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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 23 Join us for the live conversation on Stay tuned to the Fredericksburg Parent & Family YouTube and Face- book channels this month for a video interview with Fredericksburg Orthodontics. Facebook: @fredericksburgparent • Twitter: @FredParent Instagram: @fredparentmagazine a sk t h e e x p e rt Sponsored Material Q: Fredericksburg Orthodontics offers both braces and Invisalign clear aligners. Is cost a factor in choosing between these treatment options? A: At many practices, it often is, because Invisalign treatment programs typically cost more than tra- ditional braces. But in our 15 years of experience treating patients, we have learned that choosing the right treatment option is a very individual decision and depends on the habits and preferences of every patient. We truly want each of our patients to be able to choose the option that is the best fit. That is why we offer uniform pricing for our treatment plans, no matter which option you choose. Our goal is for our patients to have the perfect smile, and for the experience of attaining that smile to be as pleasant as possible. Q: Why do you feel strongly about the pricing options you offer? A: Fredericksburg Orthodontics is a family-owned practice. From day one, we have wanted to not only serve our patients, but also make a positive contribution to our community. During the pandemic, we saw first-hand how many families struggled with the decision to start orthodontic treatment, espe- cially as many went from two incomes down to one. But the nature of orthodontics is such that delaying treatment can have costly and cumbersome impacts on the type of treatment a patient may need down the road. We just really wanted to be able to find a way to allow more families to afford quality orthodontic treatment. Q: How early should parents start thinking about orthodontics? We typically like to see patients by age 7. We offer a complimentary baseline consultation where we can identify whether the patient would benefit from early treatment. In some cases, it can make a difference to start treatment while a child is in a growth phase. This early treatment can help some patients to avoid more invasive surgeries down the road. Many other children won't need to start treatment until much later. And we are always happy to see adults, too. Parents can take some actions to prepare that can make budgeting for orthodontics easier when the time comes. In addition to investigating whether you could be contributing to an HSA or FSA, it could make sense to look at the range of health plans your employer offers. Often, choosing a higher-level health insurance plan that has a dental rider that includes orthodontics can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses once children reach the age where they need orthodontic treatment. Whether you are seeking treatment for yourself or your child, visit our website at fredericksburgorthodontics. com and request your complimentary consultation to get started on your new smile journey. Dr. Diana Almy