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Hi Downers Grove area parents! I know that many of you are aware of Invisalign®, the virtually invisible way to straighten teeth without metal braces, but I’m often asked for more information about Invisalign® Teen, specifically. Parents are curious about how (and if!) these clear aligners can really work for their teens.

Here’s the short answer (TL;DR as the kids are saying) - rather than wires and brackets, Invisalign® Teen uses a series of clear, removable aligners that have been custom-made for your teen’s teeth, a result of precise images I take with the sophisticated iTero Element Scanner. Your teen simply wears these aligners over their teeth and changes them out for a new set of aligners periodically—most often every week. Little by little, your teen’s teeth gradually shift into place.

For those of you who want more information, here are the answers to the top five questions I’m asked about Invisalign Teen. I hope you find it helpful!

1. INVISALIGN TEEN CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL BRACES.

When worn according to the customized plan I set in place as your child’s orthodontist, Invisalign Teen can be as effective as traditional braces. In fact, the chances are very high your teen will be a candidate for Invisalign as it can treat many of the common issues we see. Call us at (630) 541-3696 to set up an appointment to find out for sure. And, don’t worry, we’ll never pressure you into a decision - traditional braces are often a great choice as well! 

2. THERE ARE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF INVISALIGN TEEN OVER TRADITIONAL BRACES.

With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so your teen can play sports, musical instruments and eat their favorite foods without the worry that braces will get in the way. Plus, it’s much easier to brush and floss normally in order to maintain proper oral hygiene. If getting into the hard to reach places is already a struggle for your teen, Invisalign aligners may be a good choice over traditional braces. 

3. INVISALIGN TEEN COSTS ABOUT THE SAME AS BRACES.

In our office, our goal is to make treatment affordable no matter which option you choose. That’s why we are flexible with down payments and offer low monthly payments, regardless which path you choose for straightening your teen’s smile. Because of this, we find that the slight variation in cost of treatment is not a deciding factor for most patients. 

4. YOUR TEEN HAS TO WEAR THE ALIGNERS MOST OF THE DAY.

How many hours does that really mean, you ask? Invisalign Teen is most effective when worn 20 to 22 hours per day and changed approximately every week. Simply put, unless they’re eating or brushing their teeth, your teen should be wearing their aligners. 

5. YOU’LL SPEND LESS TIME AT MY OFFICE THAN WITH TRADITIONAL BRACES.

Invisalign Teen often requires less time with your orthodontist than traditional braces do. After the initial appointment, follow-up appointments are usually less frequent and scheduled every eight to twelve weeks. There are minor adjustments to make, but no changing and bending of wires. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign Teen, or curious if your teen is a candidate, reach out! At my practice, all consultations are free and we always present your options so that you can make an informed decision about treatment for your child. 

Just click below to schedule that complimentary consultation. I can’t wait to meet you and your teen! 

- Dr. Zach

Hey parents - we get it. Finding room in the family budget for straight teeth is a challenge amongst everything else going on. Sports uniforms, violin lessons, iPhones, vacations - kids sure are expensive. And I totally understand - I have kids of my own, and there always seems to be something coming up.

As we all plan for 2023, I want to help by giving you some honest and actionable advice to help you save on your orthodontic treatment. It may take a little research, but it will be well worth it in the end!

1. EMPLOYER INSURANCE PLANS COVER TWEENS AND TEENS:

If you are looking at plans for 2023 and your employer offers an option with an orthodontic benefit, the best time to plan is now. Schedule a consultation with an orthodontist to see if your child will need braces in 2023. If they do, then you can do the math to see if the extra premium is worth it. If they don't, see if you can get a timeline of when he or she will be ready. This way you only pay the additional premium if you're going to use it. At ZFO we offer complimentary consultations, so there’s no risk of losing cash for the sake of planning ahead - plus, no referrals necessary. : )

2. GO TO AN OFFICE THAT WORKS DIRECTLY WITH YOUR INSURANCE TO SAVE YOU TIME & MONEY:

Many people do not realize it, but not all offices give treat insurance the same. While some offices may work directly with your insurance company to secure your benefit, others will leave you with the responsibility of dealing with the insurance company to collect your benefit. If you go to an office who is not handling your insurance, you will pay more up front for your treatment and be left with the responsibility of doing your own insurance homework. Our office prides ourselves on going above and beyond for your family: we will file the insurance claim, follow up with the insurance, and do all the legwork to ensure your claim is paid to off-set your out-of-pocket cost. Additionally, at ZFO we are in-network with many PPO plans, so you can ensure you are getting the maximum benefit possible for your orthodontic treatment. Call us to see if your plan is one of them. 

3. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS AND HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS:

FSAs are a great way to take advantage of your employer benefits to help reduce some out-of-pocket costs on teen orthodontic treatment. Visit your orthodontist before you set your FSA limits for 2023 to find out how you can plan your payments. Our financial coordinators are a great resource! HSAs are also a great way to use pre-tax dollars to your benefit to pay for teen orthodontic treatment.

4. PAYMENT PLANS:

Most orthodontists will offer in-house financing with 0% interest on the monthly payments. This can be a huge advantage for a family trying to budget out the cost of braces or Invisalign® for multiple kids, so be sure to talk with the office to see how the payments can be arranged. You may be surprised to find out that offices like ours are willing to finance beyond the treatment time or accept a small down payment as low as a couple hundred dollars. All you have to do is ask : )

5. SCHEDULE A COMPLIMENTARY TEEN ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATION NOW:

Timing is everything and you won’t know if your tween or teen is ready for orthodontic treatment unless you get them checked out by a specialized practitioner. Orthodontists receive 2 additional years of specialized schooling above and beyond their dental certification, making them the right person to determine timing for orthodontic care. While some kids are good candidates for early orthodontic treatment around age 8, many more begin treatment closer to age 11 or 12. If your child is approaching this age range, schedule a complimentary consultation with us and we can help you plan your timing! You may not need to look into any of the above until late 2023 as you plan for 2024 - but at least you’ll know. 

At Zach Frazier Orthodontics, we take pride in our ability to make treatment affordable while maintaining the highest standards of care and customer service. How do we do it? Well, frankly, we are different than most offices in that we do the following:

• 100% transparency & no pressure – we are not here to sell you anything!
• Complimentary consultations, with no referral needed
• Time and cost efficiency – shorter treatment times equals less cost
• Latest technology and materials for the best results
• Custom payment options to optimize your FSAs and HSAs
• Low down payments on treatment
• Thorough plans and clear communication from start to finish

As a member of the COMMUNITY, I would not be able to do my job any other way. My patients are your friends, your family, and your neighbors; and we are proud of our reputation. Feel free to send us a text or email - we are here to help you : )

#LOVEYOURSMILE

- Dr. Zach

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it's that I love Downers Grove. I love the small town feel and I love the way people come back to raise their own families here. Having grown up attending the District 58 & 99 schools, playing for Downers Grove North soccer at Carsten’s Field, eating ice cream at Every Day’s a Sundae, and watching movies at the Tivoli, I love that I get to experience those memories through different eyes with my own kids. 

That’s one of the reasons why giving back to the community of Downers Grove is so important to me. In the past 7 years Zach Frazier Orthodontics has made over $50K in contributions to over 40 local groups, schools and organizations in and surrounding Downers Grove. These include schools; all types of youth sports and clubs; and community organizations like Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club, Sharing Connections, and The Grove Foundation.

These groups, schools and organizations make Downers Grove a great place to live and be a part of; contributing to their success makes me feel good, knowing that I’m contributing to the success and joy of so many of my patients and their families as well. 

I pride myself in being an excellent orthodontist who cares about each of his patients and provides excellence in service, but I also know that creating smiles isn’t all about orthodontics. It’s also about giving back and building strong relationships through social opportunities - in and out of the office. I’m proud of the work I do creating beautiful smiles through braces and Invisalign; and by contributing to my patients overall experience growing up or living in Downers Grove. 

-Dr. Zach

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At Zach Frazier Orthodontics, we are proud to have a community focused orthodontic practice that provides exceptional care to each of our patients. With one doctor and one location, we provide one on one experiences that will leave you smiling. 

Get to know Dr. Zach Frazier

Dr. Zach is a board-certified specialist in orthodontics dedicated to providing high-quality care. His training has gone above and beyond traditional orthodontics. Previously, he was part of the craniofacial team at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Due to this additional experience, he can offer exceptional care to all patients, including those with special needs. He believes that treatment should be both an enjoyable and rewarding experience, and he would be privileged to care for you and your family.

Schedule an appointment with us today!

At our practice we strive to provide the highest quality orthodontic treatment but also ensure incredible customer service and make you feel like you’re at home while you’re visiting us. Visit us online for a complimentary virtual consultation or click below to schedule an in-person consultation. 

CLICK BELOW OR CALL US TODAY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION. 

Many parents we speak to had braces in the past (but didn’t wear a retainer) and lost the straight smile they once had. Many other adults have simply never been happy with their smile. Maybe you’ve never considered orthodontics as an adult because you can’t imagine wearing braces to client meetings or maybe because it’s a big time and financial commitment to undergo years of braces as an adult. 

Whichever boat you fall into, we have good news! Our team doesn’t want any roadblocks in the way of you having a beautiful smile… or having it back again. 

That’s why we’re offering Smile Touch-Up to the adults of our community where Dr. Zach Frazier and our team will address only the elements of your smile that are most important to you. That means shorter treatment times and reduced fees.

People won’t notice you’re wearing them

We 3D print a series of custom clear aligners to straighten your teeth. And, unlike traditional braces that you might have had as a kid, our clear aligners are removable. You take them out briefly when you eat or brush your teeth. Most of the time your aligners will stay in so they can do the work of moving your teeth. The good thing is that they are virtually invisible so people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.    

While we do offer full orthodontic treatment for adults at our practice, we find that many don’t want to make that commitment. Whether it’s financial or time restraints, our Smile Touch-Up is a great option. 

Together we will figure out which elements of your smile are most important to you. We’ll agree on a course of treatment to fix only those areas, and we’ll set an estimated timeline. Because of the limited nature of the adjustments, we are able to improve your smile in a much shorter timeframe than for those looking for full orthodontic treatment. 

You’re not alone

Adults are getting braces and Invisalign clear aligners more than ever before. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) says that adults are getting orthodontic treatment in record numbers, and not all of them for the first time either. Not only that, patients are reporting that after treatment they feel better about themselves and their social lives. Most would recommend seeking out treatment for other adults. Major benefits! 

See an Expert

There are many services out there claiming they can mail you aligners and fix your teeth. We strongly believe that even the smallest changes to your mouth should be done under the in-person care of a trained and certified orthodontist. Dr. Zach Frazier is a board-certified orthodontist with extensive training beyond that of a general dentist.  Our team limits treatment exclusively to braces and Invisalign which means you have your teeth in the hands of an expert.

Make sure you know who it is that is making changes in your mouth. What looks like a small fix could domino into major issues without a trained orthodontist looking at the full picture. 

No Obstacles

At Zach Frazier Orthodontics, we have treated thousands of teens and adults with clear aligners. We know what we’re doing and we’ve treated cases that are both difficult (Full Treatment) and simpler (Smile Touch-Up). Our team strives for clinical excellence in a friendly and welcoming environment. We appreciate that you have a busy schedule and will make sure to have you in and out as quickly as possible - time is important to us! …. It’s one of the reasons why we offer Smile Touch-Up.

Speaking of time, most of our Smile Touch-Up appointments are scheduled at 10-week intervals. And, if you’re away for longer periods of time - we’re talking to you, college students - we can even work with you to ensure your geography doesn’t get in the way of treatment with us. 

See your smile before you start!

Want to see what your new smile will look like at your first appointment? At Zach Frazier Orthodontics, we use a high-tech iTero intraoral scanner to take a 3D model of your mouth. Then we use special software to move your teeth right in front of you on the screen!

Ready to Rejuvenate Your Smile? 

If you’re interested in talking about whether you’re a candidate for a Smile Touch-Up with clear aligners click the button below. We’d be happy to explore this option with you, free of charge.

CLICK BELOW OR CALL US TODAY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.