Can you Use Flexible Spending Accounts for Orthodontics?

FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSA (Health Saving Accounts) are tax-favored programs offered by employers, which allow their employees to pay for eligible, out-of pocket heath care expenses.   As with insurance policies, HSA and FSA are very variable in their coverage and enrollment criteria but orthodontic expenses are often covered by these plans.  Once you have verified your eligibility to use your HSA/FSA for orthodontic treatment, we will gladly configure financial arrangements for the best use of your benefits. We are committed to excellence in customer service, and maximizing insurance, FSA or HSA benefits is one way we can assist our patients.

Most of these plans have an enrollment period each year, and if you are considering orthodontics, an orthodontic evaluation can help you plan  your annual contribution amount. Our InitialConsultation Appointment is always complementary, as a courtesy to you and your dentist. Please call our office to schedule an appointment, so that we can discuss your orthodontic needs and prepare a financial proposal tailored to your individual requirements, including how to best work with your tax favored program.    

There is additional information on the web to better help you understand these programs. (https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/SummaryOfBenefits.asp#WhatIsFSA) We have found that the benefits can vary from year to year, so staying up to date on the benefits is important.

We look forward to providing a Complimentary Initial Orthodontic Evaluation for you soon! Please call our office at 206-285-7755 to schedule a convenient appointment or send an email request to queenanneortho@gmail.com. 

Volunteering in the Community

Dr. Teja and her staff enjoy going into the community and volunteering on a regular basis. They were delighted to be  helping in a 5th grade class at St. Anne’s School in Queen Anne this year. Dr. Teja has been taking her staff to St. Anne's School for over 5 years.

What is your favorite thing about volunteering with the kids?

Shawn:

Quite often we were working with the students on their stories. It was such a pleasure to hear about what they had written.

To see the kids progress on different projects, like learning the state capitols was also a highlight for me this year.

Sherrie: 

I loved seeing our patient’s in the hallways at St. Anne’s. The smiles that we receive from everyone is just another confirmation that we are making a positive impact in our community.

Dr. Teja:

Interacting with the children is a joy. I enjoy it in my practice and really appreciate it when I am in the classroom. I have always volunteered and I know that my staff gets great satisfaction out of tutoring the children.  I am glad that I am able to provide the community support financially and though our hours. Being a part of the Queen Anne Community and being able to give back is very rewarding.  There is always a funny story, or wonderful moment when you are volunteering with children. 

Is it OK, to go to a dentist to get my braces?

While we highly encourage regular dental visits for  cleanings, fillings and other procedures, we can not recommend  going to a general dentist to get any type of braces, including Invisalign. Because all orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of postgraduate education to become a specialist, we believe your treatment will be best managed by a trained expert. For example, just as you would not go to your regular doctor to get a knee replacement, so you should not engage the services of a non-specialist dental professional for your orthodontic needs.

Regular dental care is vital to maintaining a healthy dentition(bite) and oral environment, but when movement of teeth and management of dento-facial growth is needed,  the expertise of an orthodontic specialist should be the ONLY choice. 

Queen Anne Orthodontics U-Tube Channel

We really want to thank our patients! We love helping create beautiful smiles, but the best part of our job is working with such wonderful patients. 

We are creating a U-Tube Channel for our office. We will feature video testimonials, "How To" videos, and introductory videos about our office.
We have been having fun fiming and listening to our patients.


Our first Video Testimonial is from a patient who is in treatment with Invisalign.

Please let us know what you think!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldVkmir-9FM

Orthodontic Evaluation at age 7? Isn't that a bit early?

We do get people questioning the idea that they should bring their child into our office by age 7 for an orthodontic evaluation. It might seem early but please read below as to why it is important.

By the age of 7, the first adult molars erupt, establishing the back bite. During this time, an orthodontist can evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. For example, the position of erupting incisors can indicate possible overbite, open bite, crowding or gummy smiles. Timely screening increases the chances for an incredible smile and helps prevent problems if certain teeth are not erupting correctly. For some people, this initial visit will not result in any action, but for some, this visit will be well worth their time.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7.  At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment, and prevent complex malocclusions from developing.

Malocclusions is a term that orthodontists used to describe a persons bite that has misalignment of teeth or incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches.

Our initial evaluation, is always complimentary. We think that each patient deserves to have their questions answered, and meet our team before making the decision on whom to trust with their smiles.

Do some orthodontic patients see their dentist’s more than twice a year for cleanings?

Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist or hygienist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.

 In spite of trying hard to maintain good oral care, some patients need to schedule more frequent hygiene visits (3 or 4 monthly), to control inflammation and disease. There may also be a medical indication for more frequent hygiene visits, for example, patients with some heart conditions or those who have internal prosthetic devices, require more frequent hygiene visits, in order to control bacterial levels in the bloodstream.

Ultimately, visiting the dentist more often while in braces may prove benefitical but there will be an additional cost, so that has to be taken into consideration.

Maintaining good oral hygiene, anytime, is important but while in braces, added attention must be payed to keeping your teeth clean. Brushing, flossing, and using a mouth rinse all aid in good oral hygiene!

A few questions about Invisalign Teen get answered

Is there a difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen?
 Invisalign Teen is designed to work with the developing dentition and has special features for accommodating partially or unerupted permanent teeth. There is also a hidden feature that helps assess compliance with wear!!

Does Invisalign Teen work for every teenager?
Invisalign Teen is one of many options for orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist can let you know if Invisalign Teen will work for your specific case. Some people are not good canidates for Invisalign or Invisalign Teen and Dr. Teja will go over all of your treatment options at the first visit, the Initial Consultation Appointment.
Also parents and teenagers, need to consider their specific child. It does take a level of maturity to remember to wear your aligners, and to change them out on a regular basis. But the rewards are there are no brackets or wires, and it makes brushing and flossing easier. Plus, the aligners can be taken out periodically, for special occasions, like senior pictures, proms, or dates.
Call or email if you ever have any questions on Invisalign or any orthodontic problem! We are here to help! 206-285-7755