FAQ
Have questions? We have answers!
We know you may have questions about orthodontics and periodontal care, and we're here to help! If you don’t find what you're looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re always happy to assist you.
Clinical FAQ - Orthodontics
It's recommended that an orthodontic evaluation be scheduled by age 7 to monitor growth and any early signs of alignment issues.
Treatment time varies depending on the type of treatment, but most people wear braces for 18 to 24 months. Clear aligners may take a similar amount of time, depending on the case.
While some discomfort is normal after adjustments, most patients find the process manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Typically, patients come in every 8 to 12 weeks for adjustments and progress checks.
Treatment may require some lifestyle adjustments, like avoiding certain foods, but we work to make the process as convenient as possible.
This depends on your case. Dr. Chong will assess your progress and determine if switching to clear aligners is feasible. Additional fees apply.
During the consultation, Dr. Chong will help you determine the best option based on your specific needs, whether it's traditional braces, clear aligners, or other specific appliances.
Brushing after every meal, flossing regularly, and using a water flosser are essential to keeping your braces and teeth clean.
Yes, but we recommend wearing a mouthguard during sports to protect your teeth and appliances.
We offer flexible financing options, including no-interest in-house plans, and accept most major PPO insurances.
Ceramic braces blend better with your natural teeth color, while metal braces are more durable and cost-effective. Both provide effective treatment.
Clear aligners are a series of removable trays that gradually move your teeth into alignment. They are less noticeable than traditional braces and can be removed for eating and cleaning.
Phase I treatment is designed for children around age 7 to address early orthopedic issues that will affect jaw and teeth development that can result in facial asymmetries and impede natural eruption of all permanent teeth.
Spark Aligners are clear, comfortable, and made with high-quality material that offers greater precision for faster results
Clinical FAQ - Periodontics
A frenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tissue that connects the upper lip or tongue to the gums to improve function, especially if a lip or tongue tie is causing speech or eating difficulties.
Gum grafting is a procedure to cover exposed tooth roots and protect them from further damage, often needed when gums have receded due to periodontal disease or aging
Crown lengthening is a surgery to expose more of the tooth, typically done to fix a "gummy" smile by creating a more harmonious contour of the gumline.
Periodontal treatment may be necessary if you have signs of gum disease, such as bleeding gums, bad breath, bone loss or gum recession. Regular checkups with your general dentist can help detect and prevent issues early.
TADs are small screws placed in the bone to help with tooth movement during orthodontic treatment, particularly in complex cases where traditional methods may not be enough.
Insurance FAQ - Orthodontics
The total case fee for your orthodontic treatment is submitted to your insurance company when treatment begins. The “banding date” is the date on which treatment officially begins; this is the day bands or brackets are placed on the teeth. Placing spacers or separators does not constitute treatment starting.
Insurance payments are paid to the orthodontic office either monthly, quarterly, or annually throughout the duration of active treatment. It is a rare exception that a one-time payment for the entire lifetime maximum is made initially.
During orthodontic treatment, if insurance coverage is interrupted for any reason, (i.e. a job change, your employer changes insurance companies, your coverage is dropped, or treatment ends) insurance payments stop. If an insurance change occurs during treatment, it is the patient’s responsibility to inform the office. A new insurance company will not know you are in orthodontic treatment. A new claim must be filed with the new insurance company because they won't pay if they don’t know about it.
When our office confirms orthodontic benefits, the insurance company is very clear that the benefit information we are given is an estimate and no guarantee of payment. In our orthodontic financial agreement, the insurance allowance we take assignment for is an “estimate.” We never know for sure how long or even if we will be paid until it actually happens. If for any reason the total insurance assignment is not paid as expected, it becomes the responsibility of the patient or responsible party. If the insurance company retains a portion of the benefit to cover your deductible, you will be responsible for reimbursing that deductible to our office.
Some insurance companies use orthodontic benefits to pay for procedures done at other providers' offices, especially oral surgery related procedures like wisdom teeth extractions. If a procedure from another provider's office is paid for with orthodontic benefits, you will be responsible for the difference not paid to our office by the insurance Company.
Some insurance plans have special clauses that prevent payout of the orthodontic benefit such as an age restriction, waiting time or non-duplication of benefits (see below for dual insurance). Some insurance companies also place a contingency of medical necessity on orthodontic claim payments. If your insurance company determines that your treatment is not medically necessary, you will be responsible for the estimated insurance portion.
Dual insurance coverage is not guaranteed. Some insurance companies place a non-duplication of benefits on orthodontic treatment, which means you will not receive benefits if another insurance carrier has paid out their estimated benefit.
Primary insurance processing takes approximately 6-8 weeks, after the date of placement or delivery of your appliance. For secondary insurance, processing times are approximately 12 weeks after the primary insurance has been completed. Please note these processing times are an estimate and can vary.
Insurance FAQ - Periodontics
Insurance claims for all surgeries are submitted on the date of service of the surgical procedure. Our office will submit your total surgical fee to all insurance plans which you are actively subscribed to on the date of service.
Since every insurance plan is different, we strongly encourage patients to call their insurance companies and verify “periodontic benefits” as well as any “deductibles, coverage limitations, annual caps” that may exist on their plan. We will be happy to provide you the ADA insurance code for the relevant procedure so you may provide this to your insurance company. Cosmetic related surgical procedures are typically not a covered benefit. Based on your benefit plan, insurance companies may cover a portion of your surgery if it is related to active gum disease.
No, a pre-authorization does not guarantee payment. Insurance companies reserve the right to modify any payouts as they deem necessary.
Once your claim has been submitted, it can take anywhere between 6-8 weeks for insurance companies to process and claim and mail you a physical check. Please ensure your address is updated with our office so the check is mailed to the correct location.