Your First Visit

As a special offer to you, we extend the opportunity to visit with Dr. Collazo during the initial complimentary examination. As you step into our office you'll notice a difference! Our friendly, professional staff will welcome you in our comfortable reception area, complete with a game room for the kids. Little ones will be fascinated by the fish in our saltwater aquarium. You'll enjoy the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere in our highly advanced treatment area where you can view cascading waterfalls flowing into the koi ponds.

Since each patient's care is special and unique, Dr. Collazo will evaluate your treatment concerns and answer questions at this initial appointment. If orthodontic treatment is necessary, a more detailed "records" appointment is scheduled to gather complete diagnostic information. By offering digital radiography and digital imaging, a complete presentation of your personalized treatment plan is discussed at this appointment. For your added convenience, we are happy to combine the initial examination and the diagnostic appointment. We take a genuine, personal interest in every patient.

Are braces necessary? My teeth look straight.

Everyone wants a beautiful smile - that's one of the most obvious reasons to seek orthodontic treatment. In general, people believe orthodontics is a cosmetic procedure to straighten crooked teeth or close spaces. However, it is just as important to establish a proper bite relationship. In reality, when orthodontic problems are left untreated, they can severely jeopardize the health of gums, bone and jaw joints. Crowding may contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss. Bad bites can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, and possible jaw joint problems. These problems can lead to chronic headaches and face or neck pain. Dr. Collazo is pleased to be able to offer his many years of training, his experience and skill to diagnose and correct irregularities of the bite, jaws (facial orthopedics) and temporomandibular joints. Your teeth can last a lifetime if they're properly aligned and well cared for.

What kind of braces will I wear? Will I need to make changes to my lifestyle?

With the latest techniques and superior materials, we have braces to fit any lifestyle!  A majority of our children and adolescent patients wear the metal brackets which are much smaller and more comfortable than they used to be. We also offer clear (non-staining) or ceramic brackets which are less noticeable. Invisalign "aligners" are a perfect choice to straighten your teeth without anyone knowing (certain restrictions apply) and lingual braces (ones that go behind your teeth) may be appropriate in some cases. You can do almost anything with braces - sing, play a musical instrument, dine out and even have your picture taken. Dr. Collazo provides custom-made braces, retainers or other corrective appliances based on your needs and your lifestyle.

Payment and Office Policies

Orthodontic treatment is an excellent investment in the overall dental, medical and psychological well being of adults and children.
Treatment is more affordable today than ever. The cost of treatment depends on the severity of patient's bite (malocclusion) as well as the length of treatment.

We offer a variety of convenient payment plans including a "no down" payment plan and "interest free" financing plan. In addition, many dental insurance plans now include orthodontic benefits. Dollar for dollar, when you consider the lifetime benefit of braces, they are truly a great value!

Insurance & Flexible Plans

If you have insurance we will assist you in determining what benefits are available to you. Our financial administrator will work with you in coordinating your insurance benefits with our treatment plan. Financial considerations should not be an obstacle to obtaining this important health service. Being sensitive to the fact that people's needs are different in fulfilling their financial obligations, Dr. Collazo's office has several options to meet your need.

Many employers offer flex plans to assist in this wonderful tax saving opportunity available to their employees. It may also be utilized for orthodontic treatment. Pre-taxed dollars are set aside in a specialized account as designated by the employee. The employee in turn must use the monies out of this account for medical or dental needs. As this is a  special account established by the employer, we will be happy to provide any necessary receipts for the employee to be reimbursed.

Problems & Treatments

Dr. Collazo offers these early warning signs which may indicate that your child needs to see an orthodontic specialist:

• Overlapping or crowding of erupting permanent teeth
• Thumb or finger sucking
• Broken or missing teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Open-mouth breathing
• Jaws that tend to click, pop or lock
• A developing underbite, overbite or other abnormal bite development.
• Grinding or clinching of teeth
• Early or late loss of teeth

Dr. Mel Collazo's primary concern is to provide the best treatment available for our patients. We take a genuine, personal interest in every patient. That's why we spend time listening to our patient's concerns and needs.

Orthodontic treatment is an excellent investment in the overall dental, medical and psychological well being of children and adults. Financial considerations should not be an obstacle to obtaining this important health service. Being sensitive to the fact that people's needs are different in fulfilling their financial obligations, Dr. Collazo's office has several options to meet your needs.

Orthodontic treatment is always a change for the better, regardless of your age. When you consider the cost of orthodontic treatment, also consider the lifelong benefits of a healthy, beautiful smile. Many former patients have said that it is the best investment they ever made - an investment in themselves! "A smile may only last a moment, but the memory of it can last a lifetime!"

Your teeth can last a lifetime if they're properly aligned and well cared for. Unfortunately, dental and jaw abnormalities do often occur. Teeth can be impacted (or trapped in the jaw bone)... They can be rotated... crowded... improperly spaced, or even missing completely. The good news is that Dr. Collazo has the knowledge and skills to correct these problems.