Medicaid Orthodontics in Illinois

Medicaid Orthodontics (Braces) – Straightening Your Children’s Smile and Improving Their Bite

What types of orthodontic braces are available on Medicaid?

While metal braces are the gold standard in orthodontic treatment, they are by no means the only option to straighten your teeth.

Today’s orthodontics or “braces”, as they are commonly referred to, are lightweight, comfortable to wear, and can be worn for a shorter period of time in many cases. There are options that are practically invisible, with clear braces becoming more and more popular. Many people think that dental braces are only for children or teenagers, but actually, more and more adults are turning to them to straighten their teeth.

Metal Braces

Stainless Steel (Metal) Braces are the most popular type of braces due mainly to their rugged functionality and manageable cost. They involve attaching small metal brackets to each tooth with a special type of cement. All of the brackets are then wired together and your dentist will make adjustments every few weeks to slowly ease the teeth into proper alignment. A typical course of treatment with metal braces can last up to two years.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces also require the attachment attaching larger brackets to each tooth, although they are almost clear and therefore less noticeable. Some patients prefer ceramic braces simply because they’re less visible, however the larger, less durable brackets do have a greater risk for damage and predisposing the patient to hygiene problems. People with ceramic braces must be very diligent and committed to maintaining a strict brushing and flossing routine.

Clear Braces

Minor orthodontic issues can sometimes be corrected with Clear or Invisible Braces, which are basically transparent plastic aligners that are worn for up to 19 hours a day. Invisible braces are worn for two weeks, at which time you receive a new set of aligners. Each aligner set is slightly different and designed to impose gradual “shifts” to your teeth.

These clear aligners are normally held in place by tiny white “buttons” that your dentist will attach to your teeth. These buttons are colored to match your teeth and are virtually unnoticeable. Clear aligners or invisible braces must be removed in order to eat or drink. A typical course of treatment with clear braces or invisible aligners can last anywhere between 6 moths and two years.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are similar to metal braces, except for the fact that they attach to the back of your teeth instead as opposed to the front. Since lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth they are almost impossible to see when you smile. Installing braces behind your teeth takes additional time and expertise as compared with other types of orthodontics. Lingual braces are a viable option for athletes, models, actors, actresses, musicians, and adult entertainers where traditional braces may cause a disruption to their lifestyle.

Medicaid Braces for Kids – Frenos Con Tarjeta Medica

If you are considering orthodontic treatment with braces for your child, it is important to understand that the dentist or orthodontist needs to properly address any dental health issues they may have, and take into consideration both aesthetic and practical concerns at the same time. This means that not only should children’s braces leave them with a perfectly straight and beautiful smile at the conclusion of the treatment, but that the braces themselves should not interfere with the way your child eats, speaks or socially interacts with their peers.

When Should Children Begin Orthodontic Treatment?

When considering orthodontic treatment with braces for kids with Medicaid coverage in Illinois, there are some special concerns that every parent should be aware of. Here are a few things to keep in mind about children’s medicaid braces or any orthodontic treatment you may be considering:

Orthodontics Checkup by Age 7 – If you want to ensure that your child will have the best smile possible as an adult, you need to make sure their teeth and jaws are aligned properly and that they have a healthy bite as early as possible. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, having a checkup by age 7 will enable your dentist to spot emerging problems that may require orthodontic treatment with braces to correct.

Early and Optimal Treatment Times – Some dental health conditions are best addressed while the mouth, teeth and jaw are still developing and early diagnosis can make treatment quicker, easier, and in some cases significantly less expensive. Orthodontic treatment with braces for children is an excellent example of this. Braces can be applied between the ages of 9 and 14, but exactly when depends on the individual child, their particular circumstances and level of physical development.

Benefits of Braces for Kids – Orthodontic treatment with braces in children has a number of significant benefits, both cosmetic and physical. Not only will your child have a beautiful smile at the completion of treatment, but they will also have a structurally sound bite along with an increased level of self-esteem.

Is Orthodontic treatment with braces right for my child?

When determining if orthodontics or braces are a viable solution for your child’s dental health needs, the first step is to consult with an approved Illinois Medicaid orthodontist or dentist and see which of the treatment options would be best for your child. The right orthodontic treatment will often depend on a variety of factors, including what is causing the malocclusion in the first place, how extensive it is, and the age of the patient.  In some cases, a simple retainer worn at night will be the extent of the treatment, while others will need a more extensive treatment program.

Did you know that Medicaid Orthodontic Treatment with Braces can help:

If left untreated, Orthodontic problems may worsen over time. They may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, destruction of the bone that holds your teeth in place as well as chewing and digestive difficulties. Orthodontic problems can cause; abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth – sometimes leading to chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck.

Your Children May Be Eligible for Orthodontic Treatment with Braces if they are Covered by Public Aid, Medicaid, All Kids, Tarjeta Medica or the Medical Card in Illinois

If you are considering orthodontic treatment with braces for your child and they are currently covered by Public Aid, Medicaid, All Kids, Tarjeta Medica or the Medical Card in Illinois, we can help. Dr. Gustav Kozina and Dr. Timothy Theobald are licensed providers of General Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Restorative Dentistry and Orthodontic treatment with braces and accept most dental insurance plans including Medicaid, Public Aid, Medical Card, Tarjeta Medica and All Kids in Illinois.

Unlike some providers, Den-Care Smile Center does not limit the number of Public Aid, Medicaid or All Kids patients that we see. We do our best to accept every patient with Public Aid dental coverage and provide you with the quality care you expect and deserve.

Den-Care Smile Center treats patients from across the State of Illinois including Lake County, Cook County, Dupage County and McHenry County as well as the communities of Antioch, Arlington Heights, Beach Park, Chicago, Cook County, Des Plaines, DuPage County, Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Fox Lake, Gages Lake, Grayslake, Great Lakes, Gurnee, Hainsville, Highwood, Island Lake, Johnsburg, Lake Bluff, Lake County, Lake Forest, Lake Villa, Lake Zurich, Lakemoor, Libertyville, Lindenhurst, McHenry, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, North Chicago, Palatine, Park City, Rolling Meadows, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Schaumburg, Skokie, Spring Grove, Vernon Hills, Wadsworth, Waukegan, Wheeling, Winthrop Harbor and Zion.

For a complete list of cities, towns and counties that we serve, please visit our Illinois Medicaid Orthodontics Service Areas Page.

There is no cost to you for our FREE Illinois Medicaid Orthodontic (Braces) Consultation.

At MedicaidOrthodontics.net our primary goal is to provide you with the best orthodontic treatment with braces for children covered by the Medicaid (Medical Card, Public Aid, All Kids, Tarjeta Medica) in Illinois.