The Cost of Orthodontic Treatment

Dollars and Sense

The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and the down payment options before treatment begins.

We have orthodontic treatment payment plans to suit different budgets, including a no-down-payment option for those who decide to finance treatment through Capital One.

We provide a patient payment option with no interest and, for our patient's convenience, we accept all major credit cards.

Our office goal is to help each patient and family reach the goal that they have for orthodontic treatment and to have that treatment fit within their budget.

Why Is It So Important To Have Straight Teeth?

Why Is It So Important To Have Straight Teeth?

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to decay – and because they are easier to keep clean. Plaque can lead to cavities and can increase the risk of gum disease.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at 863-644-0430 to set up a consultation. Dr. Hilliard can help you decide whether you could benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Everybody Benefits from Braces!

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

From the minute you call us, you will notice a difference!

You've dreamed of having a beautiful smile. This is a goal that can be approached with fear and hesitation...but it doesn't need to be! At Dr. Hilliard’s office, your orthodontic treatment is about much more than straightening your teeth with braces. You expect great results and we get them because each patient’s treatment is individually planned to meet your needs.

We welcome you to come in for a consultation to review your options for creating your beautiful new smile. Dr. Hilliard's team takes great care to make sure that you are comfortable and that we explain each step of the process completely. We pride ourselves on being friendly and knowledgeable and we work hard to make sure that your visit a pleasant one. Our sole responsibility is to assist you with whatever appointment, payment or insurance needs you may have.

We invite you to visit us and see for yourself how great your orthodontic experience can be!

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in, or what we call a “severe malocclusion” (the orthodontic word for “bad bite” which means the jaws don’t fit together correctly).

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch any early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit our office even sooner.

Types of Braces Part 1

If you're thinking about getting braces in Lakeland, Florida, you probably want to know more about your options. For my next few blog posts, I plan on thoroughly explaining your options to help future patients better understand what orthodontics is all about. To begin, the following excerpt from my web site shows two types of braces for the traditional patient, and the not so traditional:

Metal Braces

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.

Gold Braces

Gold braces are similar to traditional metal braces in many ways. They are made of stainless steel, but are uniquely coated in gold. The gold coating may be considered a more cosmetic option than traditional metal braces. And, the cost of gold braces is surprisingly comparable to most clear braces.

Patients' responses to our practice!

At our office, Dr. Keith Hilliard and talented staff take pride in having happy patients. Here are a few quotes from patients about our office in Lakeland.

"The nurses or ladies that work there and Dr. Hilliard are very nice and friendly! They will explain everything to you and help you know certain things like where and how to wear your rubber bands and so many others things! They are so great and I like coming to the orthidontist because I know I will be treated and cared for right." - Arthur

"Patient care/service. I went to Dr. Hilliard for my braces as a young adult and never had any problems or complaints. I was always impressed that every time I went he knew exactly what had changed with my teeth from the last visit. I also appreciate the professionalism of all his staff. Now I'm taking my oldest son to him and my youngest is looking forward to his turn." - Jeff

"I like that Dr. Hilliard is a perfectionist. I am a big perfectionist as well, and little things bother me easy, so I'm glad that Dr. Hilliard makes sure that my teeth will turn out as perfect as they can. =)" - Angela

"His dental knowledge and willingness to listen and answer questions without irritation was very impressive. We also liked his approach that there is always more than one way to fix teeth. He worked with us making sure to listen to our concerns and was willing to make the necessary changes to make my son comfortable with himself. He's wonderful and I have already referred a few of my close friends to him." - Steve

"How friendly the staff was when I called and how quickly they got my daughter in for an appointment." - Amy

"Loved the friendliness of the Staff and Doctor. The kindness began right from the start when I called to inquire information. We were extremely pleased. My children loved the video games in the office, great concept!" - Kim

"Clean office environment...friendly staff...my daughter feels comfortable and that makes me happy." - Michelle

Come on over to 330 E. Highland Dr and see why Dr. Hilliard and his staff are making so many people in Flordia smile! Our orthodontic practice serves many neighboring cities like Fountain Heights, Eaton Park, Tancrede, Crystal Lake, Highland city, and many others!

Call today (863) 644-0430 or for more information check out our website.