Health

How Much Do Teeth Straightening Treatments Cost?

Published

6 months ago

April 5, 2023

When it comes to teeth straightening options, one of the most important aspects to consider is the cost. Despite all doing the same thing, straightening methods can vary greatly in price based on convenience and treatment difficulty. Here’s everything you need to know about how to straighten your teeth – especially when working on a budget.

Clear aligners

Aligners are one of the most adaptable teeth straightening options. Combining the straightening power of traditional braces with the needs of most, aligners can be undetectable, removable, and a gentler treatment option. After completing dental impressions, your doctor will create a series of aligner trays from a thin plastic that helps to slowly move the teeth. Aligners are best reserved for mild to moderate straightening needs, as they may not be able to address more complex cases.

How much do aligners cost?

Aligners are relatively affordable, though the price can vary greatly depending on the orthodontist used or the home kit. In general, pricing for aligners can range between $1,000 and $8,000 for the entire treatment process. This price usually includes adjustments, materials, and orthodontist appointments as needed.

Metal braces

Metal braces, also sometimes referred to as traditional braces, are a common treatment approach to straightening teeth. The method works by attaching metal brackets to the front of the teeth and looping a metal wire between the brackets to guide the teeth. The orthodontist will tighten the wire or replace it according to the needs of the individual.

How much do metal braces cost?

Metal braces can range anywhere between $3,000 to $7,000 – sometimes more. These costs are determined by the length of treatment needed and any complexities involved, such as bite misalignments and other factors.

Lingual braces

Similar to metal braces, lingual braces use metal to guide the teeth, but the braces are instead fixed behind the teeth. This means they’re not visible to outsiders, though you’ll certainly feel them with your tongue.

How much do lingual braces cost?

Lingual braces are one of the more expensive and potentially unattainable straightening options for many. All of the benefits, especially cosmetic-wise, come with a higher price tag than traditional braces. On average, the cost of lingual braces can begin at $8,000 to $10,000 and can go up from there!

Ceramic braces

Another commonly used teeth straightener is ceramic braces. Ceramic braces are essentially the same as metal braces, except they use ceramic brackets. This helps to make the braces less obvious and allows for straightening teeth without metal throughout the mouth. For those that don’t want to wear aligners but still want a less obvious option, ceramic braces may be a good option.

How much do ceramic braces cost?

Because ceramic braces are a touch more convenient for the patient, they can come at a higher price. Thankfully, it’s not a dramatic difference but one that is substantial enough to make you think twice before signing up. Generally, ceramic braces cost range between $4,000 and $8,000. That minimum is nearly a thousand more than the starting costs of traditional braces.

Health

What Interferes with Successful Breastfeeding?

Published

2 weeks ago

September 5, 2023

Michelle Langton

While breastfeeding is ideal, it comes with many difficulties new parents might face.

After experiencing the intensity of labor and delivery, many new parents are left exhausted. Despite this fatigue and surviving pospartum, new parents soon learn the importance of managing the needs of an infant. Putting aside their own desires, parents learn to quickly adapt.

Exhaustion and recovery are not the only things that discourage parents from breastfeeding. There are a variety of other woes that can make it difficult for a lactating parent to continue to choose this option.

While 83 percent of women breastfeed at the beginning of postpartum, there is a drastic reduction by 6 months, resulting in only 56% of babies still being breastfed.

Engorged Breasts

When a lactating woman’s milk comes in, she may experience intense pain and discomfort. The breasts typically become overly filled with milk because they have not yet regulated their supply. This engorgement can continue throughout the breastfeeding journey for a variety of reasons.

If the baby’s schedule changes, a woman’s breasts can become overly full. If the parent misses a feeding, breasts can experience discomfor which can lead to breastfeeding infection. If a woman becomes preoccupied at work and does not make time to pump, she can experience discomfort.

If breast engorgement is not treated properly, milk ducts can become blocked, and if a woman does not work to move the milk through her breasts (via feeding her baby, pumping, or expressing the milk), this engorgement can lead to further problems and may cause clogged milk ducts.

Infection

One of the biggest concerns beyond the pain a woman experiences with engorgement is infection. This is known as mastitis, and leads to a woman experiencing not only breast pain and warm breast tissue, but also flu-like symptoms that come with fever, chills, headache, and further exhaustion.

In order to help prevent infection, regular feedings are essential. Often, the best mastitis treatment, at least for early symptoms, is to massage the breast in a warm shower and express the extra milk.

Furthermore, by working with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), parents can have a great resource on how to best deal with, treat, and alleviate these problems.

Not only is an IBCLC a great resource in helping prevent breast infection, but a great source for your breastfeeding journey to encourage and educate you in best practices.

The best way to achieve breastfeeding success is to utilize the many tools that an IBCLC offers.

Burnout

To exclusively breastfeed your baby can be quite overwhelming and exhausting. Between nightly feedings, cluster feedings, and pumping sessions for working mothers, breastfeeding is difficult to maintain. Unless a woman is properly supported by her family, friends, and workplace, the chances that a woman will continue to breastfeed are significantly impacted.

Culture also impacts the likelihood of a baby being breastfed beyond 6 months. The CDC discovered that parents in the Southeast United States are less likely to breastfeed their children past six months. This was in contrast to the Northwest, where business policies and the culture is more breastfeeding-friendly and supportive.

Conclusion

Despite the nutritional benefits afforded to a breastfed baby, there are many obstacles that can be discouraging for parents on their breastfeeding journey. From exhaustion to pain to lack of supoort, parents have many reasons to give up.

To increase your chances of success, surround yourself with supportive individuals, reach out to an IBCLC, also known as lactation consultants, and gain the necessary tools required to provide your child with the healthiest option available – you!