Finances Should Never Be An Obstacle When It Comes To Your Smile

When you consider the cost of orthodontic treatment, also consider the lifelong benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile. The cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors, including the severity of the problem, its complexity and length of treatment.

For your convenience, Rhode Island Orthodontic Group accepts cash, personal check, money orders and all major credit cards. We also offer in-house payment plans so you can spread the cost of your treatment over several months. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions concerning our payment options or your account.

If your insurance covers orthodontic treatment, you will receive the benefit of reduced personal costs. Many insurance policies have a lifetime orthodontic benefit that is distinct from regular dental insurance. This benefit is usually paid as a percentage of the orthodontic fee until the maximum has been reached. The orthodontic fee includes diagnostic records, initial fee, monthly payments, etc. Mostly likely, insurance will not cover the cost for lost or broken appliances.  Insurance policies vary, so we will review your insurance to determine the appropriate course of action.

Please remember that orthodontic insurance is a benefit for you or your child. Be aware of your benefits before treatment begins. Contact your insurance provider if you are unsure of your exact coverage. 

 Most misunderstandings about insurance can be eliminated if you are familiar with your policy:

• Be sure that you do have orthodontic coverage. Not all dental plans provide orthodontic benefits. 
• Inquire if there is an age limitation as some orthodontic plans can expire at age 18. 
• Be aware of the percentage which will be paid by your insurance and the amount of lifetime benefits provided by your plan. 

At Rhode Island Orthodontic Group, we believe that finances should never be an obstacle when it comes to a beautiful, healthy smile. Therefore, we offer convenient payment options to help you keep from worrying about the cost of braces and allow you focus on what matters most – your smile!

Do you have an Orthodontic Emergency?

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare; but when they do occur, we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call Rhode Island Orthodontics when you experience severe pain, or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.

You might be surprised to learn that you can temporarily solve many problems yourself until you can get in the office to get the situation resolved.

The following are some common orthodontic problems and solutions:

Poking Wire: By using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.

Loose Bracket: If your bracket is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire bracket comes off completely, place it in a ziploc bag, and save it to bring to your next appointment.

Loose Wire: Using tweezers, try to place it back into place. If doing this and using wax does not help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.

Loose Appliance: If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.

General Soreness: When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater rinse. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8oz of warm water and rinse your mouth vigorously. Placing an oral numbing gel may also help. If the tenderness is severe, take ibuprofen or what you generally take for aches and pains.  The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. 

We are always happy to show you how!

3 Friday the 13th Facts

Happy Friday the 13th! For many people, fear overcomes them on this day as well as so many superstitions. We thought it would be in good humor to go over some popular Friday the 13th facts. The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th is actually a combination of two separate fears — the fear of the number 13, called triskaidekaphobia, and the fear of Fridays.

Keep reading to learn about 3 Friday the 13th Facts!

1. Friday the 13th  have been considered an unlucky day since the medieval times.
2. It is generally considered bad luck to start anything on a Friday - a new journey, job, marriage, business project, giving birth, moving house
3. It is unlucky to cut fingernails and hair on Friday the 13th.

Whether you believe these superstitions or not, Rhode Island Orthodontic Group is crossing our fingers that you all have a very safe and lucky Friday the 13th today!

The Floss Awakens

Every year on May 4 most of us observe National Star Wars Day. “May the Fourth Be With You” is a popular term often used on this day, in correlation with ”May the Force Be With You”.  At Rhode Island Orthodontics, we like to say "May the Floss Be With You" to remind you to floss those teeth!

This May 4th, remember to avoid the dark side and keep those pearly whites bright and clean by brushing and flossing! Check out the fundamentals of flossing below for additional insight to keep your oral hygiene at its best.

Flossing Fundamentals



To keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, you need to floss at least once per day. But how do you get floss under the archwire of your braces? It's not so hard with the help of a floss threader. Using this device is somewhat like threading a needle: You pull one end of floss through the threader, and then push the threader — carrying with it the free end of the floss — under the archwire. Now grasp the floss on each end and slide it up and down the sides of both teeth, and all the way under the gums until you hear a squeaky sound. Finally, pull it out and use a new section of floss for the next area.

What is AcceleDent?

You want to improve the look of your smile, but does the thought of spending months, or even years, in braces sound like too much of a hassle? At Rhode Island Orthodontics, we offer AcceleDent.  With the AcceleDent System, you can now reduce the time of your orthodontic treatment by 38 to 50%! Using this pain-free, easy appliance, you'll achieve your most perfect smile in no time at all.

By inserting the AcceleDent Mouthpiece – also fitted around existing orthodontics – and turning on the Activator for 20 minutes every day, AcceleDent Aura can speed up tooth movement by using SoftPulse Technology. Faster tooth movement may decrease the duration of your orthodontic treatment and can even help to make your orthodontics more comfortable.

Watch this video to learn more about AcceleDent and how it works.

Is Orthodontic Care Expensive?

When orthodontic treatment is implemented at the proper time, treatment is often less costly than the dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later. Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as many other consumer products. Financing is usually available, and our offices offer many payment programs that will meet your needs. In addition, many insurance plans now include orthodontics.

Our team of four experienced doctors and professional staff at #RiOrtho are equipped to serve you and your family at each of our six offices conveniently located throughout the West Bay area. We proudly offer the latest orthodontic braces for children, teens and adults at our offices in East Greenwich, Warwick,Wickford, Wakefield, Coventry, Barrington and Westerly, Rhode Island.

Suffering from a poking wire?

As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip. If the wire won't move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call our office for our guidance or instructions. Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that's causing problems.

When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, call us at Rhode Island Orthodontics and we'll schedule a time to see you.