Child Health Plus FAQ

If you are younger than 21 and Child Health Plus covers your dental treatment, you automatically have orthodontic coverage. You are entitled to braces if you fit the NYS Medicaid Orthodontic Program guidelines.

Every child is entitled to have an immediate consultation with Dr. Gorin at the Lynbrook or Brooklyn office. The Child Health Plus orthodontic program will pay Dr. Gorin in the Brooklyn or Lynbrook office to evaluate a patient’s orthodontic needs. Dr. Gorin will perform a complete orthodontic clinical examination and take a set of orthodontic records, which will be forwarded to your Child Health Plus managed care plan.

Dr. Gorin will send your orthodontic records and a comprehensive narrative to your Child Health Plus managed care plan. Dr. Gorin will describe the orthodontic condition and request the appropriate treatment from Medicaid.

The final decision comes from a consultant that interprets the Medicaid orthodontic guidelines and how they apply to your case. Although there are very specific guidelines, they are open to interpretation. It is for this reason that Dr. Gorin takes great pride and care in preparing the request for orthodontic care for each and every patient so that the consultant gets a good picture as to the orthodontic problem.

You are entitled to appeal the decision made by your Child Health Plus plan. Dr. Gorin is an expert at preparing and submitting your orthodontic records, as well as the request for orthodontic treatment to Medicaid. If a disappointing decision is returned by Medicaid, Dr. Gorin will personally oversee your appeal.

You are entitled to a Fair Hearing. Call Dr. Gorin immediately upon receiving a denial of an appeal. You have only a short period of time to request a Fair Hearing, where a judge reviews the facts of your case and rules. Dr. Gorin will put you in touch with a community advocate that will assist you every step of the way. Dr. Gorin will work closely with your advocate to make certain you receive everything that you are entitled to.

Dr. Gorin himself is a strong child advocate and is the lead architect of “No Child Left Behind,” a program that assists those families that find the cost of extraordinary orthodontic care and extraordinary orthodontic results simply out of reach.

Dr. Gorin is extremely sensitive to how disappointed the parents of a child that has been denied Child Health Plus orthodontic treatment must be. Dr. Gorin wants very much to make treatment possible and available. Dr. Gorin will extend every courtesy possible and also offer manageable payment plans so that every child may receive the orthodontic care that is required.

Dr. Gorin is extremely sensitive to how disappointed the parents of a child that has been denied Child Health Plus orthodontic treatment must be. Dr. Gorin wants very much to make treatment possible and available. Dr. Gorin will extend every courtesy possible and also offer manageable payment plans so that every child may receive the orthodontic care that is required.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses, prevents, and treats dental and facial irregularities. At our practice, we focus on correcting bites, aligning teeth, and improving the overall function and appearance of your smile.

Orthodontists complete additional training after dental school to become experts in moving teeth, which allows us to provide you with the best possible care for your orthodontic needs.

We offer a variety of brace options to suit different needs and preferences. Traditional metal braces are a popular choice due to their effectiveness and affordability. For those looking for a more discreet option, we provide clear ceramic braces that blend in with your natural teeth.

Additionally, we offer invisible aligners like Invisalign® and 3M™ Clarity™, which use a series of clear trays to gradually move teeth into their desired position. Our team will help you determine the best brace option for your unique situation.

Early orthodontic treatment refers to any kind of orthodontic care received before all adult teeth have erupted, typically between ages 6 and 10. This phase, also known as Phase I treatment, focuses on guiding jaw growth and aligning teeth in preparation for future permanent tooth eruption.

By addressing certain issues early, we can potentially prevent more serious problems from developing, simplify future treatment, and even reduce the overall duration of orthodontic care. However, not all children require early intervention, and our team will assess your child's needs at their initial consultation.

The length of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the severity of your case and the type of braces or aligners you choose. On average, treatment can range from 18 to 24 months, but some cases may take longer or shorter.

Factors affecting treatment duration include your specific needs, how well you follow your orthodontist's instructions (such as wearing elastics and maintaining good oral hygiene), and the complexity of your case. Our team will provide a more accurate estimate during your initial consultation.

Your initial orthodontic consultation is an opportunity for us to get to know you, assess your dental needs, and discuss potential treatment options. During this appointment, we'll take X-rays and photographs of your teeth, as well as discuss your medical and dental history.

We'll then perform a comprehensive examination of your teeth, jaws, and facial structure to determine the best course of action for achieving a healthy, beautiful smile. This may involve a conversation about different treatment options, their benefits, and estimated timelines.

Invisalign® is a popular alternative to traditional braces that uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth. These custom-made trays are crafted from smooth, comfortable plastic and are designed to fit snugly over your teeth.

The nearly invisible appearance of Invisalign® aligners makes them an excellent option for adults or teens who want a discreet way to improve their smile. The aligners can be removed when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing, allowing for better oral hygiene and no food restrictions.

Caring for your braces involves a combination of excellent oral hygiene habits and regular dental check-ups. Here are some tips to help you keep your braces clean and healthy:

• Brush after every meal and snack, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss at least once a day, using a floss threader or orthodontic flosser to reach between your teeth and under the wires.
• Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could damage your braces.
• Attend regular dental check-ups and cleaning appointments as recommended by your dentist.

Our team will provide you with additional instructions on caring for your specific type of braces during your initial appointment.

If a bracket or wire on your braces becomes loose, broken, or causes discomfort, please contact our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for repair. In the meantime, here are some temporary fixes you can try at home:

• For a loose bracket: Apply orthodontic wax over the bracket to prevent it from irritating your mouth.
• For a broken wire: Use the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the wire back into place, or clip it with nail clippers if necessary. Then apply orthodontic wax over the sharp or protruding end.

If you're unable to come in for an appointment right away, please let us know so we can provide further guidance and ensure your orthodontic progress isn't delayed.

During active orthodontic treatment, you'll typically have appointments with our team every 4 to 8 weeks. The frequency of these visits may vary depending on the type of braces or aligners you're using and the progress of your treatment.

At each appointment, we'll make adjustments to your braces or provide new aligners, monitor your progress, and ensure that everything is working as expected. These regular check-ups help us maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of your orthodontic care.

Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, we'll remove your braces or aligners and provide you with a retainer to maintain your new smile. Retainers are essential for keeping your teeth in their corrected positions as your bone and gum tissue adjust to the changes.

Wearing your retainer as instructed will help prevent your teeth from shifting back towards their original position. We may recommend wearing it full-time for a few months, followed by nighttime wear indefinitely. Regular check-ups with our team will help ensure that your smile stays healthy and beautiful for years to come.