We accept all insurances, including Medicaid and Medicare, Call to ask about your no-cost appointment
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We accept all insurances, including Medicaid and Medicare, Call to ask about your no-cost appointment
We Speak:
Traditional braces in Chicago provide reliable orthodontic care for children and adults, using proven techniques to create healthy, beautifully aligned smiles.
Straightening your teeth shouldn’t mean sacrificing your budget or waiting months for an appointment. Many Chicago families struggle to find orthodontic care that accepts their insurance, leaving them with limited options for achieving healthier smiles. When financial barriers stand between you and the treatment you need, the search for accessible orthodontic solutions becomes even more challenging.
Founded by Jason Korkus, DDS, Sonrisa Family Dental provides comprehensive orthodontic services across multiple Chicago locations, with a commitment to making traditional braces accessible to everyone. We accept Medicaid and Medicare for orthodontic treatment, along with most major PPO insurance plans, ensuring that quality care remains within reach for families throughout the city.
Traditional braces use metal brackets bonded to each tooth, connected by an archwire that applies gentle, continuous pressure to gradually shift teeth into their proper positions. Over the course of treatment, which typically ranges from 18 to 36 months, your orthodontist makes periodic adjustments to the wire tension, guiding your teeth through controlled movement. This time-tested method effectively corrects a wide range of orthodontic issues, from crowding and spacing problems to bite misalignment and jaw positioning concerns.
The brackets and wires work together as a precision system, with elastic bands often added to provide additional force for specific tooth movements. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, traditional braces remain one of the most effective treatment options for complex orthodontic cases that require significant tooth movement or rotation. Modern advances in bracket design have made today’s braces smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than ever before, reducing both treatment time and discomfort for patients.
Traditional braces deliver reliable results for even the most challenging orthodontic cases, including severe crowding, significant bite problems, and complex tooth rotations that other treatment methods cannot adequately address. The fixed nature of the appliance means you cannot remove it, eliminating the compliance issues that sometimes occur with removable aligners and ensuring consistent progress throughout your treatment.
Metal braces also offer versatility in treatment planning. Your orthodontist can make precise adjustments at each appointment, fine-tuning the forces applied to individual teeth and responding to how your teeth are moving in real time. This level of control allows for comprehensive treatment of multiple orthodontic issues simultaneously, from correcting your bite to aligning your teeth and improving overall facial balance.
For adult patients considering braces, traditional metal brackets provide a cost-effective solution that works efficiently regardless of age. Adults often have more complex orthodontic needs due to years of wear on their teeth, previous dental work, or bone density changes, making the strength and precision of traditional braces particularly valuable.
Your orthodontic journey begins with a comprehensive consultation where we evaluate your bite, take X-rays, and create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. During the initial bonding appointment, we carefully attach brackets to your teeth using a special adhesive, then thread the archwire through each bracket and secure it in place. This process typically takes one to two hours and causes minimal discomfort.
You’ll visit our office approximately every four to eight weeks for adjustment appointments, where we tighten the archwire, replace elastic bands, and monitor your progress. Understanding how braces and aligners work helps you recognize that some tenderness is normal after adjustments as your teeth respond to the new pressure, but this discomfort usually subsides within a few days. Throughout treatment, maintaining excellent oral hygiene becomes crucial, as brackets and wires can trap food particles and make cleaning more challenging.
The duration of your treatment depends on the complexity of your orthodontic issues, your age, and how consistently you follow care instructions. Most patients wear braces for 18 to 30 months, though some cases may require shorter or longer timeframes. The stages of orthodontic treatment progress through distinct phases, beginning with alignment of individual teeth, then leveling of your bite, followed by space closure if extractions were necessary, and finally finishing touches to perfect your smile.
During the active treatment phase, your orthodontist strategically adjusts wire thickness and tension, gradually increasing the force applied as your teeth become more aligned. The final months of treatment focus on detailing, ensuring each tooth sits in its ideal position and your bite functions properly. Following braces removal, you’ll transition to retainers, which are essential for maintaining your newly aligned smile and preventing teeth from shifting back toward their original positions.
Explore the true stories and journeys of several Invisalign® patients
Sonrisa Family Dental accepts Medicaid and Medicare for orthodontic services, providing essential access to care for families who might otherwise face financial barriers to treatment. We also work with most major PPO insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, United Healthcare, and United Concordia. Our experienced staff helps you understand your coverage and maximize your benefits, ensuring you receive the full value of your insurance plan.
For patients without insurance coverage, we offer flexible payment options through CareCredit and Sunbit, both of which provide financing specifically designed for healthcare expenses. Additionally, our Open Dental Discount Membership program creates an affordable pathway to orthodontic care with no hidden fees or deductibles. This membership allows you to craft a plan that fits your family’s needs and budget, whether you’re seeking treatment for one person or multiple family members.
Successful orthodontic treatment requires diligent daily care and attention to your oral hygiene routine. Brush after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush, angling the bristles toward the gum line and carefully cleaning around each bracket. Flossing becomes more challenging with braces, but using a floss threader or orthodontic flosser helps you clean between teeth and under the archwire, preventing decay and maintaining healthy gums throughout treatment.
Certain foods can damage brackets or bend wires, potentially extending your treatment time. Avoid hard foods like ice, nuts, and hard candy, along with sticky substances like caramel and chewing gum that can pull brackets off your teeth. Cut corn off the cob, slice apples into small pieces, and choose softer alternatives when possible. Following these guidelines protects your braces and keeps your treatment progressing on schedule.
At Sonrisa Family Dental, our dedicated team of dental professionals is committed to providing exceptional care for every member of your family. Founded by Dr. Jason Korkus, DDS, our practice brings together dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and caring support staff who share a passion for creating healthy, beautiful smiles.
Our bilingual team members fluently serve Chicago’s diverse communities in both English and Spanish, ensuring every patient feels comfortable and informed. With an orthodontist, general dentists, and oral surgeons across our multiple locations, we provide comprehensive dental care under one trusted practice family.
We believe in building lasting relationships with our patients, taking time to learn about your unique needs and goals. Our team regularly participates in continuing education to stay current with the latest dental techniques and technologies, ensuring you receive the most advanced care available.
Achieving a healthier, more confident smile becomes possible when you partner with a practice that prioritizes accessibility and comprehensive care. Dr. Jason Korkus and the team at Sonrisa Family Dental combine years of orthodontic experience with a genuine commitment to serving Chicago families, regardless of their insurance coverage or financial situation. Our multiple locations throughout the city make it convenient to receive consistent care close to home.
Whether you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or a family member, our team provides personalized attention and customized treatment plans designed to address your unique needs. From your initial consultation through the day your braces come off, we guide you through each step of the process with clear communication and compassionate support. Contact our office today to schedule your orthodontic consultation and take the first step toward the smile you’ve always wanted.
