Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment involves using dental appliances, such as braces, to move teeth and/or jaws in order to create a healthy and attractive smile. At BU Dental, we treat both children and adults and often collaborate with other dental specialists, such as gum specialists or oral surgeons, to give our patients the best results at an affordable price.
Why choose BU Dental?
BU Dental’s orthodontic clinic is staffed by experienced providers with a wide range of special skills, which allows us to create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. As a teaching facility, we are at the leading edge of new developments in the field of orthodontics, such as 3D printing, and plan and carry out treatment using the latest technology and best techniques.
Overview
|
Provider Level:
Resident in Specialty Program |
Referral:
Not required |
Insurance/Payment:
MassHealth, Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Self-pay |
Phone:
617-358-8320 |
|
Floor:
7 |
| Request Appointment |
Services:
- Youth and adult orthodontics
- Invisalign (when appropriate)
- Tooth-colored or clear braces
- Early treatment for children, when necessary
- TMJ-TMD (jaw joint) therapy
- Multidisciplinary care for complex cases
- 3-D dental and facial imaging for accurate diagnosis
What to expect
As a new patient, you will go through a three-step process before beginning treatment.
1. Screening: At your first visit, you will meet with a resident to assess what kind of treatment is best for you, as well as what BU Dental can offer. This initial screening visit is free and will take about 30 minutes.
2. Records / X-Rays: At your second visit, we will take a complete set of diagnostic records, and a faculty member will work with your resident to formulate your treatment options. This visit will take about 1 hour.
3. Consultation/Planning: At your third visit, we will discuss with you these options and decide on a plan. This visit will take 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Then, we’ll make you an appointment to start your treatment. While treatment length will vary based on the individual needs of the patient, the average duration of a treatment plan is about 18-36 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do my braces break or become loose during treatment?
Don’t panic! If it’s during business hours, call TK to speak to a patient coordinator. Otherwise, call our after-hours phone number (555-555-5555) to speak with a member of our on-call staff to identify a solution to your problem.
What if I have an urgent treatment question after hours?
You can always reach someone by calling our after-hours number at 555-555-5555. The on-call staff member will work with you to identify a solution to your question.
Who will be providing my treatment?
Your primary provider will be a dentist who is pursuing advanced education in orthodontics, with the goal of becoming an orthodontist. They will be working under the close supervision of experienced orthodontic faculty.
Do I need to see other dentists at the dental school in order to get treatment from the Orthodontic clinic?
The dental school does offer a full range of treatment options, including comprehensive care. However, you are not required to be treated by other dental school providers in order to get your orthodontic treatment with us.
We do ask that you have a general dentist so that your dental health can be verified before orthodontic treatment begins, and so that you continue to get regular checkups and cleanings during treatment. If you do not have a general dentist, we will be happy to make a referral.
How old must a child be to start orthodontics?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be checked for bite problems by the age of seven. Depending on their bite problems, we often treat children who still have some baby teeth.
There is no charge for the screening visit, so this is an easy way to see if your child may need treatment now, or whether potential problems exist that can be monitored to prevent them from developing further.
Do you accept dental insurance?
We are in network with Delta Dental of Massachusetts and Blue Cross Blue Shield. If your insurance is out of network, you may still be treated in our orthodontic department and our staff can assist you with submitting a claim to your insurance to be reimbursed directly. For MassHealth/Medicaid patients under the age of 21, we will submit a prior authorization request for coverage on your behalf and notify you if your request for orthodontic coverage is approved.