At Sabinsky Orthodontics in Hillsborough, NJ, we hear the same questions from new patients and families all the time. Here are honest answers to the most common ones. If something is not covered, just call us or stop in.
Yes, completely. Dr. Sabinsky does not believe the first conversation about your smile should cost anything. You leave with information, not a bill. If no treatment is needed yet, you at least have peace of mind. Scheduling is easy through our contact page.
Dr. Sabinsky examines your teeth, jaw, and bite. Depending on what he finds, he may take X-rays, photos, and digital scans. He then walks you through his findings, any treatment options that make sense, and a realistic cost and timeline. The goal is for you to leave genuinely informed.
For families exploring options or unable to come in for a first visit, we offer a brief virtual screening where Dr. Sabinsky can review photos you submit and give an initial impression of whether treatment is needed. A full diagnosis still requires an in-office exam with X-rays and scans, but a virtual screening can help you decide whether to schedule one.
Yes. If you’ve received a treatment recommendation elsewhere and want another perspective, Dr. Sabinsky is happy to review your case. Bring any X-rays, scans, or written treatment plans you already have. The consultation is free, and you’ll get an honest assessment, not a sales pitch.
Records typically include X-rays, clinical photographs, and digital scans. They reveal things a visual exam cannot, like unerupted teeth, root health, jaw growth patterns, and bite relationships in three dimensions. They form the foundation for an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan that actually works. See the technology we use to learn more.
Cost depends on the type of treatment and the complexity of your case. After your examination, Dr. Sabinsky will give you a complete, transparent fee breakdown. No vague ranges and no surprises later.
If your dental plan includes orthodontic benefits, it can meaningfully reduce your out-of-pocket cost. Most plans have a lifetime maximum benefit that applies regardless of treatment type. Our team verifies coverage, files claims on your behalf, and explains exactly what your plan covers before treatment starts.
We offer in-house, interest-free monthly payment plans and accept third-party financing through CareCredit for cases that need longer terms. HSA and FSA funds are accepted for orthodontic treatment. Specific terms are reviewed at your consultation once we know the full scope of treatment.
Yes. We offer flexible payment arrangements to make treatment accessible for families without coverage or with costs beyond their insurance maximum. The details are worked out at your consultation once we know the full scope of treatment.
We offer metal braces, clear ceramic braces, Invisalign, and early interceptive treatment for children when appropriate. A full overview is on our treatments page.
Two strong alternatives: clear ceramic braces in Hillsborough use tooth-colored brackets that blend naturally with your teeth. Invisalign uses a series of custom clear removable aligners. Both are effective for teens and adults. Dr. Sabinsky will recommend the right fit based on your case.
Yes. Invisalign Teen includes compliance indicators built into each tray and replacement aligners for ones that get lost or damaged. For motivated teens with mild to moderate alignment needs, it is a genuinely strong option.
Not at all. Adults with healthy teeth and supporting bone get strong outcomes from orthodontic treatment at any age. We regularly treat patients well into their fifties and sixties.
It depends on complexity. Simple corrections can be finished in 12 months. Involved bite corrections may take 24 months or more. Dr. Sabinsky gives you a realistic timeline after the clinical examination, not a generic range.
Most patients come in every four to eight weeks. Braces patients tend to have slightly more frequent visits than Invisalign patients. Appointments are usually short, around 20 to 30 minutes.
Extractions are much less common today than they used to be, largely thanks to early interceptive treatment. In cases of extreme crowding where all baby teeth are already gone, removal may occasionally be the best option. Dr. Sabinsky weighs every factor, including facial appearance, before ever recommending it.
There is typically some general soreness for the first few days after placement and after each adjustment. The temperature-sensitive, superelastic wires used at our practice apply gradual, consistent pressure that is more comfortable than older wire types. Most patients find it manageable and short-lived.
Yes, more thorough brushing is essential. Brackets create additional surfaces where plaque builds up. We provide detailed oral hygiene and flossing instructions at the bonding appointment and reinforce them at every visit.
Certain foods should be avoided: hard foods like raw carrots and crusty bread, sticky foods like caramel and gummies, and anything excessively chewy. A full dietary guide is provided when braces are placed.
True emergencies are uncommon. Someone is always on call during off-hours if something urgent comes up, such as a poking wire, a broken bracket, or significant unexpected pain. Our team will walk you through what to do until your next appointment.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends age seven. This does not mean treatment starts then. Most children are simply monitored. But assessing jaw development and bite relationships at this age means more options and often simpler treatment later if intervention is eventually needed. Our pediatric orthodontic care page covers what early evaluations involve.
Early treatment addresses problems that are far easier to correct during growth. Common reasons include guiding jaw development, creating space for erupting teeth, correcting crossbites, and reducing the risk of fracturing protruding front teeth. Not every child needs it, but for those who do, timing makes a real clinical difference.
In most cases, yes. Phase one addresses specific developmental concerns. Once all permanent teeth have erupted, a second phase of comprehensive treatment is usually needed to complete alignment and achieve an optimal result. Phase one typically makes phase two shorter and simpler.
During this growth-observation period, the focus is on maintaining corrections from phase one and guiding erupting permanent teeth. Retainers or holding appliances may be worn. Dr. Sabinsky monitors progress carefully because timing matters.
They should not, provided oral hygiene and dietary instructions are followed consistently. Tooth discoloration and gum issues during treatment are almost always linked to inadequate brushing and flossing, not the braces themselves.
Retainers keep your teeth in their new positions after treatment ends. Without retention, teeth naturally drift back. Retainers come in removable and fixed varieties. The type and wear schedule depend on your original case. Dr. Sabinsky provides a specific retention plan at the end of treatment.
A practice that explains what it is doing and why, keeps appointments efficient, and treats every patient as an individual. Dr. Sabinsky graduated cum laude from SUNY Buffalo, completed his orthodontic certification with honors, and has been practicing in Hillsborough for over 15 years. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, and the New Jersey Dental Association.
Have a question not covered here? Reach out to our team or schedule a free consultation with Dr. Sabinsky.