gum disease and the eventual need for dentures.
Many adults suffer from temporomandibular disorders or TMD for short. These disorders can cause jaw clicking, headaches, facial pain and a vast array of symptoms. Proper tooth and jaw position can eliminate these problems.
First of all, adults tend to be more compliant in their treatment. They tend to follow Dr. Antosz’s directions more fully, and this can make a big difference in the outcome of their orthodontic work. Adults tend to wear their appliances and elastic bands as instructed, and this can help the teeth to move into their proper position at a quicker rate. Adults tend to follow the rules of good oral hygiene. While this is important at any age, it is especially important during orthodontic treatment.
The bones of an adult, unlike those of a child, are no longer growing. Because of this, treatment can be slower and take longer to accomplish. The end results, however, are usually well worth the wait.
The bone support for an adult’s teeth is firmer than that of a growing child and is naturally more resistant to tooth movement. Though this is a hindrance, it isn’t a deterrent. As long as the teeth, the gums, and the underlying bone are healthy, teeth can be straightened at any age.
In most cases, treatment for adults is nearly identical for children. Adults, as well as children, need an individualized plan that our orthodontics will decide upon.
1. The first step is a comprehensive oral exam that will evaluate the condition of your teeth, jaw and gums.
2. Next, our orthodontists and team will use iCAT digital imaging technology to take images of your head, neck, airways, teeth and jaws. From these images, Dr. Antosz and Dr. Vincelli will get a clear picture of your orthodontic needs. Once a course of treatment has been detailed and fully discussed, our orthodontists will help you determine which options are right for you and your individual needs and concerns.
3. Then comes the big day when you get your braces or Invisalign®, and we will take care of you for the length of time for treatment.
4. Now you can grab a coffee in the Antosz Vincelli Lounge and participate in our many fun activities!
If something breaks, call our office immediately for advice to determine the urgency of your situation. We may wait until your next scheduled visit or arrange an earlier repair visit.
Your braces treatment will also include some information on how to treat some common problems at home, like irritating wires and brackets. If you need more information, download our patient care app below!
- Sticky candies like toffee, jujubes, caramels, skittles etc.
- Nuts, popcorn kernels
- Hard granola bars
- Suckers
- Ice and popsicles
- Hard candy (do not chew!)
- Hard rolls, bagels, and pizza crust
- Hard fruits and veggies: cut or break up into small pieces and chew with back teeth
- Ribs and meat on bones
- Corn on the cob: cut off before eating
- Chewing pens, pencils, fingernails or using teeth to open things
- Bubblegum (sugarless gum is okay!)
Yes! We have 2 that we highly recommend.
Download Dolphin Mobile for lots for helpful patient videos, tips and instructions!
For current patients, download our Antosz Vincelli Orthodontics App to earn points and redeem great prizes!
Orthodontic fees are personalized according to the treatment required. All fees are broken down into an initial payment and monthly payments made over the time of treatment. There is no interest charged or GST payable on orthodontic treatment. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Interac, auto-debit and post-dated cheques. We will not accept payments directly from an insurance company.
Your insurance policy is an agreement between yourself and your insurance company. There is usually a lifetime maximum per person. How you decide to finance your orthodontic treatment is your decision and does not affect how your insurance company will reimburse you. Most insurance companies will only reimburse you for services rendered as they occur. In orthodontics this means up to one third of the total cost when treatment starts and each following month an equal portion of the remainder for the estimated duration of treatment until the maximum has been reached.
Yes. We have a payment plan that is flexible and can be spread over the length of your treatment. There are also pay-in-full options. Ask us at our office to learn more.
All insurance companies require a pre-authorization for orthodontic treatment before they will accept claims. My insurance company says I need procedure codes. There is an agreement in place between Specialists in Orthodontics in Canada and the insurance associations that procedure codes are not required for orthodontic treatment.
In our office you will receive claim forms to cover the entire treatment period or until your maximum is reached. You may be able to claim online, please check with your insurance provider. It is your responsibility to make your claims according to your insurance policy requirements. Most insurance companies will not accept receipts for payment and they often have time limits for submitting claims.
You need to send pre-authorizations to both companies. When claiming for a child, each month, the parent with the birthday that falls first in the year, would claim first, and then send the remainder to the second or third company along with a copy of the explanation of benefits. You cannot claim more than 100% of what you pay.
We will not submit your claim forms for you as we have no relationship with your insurance company and unfortunately, there is no system for us to claim orthodontic payments electronically. You may be able to claim online, please check with your insurance provider.
Check to see if you have reached your maximum lifetime limit on your last payment from your insurance company. If not, please call our financial coordinator to discuss this. (403) 247-3250.
If the new coverage is with the same employer, check with the human resources department to see whether you need a new pre-authorization. If you or your spouse has brand new coverage, you will need to call us to receive a new pre-authorization. You would then receive a confirmation from the new company as to the coverage that is still available if the patient is mid-treatment.
Health spending accounts are not the same as insurance. They do not require pre-authorizations or claim forms but will accept receipts for reimbursement. Your payments do not have to correspond with treatment rendered with a Health Spending Account.
Any portion of the fee that is not reimbursed can be claimed as a medical expense.
Because each person is different, the cost for your personalized plan will vary from other individuals. Ask our Calgary orthodontist for a consultation to get a better idea of what your personalized orthodontic services will cost.
