Straightening Your Child’s Smile & Improving Their Bite with  Braces

A common specialty of dentistry, orthodontics is the study and treatment of improper bites, or malocclusions. There can be a variety of reasons why this treatment is necessary, including teeth that grow in an un-natural or crooked manner, jaw alignments that aren’t proportional, or any number of other irregularities in the mouth.

One of the most common questions that new patients as us is “Does the Medical Card Cover Braces for Kids in Illinois?”

The Medical Card, also known as Public Aid, Medicaid, All Kids and Tarjeta Medica, is a form of government assisted health care available to low-income families and individuals in Illinois. Children of low income families residing in all Illinois counties including Cook County, Dupage County, McHenry County and Lake County may qualify for orthodontic treatment with braces coverage under this state funded dental insurance program.

Finding an approved provider that accepts coverage for braces in Illinois can be a challenge. Many dentists and orthodontists limit the number of Medical Card patients that they will see or, in some cases, limit the types of services they offer to children covered on the Illinois Medicaid.

That’s not the case at Den-Care Smile Center.

Orthodontic treatment with braces is available in many cases, but not all and the coverage requirements vary, depending on the age of the individual and the type of dental care required. In general, individuals between the age of 5 and 21 who are Illinois residents, under the age of 21, that have Medicaid coverage are entitled to certain dental services that are considered “orthodontics”. Not all kids covered under the state Medical Card insurance program will qualify for orthodontic treatment with braces. State of Illinois Medicaid administrators must pre-approve all children for braces coverage before orthodontic treatment can begin.

We have an experienced team of dentists and support personnel and provide orthodontic treatment with braces for children covered under Public Aid, Medicaid and All Kids in Illinois.

What types of orthodontic braces are available?

Metal braces are the gold standard in orthodontic treatment, but they are by no means the only option to straighten your teeth.

Today’s orthodontics or “braces”, as they are commonly referred to, are lightweight, comfortable to wear, and can be worn for a shorter period of time in many cases. There are options that are practically invisible, with clear braces becoming more and more popular. Many people think that dental braces are only for children or teenagers, but actually, more and more adults are turning to them to straighten their teeth.

Medical Card Braces for Kids – Frenos Con Tarjeta Medica

When considering orthodontics for your child, it is important to understand that children’s braces need to holistically address any dental issues they may have, and deal with both aesthetic and practical concerns at the same time. This means that not only should children’s braces leave them with a perfectly straight and beautiful smile at the conclusion of the treatment, but that the braces themselves should not interfere with the way your child eats, speaks or socially interacts with their peers.

When Should Children Begin Orthodontic Treatment?

When considering orthodontic treatment with braces for kids with Medical Card coverage in Illinois, there are some special concerns that every parent should be aware of. Here are a few things to keep in mind about children’s medicaid braces or any orthodontic treatment you may be considering:

Orthodontics Checkup by Age 7 – If you want to ensure that your child will have the best smile possible as an adult, you need to make sure their teeth and jaws are aligned properly and that they have a healthy bite as early as possible. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, having a checkup by age 7 will enable your dentist to spot emerging problems that may require orthodontic treatment with braces to correct.

Early and Optimal Treatment Times – Some dental health conditions are best addressed while the mouth, teeth and jaw are still developing and early diagnosis can make treatment quicker, easier, and in some cases significantly less expensive. Orthodontic treatment with braces for children is an excellent example of this. Braces can be applied between the ages of 9 and 14, but exactly when depends on the individual child, their particular circumstances and level of physical development.

Benefits of Braces for Kids – Orthodontic treatment with braces in children has a number of significant benefits, both cosmetic and physical. Not only will your child have a beautiful smile at the completion of treatment, but they will also have a structurally sound bite along with an increased level of self-esteem.

Is Orthodontic treatment with braces right for my child?

The first step towards determining if orthodontics or braces are a viable solution for your child’s dental health needs is to consult with an approved Illinois Medical Card orthodontist or dentist and see which of the treatment options would work best for your child. The right orthodontic treatment will often depend on a variety of factors, including what is causing the malocclusion in the first place, how extensive it is, and the age of the patient. In some cases, a simple retainer worn at night will be the extent of the treatment, while others will need a more extensive treatment program.

Medical Card Orthodontic Treatment with Braces can help:

If left untreated, Orthodontic problems may worsen over time. They may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, destruction of the bone that holds your teeth in place as well as chewing and digestive difficulties. Orthodontic problems can cause; abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth – sometimes leading to chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck.

Your Children May Be Eligible for Orthodontic Treatment with Braces if they are Covered by Public Aid, Medicaid, All Kids, Tarjeta Medica or the Medical Card in Illinois

If you are thinking about orthodontic treatment with braces for your child and they are currently covered by Public Aid, Medicaid, All Kids, Tarjeta Medica or the Medical Card in Illinois, we can help.  Dr. Gustav Kozina and Dr. Timothy Theobald are licensed providers of General Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Restorative Dentistry and Orthodontic treatment with braces and accept most dental insurance plans including Medicaid, Public Aid, Medical Card, Tarjeta Medica and All Kids in Illinois.

Den-Care Smile Center treats patients from Northern Illinois including Lake County, Cook County, Dupage County and McHenry County as well as the communities of Antioch, Arlington Heights, Beach Park, Chicago, Cook County, Des Plaines, DuPage County, Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Fox Lake, Gages Lake, Grayslake, Great Lakes, Gurnee, Hainsville, Highwood, Island Lake, Johnsburg, Lake Bluff, Lake County, Lake Forest, Lake Villa, Lake Zurich, Lakemoor, Libertyville, Lindenhurst, McHenry, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, North Chicago, Palatine, Park City, Rolling Meadows, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Schaumburg, Skokie, Spring Grove, Vernon Hills, Wadsworth, Waukegan, Wheeling, Winthrop Harbor and Zion.

For a complete list of Illinois cities, towns and counties where we provide orthodontic treatment with braces for children on Medicaid in Illinois, please visit our Service Areas page.

Den-Care Smile Center believes everyone deserves a beautiful, healthy smile. We understand that affordability is a very important consideration and that’s why we strive to keep our fees as low as possible while preserving the quality service you expect.