Author Archives for Terri Lively

Orthodontist or General Dentist? Which is Better for Modern Orthodontic Treatment?

July 17, 2021 5:10 pm Published by Comments Off on Orthodontist or General Dentist? Which is Better for Modern Orthodontic Treatment?

Photo By Michael Browning on Unsplash   Your regular dentist suggested that you start orthodontic treatment with their office. The team shared the treatment plan and an estimate for the costs. It seems like a good idea. After all, you have gone to your dentist for years, so why not allow the practice... Read more


Orthodontic Insurance: What You Should and Shouldn’t Expect it to Pay

June 9, 2021 7:37 pm Published by Comments Off on Orthodontic Insurance: What You Should and Shouldn’t Expect it to Pay

Photo by Atikah Akhtar on Unsplash There isn’t any dental insurance that pays the total cost of your modern orthodontic treatment. However, some pay for more than others. For most patients, any little bit helps, and orthodontic insurance benefits can help reduce the overall out-of-pocket expense for your modern orthodontic... Read more


You can pay for modern orthodontic treatment like clear aligners with pre-tax dollars

Paying for Orthodontic Care with Pre-Tax Dollars

May 13, 2021 12:39 am Published by Comments Off on Paying for Orthodontic Care with Pre-Tax Dollars

Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash   Most dental insurance policies do not pay for modern orthodontic treatment in full. While every bit helps, it usually covers only part of the overall expense, leaving the orthodontic patient or patient’s family to pay the rest out-of-pocket. However, there are ways that... Read more


Braces vs Aligners: What’s The Best for You During COVID-19

November 6, 2020 5:30 pm Published by Comments Off on Braces vs Aligners: What’s The Best for You During COVID-19

Now is a great time to start with either braces or aligners. We find that many patients are starting treatment right now, during the COVID-19 pandemic. These disruptive times have given patients a moment to consider how modern orthodontics can give them a smile they always wanted. Many of our... Read more


Orthodontics in the Days of COVID-19

September 8, 2020 10:33 pm Published by Comments Off on Orthodontics in the Days of COVID-19

  Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay   You have probably heard the phrase “unprecedented times” a lot in the past few months. It describes how we feel about COVID-19. We haven’t ever dealt with a global pandemic in our lifetimes, so we don’t know what to expect. Our uncertainty... Read more


How Long Will I Be in Orthodontic Treatment?

March 11, 2020 2:20 am Published by Comments Off on How Long Will I Be in Orthodontic Treatment?

Image by tigerlily713 from Pixabay Are we there yet?   You might think this question is coming from the back seat of a car on a family trip. However, we hear this question a lot rising from our dental chair, almost as soon as the orthodontic appliance is in the patients’ mouth.  ... Read more


What You Might Not Know about Clear Aligners in 2020

February 2, 2020 9:42 pm Published by Comments Off on What You Might Not Know about Clear Aligners in 2020

Clear aligners have been an orthodontic treatment option for over two decades. As you can imagine, the aligners have changed a lot over that time. Today, what we can do with clear aligner therapy is almost anything.   Of course, the most important thing you should know about clear aligners... Read more


Making plans for modern orthodontics in 2020 will help you prioritize them.

Making Orthodontics a Priority in 2020

January 25, 2020 4:46 am Published by Comments Off on Making Orthodontics a Priority in 2020

By now, you have likely put away the holiday decorations. The kids have gone back to school. Work is back into full swing and life in general is picking up its pace, which for many adults and families is a frantic one. It can be difficult to take care of... Read more


Photo of woman holding a green paper with a smiley face on it.

What You Should Know about SmileDirectClub

January 8, 2020 2:04 am Published by Comments Off on What You Should Know about SmileDirectClub

Photo by Kat Jayne from Pexels   Moving teeth is a serious business. That is why we believe here at Bloom Orthodontics in Long Beach that it is critical to have an orthodontist involved in your treatment.   However, the introduction of direct-to-consumer (DTC) companies like SmileDirectClub seek to disrupt this relationship and... Read more


What you can and cannot eat and drink on New Year's with modern orthodontic treatment.

Bringing in the New Year Right with Modern Orthodontic Treatment

December 31, 2019 12:50 am Published by Comments Off on Bringing in the New Year Right with Modern Orthodontic Treatment

Image by annca from Pixabay   So, you made it through the first round of holiday eating without a broken bracket or a lost tray. Congratulations! It’s not easy to pass on the candy canes, nuts, caramels, and toffees that can wreak havoc on your braces. Plus, we know how difficult it can... Read more