In a nutshell, the answer is no. Typically, ortho insurance has lifetime maximums, which are usually spent up on the first go-round. If you needed braces again in the future and still had the same insurance, you would most likely be out of luck. It’s likely that if you do ortho again, your insurance will be different.
Does insurance cover braces a second time?
Once upon a time, I had a friend named Julie who had a visible gap between her two front teeth; chances are, you knew someone like Julie. A couple of buck teeth can be endearing as a child, but no one thinks them endearing after 30. Except if your name is Michael Strahan.
As is customary for teenagers, Julie acquired braces. And it appeared to aid in the narrowing of the margin. She was overjoyed when the braces were eventually taken off. And she was content until a few years later, when she saw the gap was reappearing! What a waste of those braces, huh?
Julie’s experience isn’t normal, but it does happen. And it’s discouraging to think that after all those years of teen angst, avoiding gummy bears, and coping with metal in your mouth, you might have to go through it all again. However, this does happen. Is this the best option for you? Let’s see if we can figure it out:
This is what, among other things, causes a gap to reappear. The alignment of your bite will change if your teeth begin to misalign. This could cause discomfort as well as other issues in the future.
Braces aren’t cheap, as I’m sure your parents told you at least once. Unfortunately, because they’re considered cosmetic, your insurance will not cover them.
Most people despise their retainers, which necessitate a lot of upkeep and washing to keep them from becoming filthy. However, they serve a very precise purpose: to keep your teeth in the same position as they were before you had braces. In addition, if you were inconsistent with your retainer use, you may need braces again.
Is it bad to get braces twice?
While braces are commonly thought of as a long-term solution for crooked teeth, this is not the case. You might require a second round of orthodontic treatment if you don’t follow your orthodontist’s aftercare guidelines. Fortunately, you’re unlikely to require another pair of braces to get your smile back on track.
Reasons You May Need Orthodontic Treatment Again
Failure to correctly wear retainers is the most common reason patients require orthodontic treatment again. After your braces are removed, your orthodontist will give you a retainer to wear for a set period of time in order to keep your teeth straight. Retainers come in a variety of styles, all of which are low-maintenance and unnoticeable when compared to braces.
Unfortunately, many patients are eager to get their appliances out of their mouths and neglect to properly wear their retainers. Patients may also lose or break their retainer and fail to replace it. In any case, failing to utilize your retainer properly might cause regression, in which your teeth begin to shift back to their original locations.
Unexpected growth is another reason you might require orthodontic treatment again. Many patients have braces during their adolescent or pre-adolescent years, which is an excellent technique to aid in the direction of healthy growth. However, if growth continues to speed in an unanticipated direction, you may experience crookedness, spacing, or misalignments that will necessitate additional treatment.
Some jaw injuries might lead to problems that require orthodontic treatment. Bruxism is a frequent problem that can cause teeth to shift out of place. Chronic teeth-grinding, which can occur throughout the day or while sleeping, is a sign of this illness, which is commonly induced by stress.
Treatment Options to Consider
Because a patient rarely requires the same level of treatment as they did before, you can look at speedier, more convenient alternatives to braces. If you require more significant correction the second time around, Invisalign is a terrific alternative. The aligners are clear, so you’ll have a nice smile for the duration of your treatment. You can also take out the aligners for a short period of time each day, such as for meals or if you’re competing in a sporting event. This treatment method usually lasts between 12 and 18 months, which is much less time than many braces-based treatment schemes.
Invisalign Lite, for example, is a shorter choice for cases where only minor correction is required. This Invisalign variant operates in the same way as the standard form, but it can be completed in as little as six months. If you have minimal repairs that will last six months or less, you may be eligible for Invisalign Express.
Contact Tretter Orthodontics now to schedule a free first consultation if you think you might need orthodontic treatment again. We’ll conduct a complete examination and make treatment and payment recommendations that match your lifestyle and budget.
Can you get braces 3 times?
One of the most prevalent causes is that they are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth when they smile. Making your smile seem nice is a bonus to addressing the problem that caused your teeth to be out of alignment in the first place.
The reason why so many people need braces a second or third time, like in my case. It happens frequently because:
- Their teeth shifted out of alignment since they didn’t wear their retainer enough.
- The underlying cause of their misaligned teeth was never addressed, resulting in issues later on.
Let me give you a quick overview of my dental issues, how I avoided braces for the second and third times, and how I became an Invisalign success story.
Can I get braces again if I already had them?
People rarely remember wearing braces as a youngster or a teenager with fondness. They might have been teased because of their appearance (possibly complete with acne problems and other flaws). They may have also felt discomfort when they first received their braces or when they had them adjusted.
They are pleased, thrilled, and even free when the braces are finally removed after a couple of years. They may finally smile widely and proudly display their perfectly aligned teeth.
Unfortunately, in a few years, their teeth may shift, and they will have to live with crooked pearly whites once more. You may be apprehensive about whether you can still receive braces as an adult, or even upset that you must. Here are five things an orthodontist wants you to know before you become upset:
If you didn’t have the opportunity to receive braces as a child, possibly due to financial constraints, it’s never too late to get braces as an adult. You can also have orthodontic treatment if you already had braces and the effects did not last.
In many circumstances, a person who requires braces again did not follow his or her dentist’s instructions for wearing retainers. For example, you were supposed to wear it every night, but you were too preoccupied with college to remember. Others have forgotten their retainers on cafeteria or fast-food tables (because they must be removed while dining), and the retainers wind up in the garbage by accident.
Other times, the teeth simply shift over time due to changes in the jaw structure or the eruption of wisdom teeth.
What you need to realize is that the next time you get braces, it doesn’t have to be as bad as the last time. There are new orthodontic procedures that are more efficient and cause less discomfort. There are even invisible braces that let you to receive treatment while remaining undetecteda popular choice among celebrities and professionals.
If you don’t want to wear braces or if the misalignment is primarily cosmetic (i.e., it’s not giving you pain or making you susceptible to plaque accumulation), you can look into other dental services, such as those provided by Cody Dental in Denver. Veneers, rather than braces, can be used to improve the appearance of your smile.
Can my teeth relapse after braces?
Relapse is fairly prevalent among those who wear braces, especially in the first year after they are removed. The main reason teeth relapse during this time is that they haven’t entirely settled into their new positions.
Braces work by applying consistent pressure to the tooth, which causes the bone around it to remold, allowing the tooth to move. However, once your braces are removed, there is no longer any force pulling your teeth into the ideal position. Instead, there are forces at work that want to reposition your teeth to their original place. Because the periodontal ligaments that surround your teeth are a robust and flexible fiber, they do not remodel at first. They stretch instead, like a rubber band. After your braces are removed, your teeth are essentially being pulled back to their original position by a rubber band.
The remodelled bone around your tooth may be less dense along the path from your tooth’s new position to its previous place, making the migration of your teeth back more likely.
Finally, it’s possible that your braces were not designed to change your bite. If not, you’re still using the same old bite force that caused your teeth to become misaligned in the first place.
What happens if you lose insurance during braces?
-Nearly all insurance companies will pay a lump sum when the appliances are installed, then make payments over the course of treatment. Because the adjustments aren’t done all at once, they do it this way. This implies that if your insurance is lost or cancelled before your treatment is completed, you may lose a portion of your benefit. Before terminating your insurance, make sure to check with your provider.
How can I get insurance if my braces don’t cover it?
Orthodontics are not always covered by dental insurance. This is incomprehensible to orthodontists. Teeth straightening might help you avoid costly dental issues. Tooth decay, biting issues, and gum disease are just a few of them.
We all know that dental insurance companies rarely choose coverage based on the patient’s best interests.
However, if your dental insurance does not cover braces, you should not give up. You might be able to acquire partial coverage for the treatment. Alternatively, your medical insurance may pay a portion of the procedure.
What to do if your dental insurer doesn’t cover braces.
- Talk to both your dental and medical insurance companies once you’ve finalized your treatment plan.
- If you suffer medical concerns from your misaligned teeth, such as TMJ disease, your health insurance company may cover some of the treatment costs.
- Consider switching dental insurance companiesif your business offers more than one dental plan, check with the other provider(s) to see if braces are covered.
- Consider not renewing your dental insurance and putting the money toward the cost of braces instead of premiums.
- Look into orthodontic insurance if you haven’t already.
- Some businesses are addressing a gap in the market by providing dental insurance tailored to braces and related services.
- Consider shifting money previously spent on dental insurance to your HSA if your employer offers one. You may be eligible for tax benefits.
Are braces medically necessary?
For dental issues that are largely cosmetic in nature, orthodontic treatment is not regarded medically required. Without a verified severe functional impairment, the existence of malocclusion does not qualify for orthodontic coverage.
How do I know if I need braces again?
The benefits of wearing braces should, in theory, last a lifetime. Orthodontic relapse is a frequent and distressing experience for many individuals, especially after years of wearing metal braces in junior high and high school. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, it’s time to consider getting braces again.
New Crowding
Overcrowding is perhaps the most visible symptom that you need braces, especially if your teeth were crowded before your first round of braces. It’s very uncommon for teeth to shift back to their original place without the fortification provided by nighttime retainer wear.
New Gaps
Not only can shifting teeth cause crowding, but they also leave empty spaces in their wake. Look for new gaps that weren’t there when you first finished braces treatment if you fear your teeth are shifting out of place. Your teeth sit side by side without overlapping in a well-aligned smile, making flossing a breeze.
Gum Disease & Tooth Decay
Moving teeth aren’t only a cosmetic concern; they can also be dangerous to your health. When teeth shift out of place, new pockets form in which germs and plaque can grow undetected. Patients who have had any type of orthodontic relapse are at a greater risk of gum disease and tooth decay since these regions are difficult to reach with ordinary brushing and flossing. If you discover that your gums are inflamed or bleed readily, you should get treatment immediately.
Jaw Pain or Discomfort
The jaw joint is crucial for practically all oral functions, from biting to breathing. These daily functions can become uncomfortable when joint health is affected by crooked teeth and a changing bite. Make an appointment with your orthodontist if you experience any pain or discomfort in your jaw.
Difficulty Chewing or Speaking
Shifting teeth can make it difficult to eat and talk clearly. The bite pattern is thrown off when teeth in your mouth do not match up evenly. Shifting teeth can cause problems such as trouble digesting food fully or pronouncing specific sounds.