Ever heard of clear custom braces? Advances in manufacturing and scientific understanding have led to innovations in the design of orthodontic braces and wires, making the latest generation of orthodontic appliances faster, more comfortable, and more esthetic than ever. Braces certainly aren’t what they used to be, and not all braces are created equal.
Braces no longer have to mean inconvenience, discomfort, or a mouth full of metal. The ceramic braces of today are clear, discreet, and resistant to staining and discoloration throughout treatment. People may not even realize you’re wearing braces at all. Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics is pleased to offer clear custom braces for teeth, passive self-ligating metal braces and supporting appliances for those patients who choose braces as their treatment option.
The most advanced braces utilize a passive slide mechanism that allows teeth to align up to 6 months faster, is much gentler to the teeth and tissues, and makes your appointments quicker and easier because the braces do not need to be “tightened” at each visit. Older styles of braces use elastic ties or active clips to bind archwires in place. These ties and clips function like parking brakes during treatment, creating extra friction and pressure that slows tooth movement and causes pain. Passive self-ligating braces offer many advantages during the initial phases of treatment because their passive slide mechanism allows for the orthodontic wires to move and work more freely. Since less wire is bound by clips or ties, the working properties of the wires are enhanced, allowing teeth to align more efficiently and more comfortably.
Use elastic or steel ties to bind the wire tightly in the bracket.
Use an interactive clip that pushes the wire down in the bracket and becomes tighter with treatment.
Use a passive slide mechanism to gently hold the wire acting like a tube. These are the newest generation of braces.
The wires your orthodontist uses to move teeth are critical to the comfort and efficiency of treatment. Early in treatment, we utilize proprietary super-elastic wires with unique thermal properties, that react to the heat in your mouth, to apply light, consistent forces. Later in treatment, we select specialized titanium alloys instead of traditional steel wires, allowing us to further personalize your smile while maintaining gentle forces. Both the brackets and wires we use in treatment are state-of-the-art, and specifically calibrated for your individual smile. This allows us to deliver the smile you deserve quickly and comfortably.
Our selection of the most advanced braces and orthodontic wires available also translates into fewer trips to the orthodontist during treatment. Studies have shown that, on average, the latest braces and wires will save you up to seven appointments compared traditional braces. That means less time out of school, out of work, and greater convenience for you regardless of your schedule or lifestyle.
Elastomeric ties that are used with traditional braces are magnets for plaque and bacterial byproducts. They make cleaning around braces more challenging, and because they soak up bacterial wastes they can cause a phenomena known as “braces breath.” Although we still provide “colors” upon request for patients with good hygiene, the tools we use are carefully selected to promote the healthiest and cleanest environment possible for your teeth during treatment.
In order to achieve our signature smiles, extensive planning and personalization of the braces and wires we prescribe is key. Each patient and each smile is unique, and by combining our in depth understanding of facial development with our artistic magic we are able to create beautiful smiles and healthy bites that will enhance your facial appearance.
Advanced appliances in the hands of our skilled orthodontists make achieving your perfect smile faster and easier than you ever thought possible, but ultimately the speed of treatment is limited by your physiology. Fortunately, we are also leading the way with the use of technology that can enhance the biology of tooth movement and allow teeth to move twice as fast.
The braces we use are designed to be gentler and more comfortable, but you may experience mild soreness the first few days with braces.
Advanced braces don’t require “colors,” but they are still available upon request for good brushers.
Treatment at our office typically lasts 15 months, but the total length of treatment depends on patient compliance, the amount of tooth movement, and biologic response.
We do our best to work around important life events so your smile is photo ready, so that is certainly a possibility if we are made aware in advance.
At our office, the cost of care is all-inclusive and based on your individual orthodontic needs. The best way to evaluate your options is to schedule a complimentary consultation.
We are extremely flexible with financing so that we can develop a payment plan to fit your budget.
Yes you can, though we recommend and provide mouthguards to protect your teeth whether you have braces or not.
Special tools are use to clean around braces and we provide a thorough review of oral hygiene when you start treatment.
Using the latest technology allows visits to be less frequent, so appointments are needed about every 2-3 months, but this could vary.
Shifting of teeth is a part of life. Retainers are necessary for anyone looking to keep their teeth straight long term.
In addition, we offer all our patients the opportunity to participate in our Retainers for Life program – so you never have to worry about lost or broken retainers again.
We are a Cryptocurrency Friendly Practice!
Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics believe that when it comes to treatment, it’s always the patient’s choice – and that includes how they pay.
If you are purchasing products or services from the Smile-365.com web store: Simply select “Crypto.com Pay” as your option at checkout and follow the instructions to process the payment.
If you would like to pay for your orthodontic treatment in cryptocurrency: Please let your treatment coordinator know and we’ll set up a specialized smart contract for treatment.
We accept HSA and FSA
With Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics, you can use your HSA and FSA for eligible orthodontic treatment (Invisalign, braces or other appliances) and retention (retainers). Only the portion of your treatment payments not covered by dental insurance or any other insurance plan may be considered an eligible expense.
Interested in using your FSA/HSA for treatment or products through Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics? Check with your employer about your fund availability and cutoff date prior to your first consultation.
"We recently moved to the Chesapeake area and needed an orthodontist that could continue treatment for our two kiddos. Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics made our transition seamless and even provided an Invisalign option. The staff is amazing and the facilities are top notch!"
"This is an OUTSTANDING team of dental professionals. We are greeted with smiles every time and wait less than 5 minutes to be called back for our appointment. This is EXCEPTIONAL when compared to the usual, long waiting room wait in MANY practices. The changing seasonal themes is always surprising and enjoyable. THIS IS NOT THE USUAL MEDICAL FACILITY OFTEN VISITED. Doctors Frey and Hatcher are personable, very friendly and HAPPY to work with their patients. Theirs is the most pleasant office to visit and this team is competent and approachable all the time. I'd GIVE THEM A 10 if I could!"
"We absolutely LOVE Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics. I have 3 daughters who went through braces for about ten years (2002-2012). Now, I am wearing Invisalign. They have been consistently professional and offer the very best care. I highly recommend them."
"We love Dr. Hatcher and Dr. Frey! They are super thorough when you go in for an evaluation, and give you pricing up front. I visited a different local orthodontist, who wouldn’t give a price until after we started... they are detailed in the plan and the outcome is terrific! It is a wonderful practice with an amazing team! I highly recommend them!!"
"I can't tell you how astonished I was with the customer service, everyone here is affectionate, and kind. I feel respected and important here. I am a current patient with crowding problems; Invisalign was what I went with because It doesn't seem too much of a chore to keep up with rather than braces. Thanks Dr. Hatcher for your stunning care; I know I'm in good hands and can't wait to see a different smile in the near future. I hope if you've read this far you choose to come here even if you live far away; it's definitely worth the drive. I would recommend this to anyone who is in need of an orthodontist."
"Got my braces off today after 29 months of wearing them. When I came to Dr. Hatcher back in June 2017, my teeth looked like they were beat by Negan's bat, Lucille, from TWD. Today, I am a brand new person that has been cured of my zombie teeth apocalypse! Thank you Dr Hatcher, Shawna, and the rest of the staff! Your hard work has paid off and will not be forgotten. I will think of you every time I smile."
"Five stars I scheduled a consult after seeing photos of Dr Frey’s cases with early development utilizing Invisalign. I also felt orthodontics should start early not late and I wanted the best for my 5yr old twins. I was blown away with Dr Frey’s clinical skills, understanding of sleep apnea in children, his updated technology and ability to do digital scans instead of impressions totally shows his education and expertise, but my biggest compliment was how well they treated my family. It’s care that is surpasses any practice I’ve seen. Thank you for educating us and giving us a sound treatment plan."
"Dr. Hatcher is wonderful and the staff is exceptional! We have had a very positive experience here with both of our daughters. They go above and beyond and I recommend them to anyone who is looking for an orthodontist. They make you feel like family and the kids love going to their appointments. State of the art technology is used to transform smiles from good to great!"
"Dr. Scott Frey is an amazing Orthodontist and very caring. The most important thing which many people don't understand is it's not just straightening your teeth but knowing your bite is right for the lifetime of functioning. It's well worth the investment and time to do it right, so it won't cost you even more down the road. I give him 5 stars!"
"What a great experience! We were referred to Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics by our pediatric dentist’s office and they are very helpful and professional. Couldn't have had a better team to help my now 13-year-old achieve her perfect smile."