The appliance you choose plays a role, too. Metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners each work differently. So instead of hunting for the lowest price, it helps to figure out which treatment gives you the best value.

That’s where a consultation comes in. Once your orthodontist sees your teeth and bite, you’ll hear about your options, how long treatment should take, and what goes into the total cost.

What Orthodontic Treatment Options Are Available?

Traditional Braces and Clear Aligners

The right treatment depends on your dental needs, your lifestyle, and your budget. Metal braces are still a reliable choice for complex alignment and bite issues. They use brackets and wires to gently move teeth into place over time.

If you’d like something more discreet, clear aligners let you straighten your teeth without metal brackets and wires. These custom, see-through trays fit over your teeth and gradually guide them into alignment. Depending on your case, they can address crowding, spacing, and some bite issues.

Affordability matters when you compare options. Many orthodontic practices offer payment plans or financing to make treatment easier to manage. Before choosing between braces and aligners, ask about the total cost, including consultations, retainers, follow-up visits, and any extra fees.

A consultation helps you decide whether traditional braces or clear aligner treatment is the best path to a healthier, straighter smile.

Clear Aligner Treatment

Clear aligners are a popular pick for anyone who’d rather skip metal braces. Each set of trays is custom made, and you switch to a new set on a regular schedule as your teeth move through each planned stage.

One big perk is how easy aligners are to live with. Meals, work meetings, time with friends, and your brushing routine all carry on with very few changes.

That said, aligners aren’t right for everyone. How complex your tooth movement is, whether your bite needs correcting, and how consistently you wear them all affect whether they’ll work for you. Since you can take them out, wearing them as directed makes all the difference.

Aligner costs vary for many of the same reasons braces do. Complexity, expected length of treatment, and the amount of planning involved all factor in.

Discreet Orthodontic Options

Ceramic braces are a practical choice, especially when your goals go beyond what removable aligners can comfortably handle.

The most discreet option isn’t always the best fit, though. Aligners offer flexibility because you can remove them. Ceramic braces stay in place the whole time but are less noticeable than metal braces. Both have benefits and limits, and the right choice usually balances results, convenience, and what matters most to you.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Orthodontic Treatment?

The complexity of your care drives most of the cost. People often compare estimates based only on braces versus aligners, but the work involved matters more.

Cases with major tooth movement, bite problems, or crowding need more time and attention than simpler ones. Diagnostic records, digital imaging, treatment reviews, adjustments, and retainers after treatment can all add to the total.

Insurance benefits may lower your cost if you’re eligible. Financing or payment plans can also spread the cost out so it’s easier to manage over time.

How Can You Find Affordable Braces and Clear Aligners?

Affordable, quality care doesn’t always mean the lowest price. Comparing quotes can be tricky, because a lower starting price might leave out parts of your treatment.

At your consultation, ask whether the treatment fee covers retainers, follow-up visits, emergency appointments, and progress checks. Those details often tell you more about value than the price tag.

Experience, quality of care, and long-term support matter, too. Depending on your case, orthodontic treatment can take several months or even a few years. That’s why it’s so important to feel comfortable with your orthodontist and team every step of the way.

How Can You Get the Most Out of Your Consultation?

Come ready with questions, and expect a close look at your teeth and bite. Your orthodontist will start by checking your alignment and any bite concerns. You may also have diagnostic records taken to show what’s causing the issue and how much correction you need.

Before you make any decisions, you’ll talk through treatment recommendations, estimated cost, expected timeline, payment options, and follow-up needs. By the end of your visit, you should have a clear understanding of both the clinical and financial sides of treatment.

Ready to Schedule an Evaluation?

Book a consultation with Walker-Dixon Orthodontics. Our team takes a close look at your needs and lays out a clear treatment plan, with no guesswork or confusion.

FAQ

How much do braces cost in Fishers?

The cost of braces in Fishers depends on how complex your case is, which appliance you choose, and how long treatment will take. A consultation with Walker-Dixon Orthodontics is the best way to get an accurate estimate.

Who offers affordable clear aligners in Fishers?

Walker-Dixon Orthodontics offers clear aligner treatment in Fishers, along with helpful payment options to make care easier to fit into your budget.

Where can I get invisible aligners in Fishers?

Walker-Dixon Orthodontics provides invisible aligner treatment for qualified patients in Fishers. Your consultation will show whether aligners are a good fit for you.

How much do braces cost in Indianapolis?

Costs vary from patient to patient. Treatment complexity, length of treatment, and the type of appliance all play a part.

Where can I get invisible aligners in Indianapolis?

Many orthodontic practices in Indianapolis, including Walker-Dixon Orthodontics, offer clear aligners alongside traditional braces and other orthodontic services.

How much do clear aligners cost in Indianapolis?

Clear aligner costs depend on your treatment plan, how much correction you need, and how long treatment lasts.

How much do braces cost in Noblesville?

The cost of braces in Noblesville depends on the treatment you need. Schedule an orthodontic evaluation with Walker-Dixon Orthodontics to explore your options.

How much do clear aligners cost in Noblesville?

Clear aligner costs vary based on case complexity, treatment length, and the number of aligners you need.

Service Areas

• Fishers, Indiana
• Indianapolis, Indiana

Treatment can last a while, so picking the right orthodontist matters as much as picking the right treatment.

Every patient walks in with different needs. A child whose permanent teeth are starting to come in needs something different than an adult who’s noticed their teeth slowly shifting over the years. Teens often land somewhere in between, since they’re still developing and care about both how their teeth work and how their smile looks.

Atrusted orthodontist looks at all of these differences and builds a plan around you. Your recommendations should fit your dental needs, your age, your goals, and your long-term oral health.

What Are Today’s Orthodontic Treatment Options?

Braces

Braces are still the go-to treatment for lots of patients, and they work for kids, teens, and adults. Metal braces deliver great results for complex tooth and bite issues, especially when precise movement matters.

Ceramic braces are a nice fit if you’d like something less noticeable. The brackets blend in with the natural color of your teeth, so you get a more discreet look without changing how the treatment works.

Choosing between types of braces is rarely about looks alone. Your orthodontist will weigh the complexity of your bite, where your teeth sit now, your goals, and the results you can expect before making a recommendation.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners keep growing in popularity, especially with older teens and adults. They’re nearly invisible, which makes them a favorite for anyone who wants a discreet option at work or out with friends.

Treatment uses a series of custom aligners that move your teeth step by step. Plus, you can take them out to eat and brush, something fixed braces can’t offer. An orthodontic exam will show whether aligners are a good fit for you.

Early Orthodontics for Kids

An early orthodontic exam gives you a clear picture of how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing. Most of the time, your child won’t need treatment right away. But keeping an eye on growth helps your orthodontist spot potential issues early, while they’re easier to manage.

You might notice things like crowding, an uneven bite, speech concerns, or oral habits that stick around longer than expected. Those observations are helpful, but only a professional exam can tell whether treatment makes sense.

If your orthodontist recommends early treatment, the goal is to guide growth, not only move teeth. Creating space for incoming teeth and improving how the teeth and jaws fit together can help your child’s smile develop in a healthy way and keep later treatment simpler.

Orthodontics for Teens and Adults

Orthodontic care isn’t only for kids. Plenty of adults decide on treatment after putting it off for years, or because their teeth have shifted or their bite has changed. It’s never too late to love your smile.

Teens and adults often come in with crowding, spacing, an overbite, an underbite, or crooked teeth. Different treatments take different paths, but they all aim for the same thing: a healthier, more functional smile that fits your goals.

The right appliance is only part of the picture. Regular check-ins and adjustments along the way keep your progress on track with the goals you set at the start.

What Should You Look for in a Trusted Orthodontist?

Start with specialized orthodontic training, but don’t stop there. Once treatment begins, good communication matters every bit as much.

You should feel confident that every recommendation comes from your needs, not from what’s convenient for the practice. A practice that offers several treatment options can give you more balanced advice, since the conversation isn’t limited to one solution.

Reputation in your community tells you a lot, too. Reviews and patient stories don’t replace credentials, but they show how a practice communicates, handles scheduling, and supports patients over time.

Finally, look for transparency. Clear answers about how long treatment will take, what results to expect, and what it will cost help you make a confident decision and feel at ease along the way.

Schedule a consultation with Walker-Dixon Orthodontics to talk through your options with our team.

FAQ

Where can I find a trusted orthodontist in Fishers?

Look for an orthodontist in Fishers with a strong track record of happy patients. Thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans matter, too. Walker-Dixon Orthodontics proudly serves families in Fishers.

Where can I find a trusted orthodontist in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has plenty of orthodontic providers to choose from. To narrow your search, compare patient reviews, treatment options, credentials, and how each consultation feels.

What should I consider when choosing an orthodontist?

Look at their qualifications, experience with patients like you, and how well they communicate. It also helps to compare treatment options, patient reviews, and how clearly they explain costs.

What orthodontic care is available for kids, teens, and adults?

Options include metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners for teens and adults. For younger kids who need it, early treatment can help guide healthy growth.

Service Areas

• Fishers, Indiana
• Indianapolis, Indiana

1. Choose one of our complimentary brightly colored cases and use it!

Choose a bright colored case that will stand out. It will be less likely to be lost. Get into the habit of placing your retainer in its case when it is not in your mouth.

2. Be consistent with your routine!

If wearing your retainer only at night, place your retainer and case next to your toothbrush. After you have brushed your teeth before bedtime, put your retainer in your mouth. In the morning, put the retainer right back in the case next to your toothbrush. If wearing your retainer to school, carry your case in your lunchbox or your backpack so that it is handy during lunchtime.

3. Don’t put it in your pocket!

It is very tempting to take your retainer out to eat and slip it in your pocket. Retainers are fragile and are at risk of distorting or breaking in a pocket. Because they are lightweight, they can easily fall out of a pocket undetected. Many retainers have been stepped on because they fell out of a loose pocket.

4. Misplacing it on vacation!

First, kudos to you that you remembered to take your retainer on vacation! Because you are out of your daily routine, it is easy to lose track of your retainer. Be sure to find a safe location for your retainer case when you arrive and don’t leave it behind!

5. Leaving it on the lunch tray or wrapping it in a napkin!

It is tempting to take out your retainer and put it on your lunch tray or wrap it in a napkin. If you leave it on the lunch tray, it is possible that it will be sent to the garbage with unwanted food when the lunch bell rings. Never wrap your retainer in a napkin or paper towel. Hiding your retainer in a napkin is the easiest way to throw it away! Considering the cost of replacing retainers, it is likely your parents will make you look through the trash. Imagine digging through Taco Bell trash for a missing retainer! Yuck!

6. Leaving it out for your dog or cat!

Your dog/cat loves your retainer almost as much as they love you! They are attracted to your scent so if left within reach, your retainer becomes a very expensive chew toy. Avoid this by making sure your retainer is in its case and out of reach of your beloved four-legged friend. If they are able to get up on counters or can reach the spot you have selected to keep it at, we highly recommend keeping it in a drawer instead!

The use of Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can make orthodontic treatment more accessible. HSA and FSA accounts let you set aside tax-free money to pay for qualified medical expenses.

Orthodontic treatment qualifies as a medical expense as long as an orthodontist has recommended it. By using tax-free money in your HSA or FSA, you save your personal money! Oftentimes, you can use orthodontic insurance along with your HSA or FSA, resulting in a relatively low out of pocket cost.

Some things to remember, while an HSA rolls over from year to year, an FSA does not. So make sure to use those FSA dollars before they expire at the end of the year! Whether you decide to have braces or clear aligners, both are an eligible expense. Open enrollment for these programs has a limited window in the fall, so give us a call sooner rather than later to get on our schedule for information on treatment eligibility and estimated treatment fees. Planning a little ahead can mean significant savings!

2022 Open Enrollment Deadlines:

• November 1, 2022: Open Enrollment begins. Apply Here for or change your coverage.
• December 15, 2022: Deadline in order to have coverage that begins on January 1, 2023.
• January 15, 2023: Deadline in order to have coverage that begins on February 1, 2023.

Due to his condition, he has been tested for numerous other issues that can occur. Even though there was a very slim chance, he ended up developing Cerebral Palsy from the condition as well. His parents and sister, Gemma, have not let any of these “letdown” appointments hold him back from being his smiley, sweet self and exceeding expectations. He has an awesome team that is helping him grow and learn through therapy while his mother has now joined the board for one of the top CP research firms in America, United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska.

Sam’s story inspired the Fishers staff to select UCPNE for our quarterly donation. With our donation, we would be supporting families like the Walsh’s by helping to fund “fun raisers” and other events that create inclusive spaces for the children and their families.

To learn more about UCPNE or make your own donation, please visit: https://ucpnebraska.org To learn more about Sam’s story and to follow his journey, please follow his Instagram account.

Pack the Tools

Regardless of all of the fun activities, don’t forget to take the time to keep your teeth clean. A braces travel kit doesn’t take up much room and will help you while you are on the go.

Eat the Right Foods

Adhering to braces-friendly foods while on vacation is extra important to ensure that no wires or brackets become dislodged while away. While on vacation, this may not be so easy, but the last thing you want to do is leave your vacation fun to find an orthodontist to fix the problem.

Here are some things you should always skip:

Traveling with Spark Aligners

It Is easy to neglect the required 20-22 hours of aligner wear while enjoying vacation. Set a reminder on your phone to help you stay on track! All of the progress you made prior to vacation will come to a screeching halt if you stop wearing your trays. Always carry your case with you and immediately put your trays in the case while eating and drinking. Avoid wrapping them up in napkins or they will get thrown away. Be sure to bring as many trays as needed to avoid disrupting your treatment. Pack the previously worn tray and the next tray, just in case something happens to the current one.

What to do for Common Mishaps

Poking wires – It’s normal for wires to shift while your teeth are moving causing a pokey end. Such an irritation can wait until you return home. We recommend using the wax you packed to alleviate the pain. If long enough, it can be carefully clipped with nail clippers or small wire cutters.

Wire slips out of the back – Light wires often slip out of the back brackets. No need to worry! Many can guide it back into the tube or rest it under the tube temporarily. You can use wax to cushion it or clip it in extreme cases.

Broken brackets – A loose bracket between 2 other fixed brackets can remain in place until you can return to our office. It may slide on the wire, but shouldn’t cause pain. If it is a back bracket, you can slide it off the back of the wire. If you are left with a long wire, it can be carefully clipped with nail clippers or small wire cutters.

Lost Spark trays – If you accidentally lose a tray, don’t panic! Wear your previous tray or your next tray until you get home. Contact our office and we will decide whether we need to reorder that one.

Contact Walker-Dixon Orthodontics

Just a little preparation and some forethought can prevent an orthodontic mishap. When in doubt, call or text us. We are here for you at Walker-Dixon Orthodontics even when you are on vacation. We can help you troubleshoot and determine the best course of action so you can continue to enjoy your much deserved vacation!

It is no surprise that there are many questions about mouthguards while in orthodontic treatment and we are here to help answer those inquiries!

Why should I wear a mouthguard with braces?

When worn properly, a mouthguard will limit the damage to the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth when there is a hit to the face. It can also protect the lips and the cheeks from being damaged by orthodontic appliances.

Can I use a boil and bite mouthguard?

A mouthguard that is custom fit with a boil and bite method cannot be worn during orthodontic treatment. This type can get wrapped around your braces and get stuck in place! It can also damage your braces. Also, during orthodontics your teeth are constantly changing, so a custom fit mouthguard will not fit for the duration of your treatment.

Where do I buy a mouthguard for braces?

Most sporting goods stores and online vendors sell mouthguards for braces. At Walker-Dixon Orthodontics, we have the blue Shock Doctor mouthguards available to our patients. This brand is approved by the American Association of Orthodontists so we highly recommend them! The mouthguards are offered in adult and youth sizes, with or without a strap. We are happy to help you choose the size that fits your mouth the best! The Shock Doctor mouthguards are lightweight and can also be trimmed for better comfort. They allow the teeth to shift and therefore can be worn for the duration of orthodontic treatment.

How do I place my mouthguard over my braces?

Luckily, the Shock Doctor mouthguards are made of a squishy flexible material. You should gently place it over your top braces and slowly bite your lower teeth into it. When removing it, don’t yank it out quickly, but gently peel it away from the brackets so you don’t break any.

Can I wear my clear aligners (Spark trays) instead of a mouthguard?

The Spark trays do not replace a mouthguard when required for a contact sport. The aligners should be removed and a regular mouthguard be worn. Again, a boil and bite or custom mouthguard will not fit long term because the teeth are constantly changing during treatment whether you are in braces or aligners. If you are opting against a mouthguard for non-contact sports, your Spark trays can still be worn and offer some protection.

How do I take care of my orthodontic mouthguard?

It is important to clean your mouthguard after every time you have worn it. Drs. Walker and Dixon recommend using a toothbrush and toothpaste to remove any bacteria and to keep it clean and fresh. Mouthguards should be kept in a case when not being worn, kept away from direct sunlight and of course, away from your pets!

We hope this post helped answer any questions you or a child may have had in regards to protecting teeth during orthodontic treatment! If you have any additional questions, please feel free to give us a call!

Victory Junction was dreamed up by a former race car driver, Adam Petty. He was not only passionate about racing, but also the livelihood of children. He would often visit pediatric hospitals between races. After his tragic passing from a racing accident, his family and friends turned his dream of starting a camp to help children with serious health conditions into a reality. The 84 acre camp, Victory Junction, opened in 2004 and is located in the hills of Randleman, North Carolina. It is a place where kids can be kids, regardless of their health status. They can play and make friends while experiencing a camp life that most would not be able to experience otherwise. Their mission is to enrich the lives of children with serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, all while being free to the children or their families.

Learn more about Victory Junction here: https://victoryjunction.org

Feed Your Neighbor is a program that provides food to families in need. The program has sites located in Indianapolis, Anderson and Bluffton. They have provided over 74k families with meals and have distributed over 1.5 million pounds of food. Their ultimate goal is to share hope with the families who are provided food during tough times. The program is designed to serve anyone and everyone experiencing financial hardship in our community. Not only do they aim to meet the nutritional needs of those who come to a site, but they also will sit and provide emotional support as needed.

Learn more about Feed Your Neighbor here: http://feedyourneighbor.com

Thank you for taking the time to learn about a couple of our favorite philanthropies. We hope that you all remember the causes that are close to your heart during this time of giving. From everyone here at Walker-Dixon Orthodontics, have a wonderful holiday season!

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays just around the corner, we wanted to pause for a moment to express our gratitude to both our staff and patients.

We are thankful each and every day to work with such an amazing group of women! Each one of you is dedicated and willing to go above and beyond for us and our patients. You make this a terrific place to work and visit! Thank you for your hard work, day in and day out, to serve our patients. You all make Walker-Dixon Orthodontics what it is!

We are so grateful to our amazing patients and families who make each day extraordinary! We are thankful for you and your trust as we work together to make your smile the best it can be!

You have all certainly made us count our blessings! We extend our warmest Thanksgiving wishes to you, your families and loved ones! May the coming year bring much health and happiness!

All the Best,
Dr. Walker & Dr. Dixon

Meet Our Walker-Dixon Family