What to expect

In this orthodontic office we have an emphasis on airway, joints and proper oral function. During the initial orthodontic evaluation for each patient, we will take full orthodontic records to screen for TMJ or sleep disordered breathing concerns that may be related to you or your child’s facial growth pattern. We will determine if treatment is needed now or should be delayed. Referrals may be needed such as Ear, Nose and Throat or Myofunctional Therapy to aid in your child’s overall treatment plan. If orthodontic treatment is determined, we will discuss the course of treatment such as necessary appliances (such as braces, expanders, aligners), length of treatment and cost of treatment along with the payment options available.

Mouth Breathing in Children

Why an Orthodontist? from AAO

phase 1

Brazones_orthodontics_Phaseone_small Phase 1 orthodontic treatment is generally more ORTHOPEDIC in nature, meaning it is meant to help the jaws grow more normally to a more functional and esthetic position. Phase 1 involves expanders, partial braces when needed, space maintainers, facemask therapy for patients with under bites (lower jaw protrusion). Phase 1 is generally 8-14 months long and can set your child up to have enough room for all the teeth and rehabilitate the jaw to grow ideally. The goal of phase 1 is to capture the why of the malocclusion. Dr. Fry is a huge proponent of phase 1 care and provides for her patients what she does for her own children.

phase 2

Brazones_orthodontics_Teen_small Phase 2 is when a patient had early intervention and ideally is just final tooth alignment. Comprehensive care is for patients having their first round of orthodontics. Braces or aligners can be used for this phase pending the malocclusion presenting. In our office we do not charge more for aligners. We want you to choose the best modality for you/your child within your lifestyle and not the cheaper option because if the modality is not good for you, compliance will be a struggle. Comprehensive orthodontics and phase 2 orthodontics also may use other appliances such as expanders and holding arches in order to achieve the best result.

adult treatment

adult_small2_brazones Adult treatment is often similar to treatment done between 12-16 years old. Adults are no longer growing and this has to be taken into consideration, but many adults enjoy a great new smile with Aligners, Inbrace (lingual braces), or traditional braces. Our practice has a large population of adults in orthodontics. Don’t let your age keep you from changing your smile! Dr. Fry works very closely with dentists in the area who want you to do things in the right order to get the best smile possible.

tmj and botox

tmj_phases_brazones Dr. Fry holds a certificate in Orofacial Pain as well as Orthodontics. She is the only provider in Northern Michigan with a University granted degree for Orofacial Pain. She mainly manages muscular pain, joint degeneration/derangement and tension type headaches. She is very particular about her bitesplints/night guards and only she will do the adjustments. Beyond a bite splint or a night guard, Dr. Fry always will give you a plan on getting to the root cause of the pain and joint issues you are having and will help you on a journey to less pain, tension, and improved quality of life. Dr. Fry battled with TMJ issues when she was younger and understands how painful the headaches can be and the best ways to manage them. She is passionate about helping patients have less pain. In addition to creating a path to improved quality of life, Dr. Fry now offers Botox/Xeomin treatment for patients who need a way to break the clenching cycle more quickly. Botox, while needs to be done regularly is able to help change the muscle memory over time. Botox is a very quick procedure and overall quite painless.

surgery

Brazones_Orthodontics Jaw surgery is used when the jaws are a “mismatch” and cannot allow the teeth to line up ideally. MANY patients are jaw surgery candidates but unfortunately a small percentage go thru with the treatment due to cost and healing time. It is a beautiful thing to see someone’s facial balance change so quickly and have their teeth fit together ideally after surgery is complete. The sequence of jaw surgery and orthodontics is orthodontic alignment first, then surgery, then finishing of the braces. The better the teeth are positioned before surgery, the quicker the finishing is post-surgery. Jaw surgery can also help with obstructive sleep apnea, and most patients needing jaw surgery are likely on the spectrum of sleep disordered breathing.

Types of Braces

Today, patients now have more options when it comes to wearing braces. Regular metal braces are still widely used, clear braces are becoming increasingly popular along with removable appliances that can be used for mild cases of misaligned teeth. Take a look below to learn more about these options at our office.

Clear Brackets

Ceramic braces are made of translucent (clear) material. They are most popular with adult patients, due to their cosmetic appeal.

Metal Brackets

Metal self-ligating (no colored elastic ties) brackets and conventional metal brackets with your choice of colored elastic ties.

InBrace

InBrace is a personalized behind-the-teeth, teeth straightener - that's completely hidden. Click here for more information!

Invisalign

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GET TO KNOW INVISALIGN®

Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist or orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete.

We are proud to announce that we are an Invisalign Premier Provider!

Clear Aligner/Invisalign Therapy

Clear aligners, widely known as Invisalign are another type of treatment used to align teeth to an aesthetic and functional position. They are worn in 1-2 week increments and must be worn 22 hours a day for tooth movement. They are a nice alternative to braces if aesthetics are a concern with traditional braces. To begin treatment a 3-D image of the teeth is taken in the office and then a treatment plan is developed by the doctor. The aligner company creates a sequence of aligners to complete the desired tooth movement. The next visit at the office will consist of attachment (tooth colored buttons) placement on the teeth to help facilitate tooth movement. After that, aligners are switched out according to Dr. Fry’s plan and periodic visits are made to check that teeth are moving as desired and to determine when treatment is complete. There are many different brands of Aligner Therapy and is not just limited to Invisalign. We offer a variety of different aligner systems that allows us to tailor to the patient’s specific needs; saving time and money. If you are interested in knowing if you are a candidate for clear aligners – call our office for an exam to discuss your options.

HAAS Expanders

An expander is commonly used to create more arch width and length that has been lost with a growth or development issue. Also commonly used to correct a crossbite.

We will show you how to use the key to apply the needed forces to the teeth and walls of the palate. Most people feel pressure in the area of the teeth and tingling around the nose after a turn.

This sensation typically dissipates in 5 minutes. Avoidance of chewy, sticky foods will be necessary to keep the bands in place. Call us right away if you discover a loose band.

3-Dimensional Imaging

Our office offers 3-Dimensional imaging which allows us to analyze the airway, the TMJ’s and impacted teeth in all directions. Our system is brand new and offers more information with lower radiation. We send all 3-Dimensional images to an Oral Radiologist to be read for pathology. The 3-D imaging gives Dr. Fry the ability to diagnose more fully at your exam appointment without the need for referrals to another office to acquire this image saving you both time and money!

3D scanning and printing

This office has the latest in orthodontic technology to save you time and trips to our office. With a simple scan of your teeth, we are able to make any appliance you may need. This technology allows us to make some appliances in office instead of sending to the lab which saves time and money!

Financial Information

Our office is not a participating provider for insurance, however, we do help you receive your orthodontic benefit. We will aid in filing with your insurance company and send in the necessary codes for you to utilize your insurance benefit. We do have the ability to bill medical insurance for TMJ treatments as well to help cover the cost of treatment. For financing treatments we offer 0% interest payment plans and discounts for paid in full contract. Additionally we utilize OrthoBanc for automatic drafting of payments from your checking or credit card for your convenience. You can also make payments directly thru OrthoBanc online!

OUR REWARDS PROGRAM

A token of our appreciation!

We would like to offer you some perks along your orthodontic journey — to not only brighten your visits to our office but also to encourage you to get your braces removed and to complete your treatment on time!

We are calling this our Patient Reward program, developed in appreciation for our patients who strive to do their very best to keep their teeth clean, keep and attend their appointments in a timely way, and to take care of their orthodontic appliances and braces.