Orthodontic FAQ

If you have a question about orthodontic treatment, there’s a good chance someone else has had the same question!

When you come to one of our offices in Seminole or St. Petersburg for your first visit, we’ll give you all of the information you need to undergo a successful, smooth orthodontic treatment process.

Use these FAQs to prepare for your consultation or refresh your memory throughout your treatment. If you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to give us a call. We’d love to hear from you!

Not even close! We provide different types of braces as well as Invisalign® clear aligners to suit our patients’ varying preferences. Choose from traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, advanced self-ligating braces and Invisalign clear aligners.

No matter your orthodontic condition, smile goals or lifestyle preferences, we have a treatment option to meet your needs!

The AAO advises that children receive their first orthodontic screening by age 7. Early screenings are critical for detecting problematic orthodontic conditions before they progress. Through early detection and early intervention of orthodontic problems, we can effectively minimize the need for future treatment. Children whose malocclusions (misalignments) worsen may require corrective jaw surgery or an extensive treatment length in the near future.

Early orthodontic screenings enable Dr. Insoft or Dr. Hurst to begin the necessary steps toward establishing a healthy foundation for a beautiful set of permanent teeth to grow.

Just like the length of your treatment period, there is no fixed number for the cost of braces. The cost of treatment will depend on the length of your treatment period, your insurance coverage, and the payment plan you choose.

We believe everyone should have access to affordable orthodontic care, without compromising the quality of treatment! We offer a number of affordable payment plans to meet our patients’ financial needs. We also accept a number of insurance plans to help you manage the cost of braces, and we’ll file your insurance claims for you!

We’re here to help you manage the cost of treatment in any way we can.

Just like the cost of braces, the cost of Invisalign will depend on the length of your treatment, your insurance coverage and the payment plan you choose with us.

Although, unlike many orthodontists, we offer Invisalign at the same price as braces! There is no additional cost if you choose Invisalign. We also allow you to switch to braces, at no additional charge, if you decide that Invisalign isn’t right for you. As long as you decide this within the first 6 months of your treatment, we’re more than happy to help you transition to braces!

Yes! Dental cleanings are still extremely important. We want to ensure that your teeth and gums are clean and healthy throughout your treatment. We are in very close contact with our patients’ dentists throughout their entire treatment, because we believe the best results happen when everyone is on the same page!

We’re also happy to help coordinate for future implants, bridges, missing teeth or any other restorative dental treatment if needed.

No matter your age is, you’re never too old to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. We treat children as young as 3 to 4 years old to adults in their 90s!

Orthodontic treatment is ideal for all ages. We also provide a number of different types of braces, because we want treatment to be convenient and accommodating for you at any age.

This is why we perform a complimentary exam! During your free orthodontic exam with Dr. Insoft or Dr. Hurst, we’ll thoroughly assess your condition (including complimentary X-rays and diagnostic photos) and discuss any orthodontic-related symptoms you may be experiencing. Through this assessment, we can determine whether you’re in need of orthodontic treatment.

In the meanwhile, here are some signs you can look out for to determine whether you need treatment:

  • You have crowding or spacing
  • You’re not confident in your smile
  • You have difficulty breathing, or you mouth-breathe often
  • You have difficulty sleeping
  • You feel pain when opening or closing your mouth
  • Your jaw pops or clicks when opening your mouth
  • Your teeth overlap
  • Your top teeth overlap your bottom teeth
  • Your bottom teeth overlap your top teeth
  • You experience persistent soreness in your teeth or gums

We’re here to answer your questions, and we want you to know your options! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time. We want what’s best for you and your child’s smile, and we believe patient education is essential for helping you achieve the greatest results.

Dr. Insoft, Dr. Hurst and our experienced team are here to help guide you throughout your treatment process, from your first visit to your last visit.

Ready to begin your smile transformation process? Let’s get started with your complimentary exam at one of our convenient Seminole or St. Petersburg locations!