About Our Office

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

We were honored to recently be featured in DMG DENTALPROFILES! You can view it here (page 59) or read below!

Can you share your journey to becoming an orthodontist? 

I started my education here in Downers Grove at Highland Elementary School, Herrick Middle School, and Downers Grove North. Growing up, I never had my thoughts set on being an orthodontist; instead, I thought about doing something that involved healthcare. My parents are both in healthcare, and I had many extended family members involved in that field as well. After high school, I studied molecular biology and Spanish at The University of Illinois, and after graduation, I began working for an oral surgeon. After this experience, I decided to apply to dental school at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), followed by my orthodontic specialty degree from Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. I was drawn to orthodontics in dental school as I felt like it was the “fun” part of dentistry - no numbing, no needles, etc. I enjoyed the cosmetic and artistry part of orthodontics.

What makes Zach Frazier Orthodontics unique?

A few things make us unique. First, our mission is to serve and improve the community, which is why we are so heavily involved in supporting many schools and organizations locally. Internally, we are seriously dedicated to customer service and communication. We believe there is nothing more important to us than making our patients and their families happy, and we are willing to go above and beyond to prove this. Service, communication, and transparency are sometimes overlooked in the medical field, but those are our key priorities. Straight teeth and a healthy bite are the expectation with any orthodontic office, but we strive to make the experience better than anyone else.

As heavily involved in the community as you are, what are some of the organizations you support and why? 

In the six years that we have been in business, we have made over $40,000 in contributions to 36 community groups/schools/organizations. There are so many to name! We have made many contributions to District 58 & District 99 schools and the private schools in Downers Grove. I attended District 58 & 99 schools growing up, and I love giving back to the schools that helped shape my future. We also have provided support for some schools in the towns surrounding Downers Grove. We are a huge sponsor for many Downers Grove area sports clubs, including Roadrunners soccer, Rebels softball, Hitmen baseball, Fury baseball, Longshots baseball, Panthers football, Downers Grove Youth Baseball, and many more. It is an incredible opportunity to support so many kiddos who come into our office and sponsor their teams. Within Downers Grove, we also support many community groups, such as Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club, Navigate Adolescence, and The Grove Foundation.

Besides bringing beautiful smiles to your patients, what is the most rewarding part about being an orthodontist? 

One of the most rewarding parts is meeting so many great people. Our dental specialty is very social, and seeing families come in over many years is fun. I love seeing old classmates in the office with their kids.

As a native of Downers Grove, what was your experience growing up here? 

I loved growing up in Downers Grove. I grew up watching movies at the Tivoli with my family, getting ice cream at Every Day’s a Sundae, and heading to McCollum for soccer games. There are so many great memories of playing for Downers Grove North soccer at Carsten’s Field. One thing that is awesome about Downers Grove is that many of my friends who share those memories still live here, too, and we are now reliving those memories with our kids. That’s one of the unique things about Downers Grove – people come back here to settle down and raise their kids, and I think that says a lot about the vibe of this town.

CLICK BELOW OR CALL US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION

After being temporarily closed for a long 8 weeks, we are ready to make you smile again! We had to postpone hundreds of appointments, so we have a long road ahead to catch up. Rest assured, we will get there!

As we move forward with some new guidelines, we ask for patience and understanding. The new guidelines are for everyone's benefit in order to have a safe environment for care as well as to provide an efficient way to get everyone back on track.

Here is what you need to know:

APPOINTMENTS AND SCHEDULING:
- PLEASE WAIT FOR OUR OFFICE TO CONTACT YOU FOR AN APPOINTMENT. We have a long list of people to contact, and this will make for more efficient scheduling by our team.
- COMFORT/URGENT APPOINTMENTS: These appointments will still only be seen on an as-needed basis for significant pain or bleeding. For now, broken brackets are not considered urgent comfort appointments. Need advice - click here!
- RETAINER CHECKS: All retainer check appointments will be postponed until the fall with exception of certain cases that Dr. Zach sees necessary; if you have retainer concerns, please call us and we can still schedule an appointment
- GROWTH CHECKS: Growth check appointments will be seen on a case-by-case basis; in many cases, they will be postponed until the fall; if you have concerns and would like to be seen sooner, please call us and we can still schedule an appointment

BEFORE YOUR VISIT:
- PLEASE BRUSH YOUR TEETH THOROUGHLY RIGHT BEFORE YOUR APPPOINTMENT and do not come in with excessive food or debris on your teeth/braces. Our tooth brushing station is closed and is now a designated station for our patients to wash their hands.
- EVERYONE WHO ENTERS OUR BUILDING MUST HAVE A MASK (both patient and parents). Please come prepared.

YOUR VISIT:
- FOR ALL MINORS (18 and younger), a parent must be at the appointment to sign a questionnaire regarding COVID symptoms and exposure. If you cannot come, you must contact our office prior to the appointment for the form and send a SIGNED COPY with your child. Unfortunately, we cannot make any exceptions to this rule.
- PLEASE ARRIVE ON-TIME. We have staggered arrival times to limit the number of people in our building at any given time. Arriving too early will likely lead to waiting, and late arrivals may need to be rescheduled.
- When you arrive, REMAIN IN YOUR CAR AND CALL our office to let us know you have arrived. We will let you know when to come in.
- For any minor patient, ONE parent/guardian should come in to sign a questionnaire form regarding COVID symptoms and exposure. Absolutely no other individuals will be allowed. We encourage that parents return to their car after signing our questionnaire.
- DO NOT COME IF YOU ARE FEELING ILL. Any question indicating recent exposure to COVID-19 or anyone with signs/symptoms will be asked to leave immediately and will not be able to return for at least the specified 14-day self-quarantine requirement.
- THE PATIENT’S TEMPERATURE WILL BE TAKEN using a touchless thermometer. If the temperature is > 100 degrees F, you will be asked to leave immediately and will not be able to return for at least the specified 14-day self-quarantine requirement.
- PLEASE MAINTAIN 6-FOOT SOCIAL DISTANCING guidelines while in the office and seated in the waiting room. Reception furniture has been limited to accommodate this guideline.
- Patients will be asked to wash or sanitize their hands before and after their appointment.
- Patients will be asked to rinse with Colgate Peroxyl mouth rinse at their chair where an assistant will suction.
- We ask for understanding as we try to address all of your needs at your visit. Individuals with multiple broken brackets or issues may not have everything completed during the visit due to strict scheduling times. If you anticipate you or child needs more time for these issues, let us know beforehand.

AFTER THE VISIT:
- DO NOT DRIVE HOME RIGHT AWAY - WE NEED TO SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT VISIT! For child patients, one of our team members will call you to update you on progress and schedule the next appointment. We will not be scheduling at our front desk at this time.
- ADULT PATIENTS – you will be scheduled while seated in the chair.

OUR NEW PROTOCOLS:
- HOURS: Our office hours are now Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm until further notice. We have extended our clinic hours to space out appointments, catch up on overdue treatment, and allow for extensive cleaning of our office twice per day. We will notify you once normal hours of operation resume in the future.
- BARRIERS: You will notice clear barriers at our front desk as well as in our consult room. Additionally, we have placed barriers between our chairs in the clinic (which are 7 feet apart). We will continue to operate our medical grade HEPA filter in our treatment area (this has been present prior to the pandemic).
- CLEANING: Office cleaning will take place in the morning, midday, and evening.
- RECEPTION ROOM: Furniture has been limited and no magazines or books are available. We encourage non-patients (parents/guardians) to wait in the car or outside.

TEAMWORK:
- OUR TEAM IS SCREENED ON A DAILY BASIS with a questionnaire, and temperature is taken daily. Any team member with COVID symptoms or a fever >100 degree F will be required to go home.
- OUR TEAM HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY TRAINED on the new protocols. Please be patient as things may take more time at first as we are adapting to our new protocols.

Our priority has always been delivering the absolute best orthodontic in a safe and timely manner - that still remains our top priority. We are still committed to this community for the long haul, so while some things will be different about our office in the short-term, our mission has not changed!

Questions or concerns should be addressed by calling or emailing our office - we are here for you. We understand this may be the first time many of you are leaving your home in 8 weeks, so please do not hesitate to let us know how we can make you feel safe and secure. See you soon!

• Dr. Zach

Orthodontic insurance coverage can be very confusing to say the least. There are many nuances to the coverage, and it may vary year to year depending on your employer and the insurance company. Here are a few of the most common questions we are asked about insurance coverage for braces and Invisalign.

1. How much of treatment is covered?
   1. It depends on the policy that has been chosen by your or your employer. It may vary greatly, with many policies covering approximately $1000 - $2500 per person on the policy.
2. How does insurance pay out the benefit?
   1. Insurance usually pays the lifetime benefit over the course of treatment in monthly installments. It is not typical for them to pay it all out at once at the beginning of treatment, so to receive the full benefit, the plan must be active for the entire course of treatment.
3. Is adult orthodontic treatment covered by insurance?
   1. In many instances, yes. This certainly depends on the insurance plan and the options chosen by your employer.
4. Is Invisalign treatment covered by insurance?
   1. Yes, it is considered orthodontic treatment and can be applied to your lifetime orthodontic benefit.
5. Should I be concerned my insurance will not pay their amount?
   1. No, the vast majority of claims are paid as expected. However, there are no guarantees. If there is a problem, the office can try to resolve it, or you may have to call the insurance company to resolve any payment discrepancies.
6. What if my insurance does not pay as much as expected?
   1. In the case of underpayment, the remaining balance is owed by the patient for the services.
7. What if I get new insurance during my treatment?
   1. Some insurances have a "work in progress" policies that allow the new insurance to pick up the coverage. In other cases, the new insurance may consider it an existing condition and may opt to not cover. Calling your insurance company before switching is always a good idea.
8. How will I know insurance is making payments?
   1. Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) are sent to both the orthodontist and the patient so that you can review the payments being made on your behalf.

At Zach Frazier Orthodontics, we extend the extra courtesy to deal directly with your dental insurance provider. We verify and submit your insurance for you so that you do not have to deal with the hassle of filing insurance claims. If we expect insurance to cover a portion of your treatment, we will collect directly from them to reduce your monthly payment to make treatment more affordable.

Have more questions about dental insurance? Feel free to reach out - we are happy to help : ) We are experienced in helping many patients with braces and Invisalign in Downers Grove!  

Fall is always a busy time of year around here, and we make sure we are out there supporting our community however we can!

This fall, we sponsored many different groups, teams, and events around Downers Grove - let's check 'em out : )

Downers Grove North Athenas: We are proud to sponsor the DGN Athenas Dance Team during their 2019-2020 competition season. As a DGN alum, Dr. Zach is proud to be giving back to the purple and white!

Downers Grove South Marching Mustangs: DGS Marching Mustangs are simply amazing! They take pride in their band and they are run a pretty big Music Bowl in the fall. We are proud of the Marching Mustangs and we have many patients participating with them as well!

Navigate Adolescence: This group was put together to help teens and pre-teens as they transition kids to adolescents. This can be a trying time for both kids and parents, so they are there to help educate and support along the way. ZFO is proud to sponsor their annual Pancake Breakfast held at Ballydoyle in Downers Grove - it was a lot of fun!

Downers Grove Junior Women's Club: DGJWC is an amazing group of women who are dedicated to giving back to our community. They are a philanthropic group that participates in many fundraisers and events, and our community is truly better because of their efforts. We love what they do for DG, and we are super proud to support their continued efforts to improve our village.

Fairmount Elementary Trivia Night: Fairmount PTA hosted its annual Trivia Night once again, and we were proud to be a sponsor of this event. Fairmount School in Downers Grove is one of many schools we support, and we are thrilled that the PTA had a successful night raising money for the school - way to go!

Highland Elementary One Book One School Program: Highland School is special for Dr. Z - he spent 7 years there from kindergarten to 6th grade! For the past few years, we have donated to the One Book One School Program which provides the same book to all families that they read together throughout the year. This year's book was Finding Gobi and it was a big hit!

Once again, we cannot thank the community enough for their support. As Downers Grove's hometown orthodontist, we are happy to help anyway we can!

Hey parents - we get it. Finding room in the family budget for straight teeth is a challenge amongst everything else going on. Sports uniforms, piano 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.

Looking ahead to 2020, 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:

   If you are looking at plans for 2020 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 2020. 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.

2. Insurance Networks:

   Many people do not realize it, but going to an in-network dentist has many advantages that are not often discussed. They are not discussed because many dentists do not participate with insurances. They may say "we work with your insurance," but the true value for you is when they are actually in-network. In many cases, your lifetime orthodontic benefit will be greater if you go to an in-network orthodontist, and their fees are set by the insurance company so they are very reasonable and fair. If you venture out-of-network, the provider can charge you literally whatever they want to!

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 orthodontic treatment. Visit your orthodontist before you set your FSA limits for 2020 to find out how you can plan your payments. HSAs are also a great way to use pre-tax dollars to your benefit to pay for 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 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 : )

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:

• Time and cost efficiency - shorter treatment time means less cost
• Best technology and materials for the best results
• Custom payment options to optimize your FSAs and HSAs
• Reduce out-of-pocket costs by being an in-network insurance provider
• Low down payments on treatment
• 100% no pressure - we are not here to "sell" you anything
• Evening and Saturday appointment times

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

Downers Grove has always been a special place for me. I grew up here, went to the local schools, and even went to Downers Grove North right down the street from my office. One thing that strikes me is how many people share my story: they grew up here and now they have come back to raise their families in DG as well. It truly speaks volumes about our community.
Since opening my practice in 2015, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of the local support. I’m truly grateful for all the families that have come to visit me and have trusted me with their kids, as well the adults that have come to visit me that trust me with their smile. Now, we’re creating hundreds of smiles every year for people in the area, and it’s truly been a special ride. In 2018, we donated over $10,000 back into the community in the forms of sponsorships to PTAs, schools, churches and sporting events. In 2019, we want to make that even bigger by continuing our support. So look for us around town - you may see us at a local restaurant or at a local event. We truly love this community, and we truly want you to love your smile : )
I'm proud to be your hometown orthodontist!
- Dr. Zach

Why is the community so important to me? It's simple - I love to support the families that trust us with their smiles. As a lifetime resident of Downers Grove, it has been amazing to come back to my hometown and give back so much. I truly believe that it is part of what makes us unique as we support the community more than any orthodontist in the area.

Over the past year, we have sponsored and donated to over 25 local organizations, PTAs, sports teams, and school districts. Not only that, I am constantly looking for opportunities to support local small businesses through partnerships as well as attend the local events we support.

As we continue to spread awesome smiles in Downers Grove and the surrounding area, look for our name around town. If you have an organization that is looking to team up with us, feel free to reach out anytime. My job is to straighten teeth and create beautiful, healthy smiles; but as Downers Grove's top orthodontist, my mission is to make my community a better place. See you around town : )

- Dr. Zach