With braces you can eat most soft and tender foods, such as pasta, eggs, yogurt, cooked vegetables, soft fruit, fish and tender meats. Avoid anything hard, sticky or chewy, like nuts, popcorn, hard candy, caramel and gum, because it can break brackets or bend wires. Food is one of the
Getting braces put on usually does not require numbing shots. Brackets are glued to the outside of your teeth, so nothing is drilled or cut. Placement feels like pressure and jaw fatigue; most soreness starts a few hours later as teeth begin to move. If you or your child has
A free orthodontic consultation is a no-cost first visit where the orthodontist examines your teeth and bite, takes a digital scan, explains whether you need treatment now or later, and reviews your options, timeline and payment choices before you commit. At Hansen Orthodontics we offer free consultations to every new
Most families in Wichita pay for braces with a down payment plus low monthly payments spread across treatment, using dental insurance and any HSA or FSA dollars on top. You can see real monthly numbers for your case before you ever come in. Cost is the first question almost everyone
Yes — anyone playing a contact sport in braces needs a mouthguard, and it should be one made to fit over brackets. A standard boil-and-bite guard is molded to bare teeth, so it fits poorly over braces and can even pull brackets loose. Between football, wrestling, basketball and soccer seasons
Clear braces use ceramic brackets that blend with your enamel instead of showing as silver. They move teeth exactly the way metal braces do and handle the same range of cases — they are just less visible, easier to chip, and a little more expensive. Patients ask about them constantly
Traditional metal braces typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000, making them the most affordable option for orthodontic care. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, your exact cost depends on case complexity, treatment length, geographic location, and insurance coverage. At Hansen Orthodontics, affordable monthly payments break this down to manageable
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign Compared to Traditional Braces? The main benefits of Invisalign compared to traditional braces include a nearly invisible appearance, no food restrictions, easier oral hygiene, and greater comfort during treatment. Both straighten teeth well, but they work in different ways and offer distinct advantages. The
Adult Orthodontics: It’s Never Too Late to Straighten Your Smile If you’ve been wondering whether you missed your chance for a straighter smile, here’s the truth: it’s almost never too late to get braces as an adult. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and the biological process that
