Braces in Queens

Top Orthodontist in Queens, NY

BP Smiles Orthodontics treats Queens children, teens, and adults with metal, ceramic, and lingual braces, led by Dr. Boris Pinhasov, DDS, board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and Program Director of Orthodontics at Maimonides Medical Center. Every case starts with a complimentary consultation, a panoramic X-ray and 3D iTero Lumina scan, and a one-on-one conversation about your timeline, budget, and insurance.

Call (718) 290-9444 to schedule your braces consultation, or book online.

About Braces

Braces are a fixed orthodontic system that uses brackets bonded to your teeth and a connecting archwire to apply continuous, gentle pressure that moves teeth into a planned alignment. Brackets are adjusted at regular intervals, typically every four to six weeks, and the full series of adjustments shifts your teeth and bite into their final position.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age seven so an orthodontist can identify alignment, bite, and jaw-development issues early [1]. Most full braces treatment begins later, around ages 11 to 13, once most adult teeth have erupted. Adults can also be treated with braces at any age.

At BP Smiles Orthodontics, Dr. Pinhasov offers three bracket types so each case can be matched to your priorities for visibility, cost, and treatment complexity: traditional metal, tooth-colored ceramic, and behind-the-teeth lingual braces.

Benefits of Braces

Braces work for the broadest range of orthodontic cases of any treatment we offer. Patients who choose braces at BP Smiles see consistent advantages:

• Treats the full range of cases. From mild crowding to severe bite issues, braces can correct what other systems cannot.
• Continuous force. Unlike removable aligners, fixed brackets work 24 hours a day. There is nothing to forget.
• Three bracket choices. Metal for durability and value, ceramic for a tooth-colored look, lingual for fully hidden treatment.
• Bite correction. Comprehensive braces treatment corrects overbites, underbites, and crossbites alongside crooked teeth.
• Predictable timeline. Most cases run 12 to 36 months. Dr. Pinhasov gives you a projected treatment length at the consultation.
• Proven over decades. Braces have the longest clinical track record of any orthodontic system.
• Compatible with prior dental work. Special bonding materials let us cement brackets onto crowns and veneers.

Ideal Candidates for Braces

Braces work for almost any orthodontic case, including:

• Crowded or overlapping teeth
• Spacing or gaps
• Mild, moderate, and severe overbite, underbite, or crossbite
• Tooth rotation, including significant rotation
• Complex jaw or bite alignment cases
• Children, teens, and adults of any age
• Patients with crowns or veneers (special bonding materials are used)
• Patients with dental implants (the implants do not move, but neighboring teeth can be aligned around them)

Some conditions need to be resolved before braces treatment can begin. Active periodontal disease must be treated by a periodontist or general dentist first. TMJ pain or dysfunction is generally evaluated by a TMJ specialist before orthodontic treatment, since braces are not a guaranteed TMJ fix. Untreated cavities should be handled by your general dentist before bonding brackets. During your consultation, Dr. Pinhasov reviews your X-rays and bite assessment to confirm braces are the right approach, or recommend an alternative.

Personal Consultation with Dr. Pinhasov

Dr. Boris Pinhasov, DDS, is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and serves as Program Director of Orthodontics at Maimonides Medical Center. He completed dental training at NYU College of Dentistry and has practiced orthodontics in Queens for over 20 years. Consultations are available in English, Hebrew, and Russian.

A braces consultation with Dr. Pinhasov covers:

• A digital 3D iTero Lumina scan of your teeth and a panoramic X-ray review
• A full bite assessment, including evaluation for any TMJ, gum, or restorative concerns that need to be addressed first
• Discussion of bracket options (metal, ceramic, lingual) and which is right for your case
• Clear pricing, total case cost, projected treatment timeline (typically 12 to 36 months), and expected adjustment cadence
• Insurance verification, plus interest-free in-house financing options walked through with you
• Time to ask every question, with no pressure to commit

Call (718) 290-9444 or book your consultation online.

Preparation for Braces

Once you and Dr. Pinhasov agree on a treatment plan, here is what to expect in the weeks leading up to your bonding appointment:

• Two weeks before: Schedule a routine cleaning with your general dentist. Clean teeth take brackets better and stay healthier through treatment.
• Resolve any pending dental work first. If you have untreated cavities, active gum disease, or a tooth that needs a crown or filling, complete that work before brackets are bonded. Dr. Pinhasov will coordinate timing with your general dentist or specialist.
• Stock up on soft foods. The first few days after bonding can feel tender. Yogurt, smoothies, soft pasta, eggs, and soup are easy options.
• Day of bonding: The visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Dr. Pinhasov cleans, etches, and bonds each bracket, then runs the archwire and ties it in place. You will leave with brackets in place and an orthodontic wax kit for any spots that need extra comfort.
• Bring: Insurance card, a list of any medications, and any prior dental X-rays not already in our records.

The Braces Treatment Process at BP Smiles

Treatment with braces moves through four phases.

Choosing your bracket type. During your consultation, Dr. Pinhasov reviews three options:

• Traditional metal braces are the most efficient option for the broadest range of cases. They are the most affordable and the most durable.
• Ceramic braces use tooth-colored brackets that blend with your enamel. The mechanics are the same as metal; the difference is how visible they are.
• Lingual braces are bonded to the back of the teeth, completely hidden from the front. They suit patients who want fully invisible treatment without removing aligners for meals.

Bonding (60 to 90 minutes). Dr. Pinhasov cleans, etches, and bonds each bracket to the front (or back, for lingual) of every tooth in treatment. The archwire is threaded through the brackets and tied with elastic bands or self-ligating clips. You leave with the appliance in place.

Adjustment phase (12 to 36 months total). You return every four to six weeks. At each visit, Dr. Pinhasov tightens or replaces the archwire to continue moving your teeth toward the planned alignment. Most cases finish in 12 to 24 months; complex cases (severe bite issues, surgical cases, growth-pattern considerations) can run closer to 36 months.

Removal and retention. Once your teeth reach the planned position, brackets and wires are removed in a single appointment. Dr. Pinhasov fits you with a retainer. Retainer wear is essential. Without it, teeth tend to drift back toward their original position.

Recovery and Life with Braces

Braces do not have a recovery period in the surgical sense, but the first week and the first day or two after each adjustment can feel tender. Most patients adjust within a few days.

What You Can and Cannot Eat

Sticky, chewy, and hard foods cause brackets to break and wires to bend. Avoid gum, taffy, caramels, hard candy, popcorn kernels, ice, and chewing on pens or fingernails. Cut tough or fibrous foods (whole apples, raw carrots, bagels, jerky) into small pieces before eating. Off-limits is temporary; once your braces come off, everything is back on the menu.

Keeping Your Teeth Clean

Brush after every meal. Floss daily using a floss threader or water flosser to clean around the wire. Poor oral hygiene during treatment increases the risk of cavities, gum inflammation, and white-spot decalcification marks that can be permanent. If gum problems develop during treatment, Dr. Pinhasov may pause active orthodontic care until they are resolved.

Comfort After Adjustments

The first 24 to 48 hours after a tightening visit are usually the most tender. Soft foods, an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed, and orthodontic wax for any bracket that is irritating your cheek or lip will get you through. The discomfort is mild and fades quickly.

Playing Sports With Braces

Use a mouthguard for any contact sport. We can fit you with an orthodontic mouthguard that protects both your teeth and your appliance. If a bracket is loosened or a wire is bent during play, call our office at (718) 290-9444; we will see you for a quick repair.

Broken Bracket or Poking Wire

If a bracket comes loose, a wire is poking, or anything else feels wrong, call (718) 290-9444 right away. Most braces emergencies can be handled with a same-day or next-day visit. In the meantime, orthodontic wax (in your kit) covers any spot that is irritating your cheek. For broader information on what we treat, see our orthodontic emergencies page.

Results and Maintenance

Most braces cases at BP Smiles run 12 to 36 months from bonding to removal. Treatment time depends on the patient’s age, growth pattern, complexity of the bite issue, and whether surgical or auxiliary treatment is needed alongside braces.

What to expect over the course of treatment:

• First few weeks. Subtle alignment changes; teeth begin to move into the planned positions.
• Mid-treatment (months 6 to 18). Crowding eases, gaps close, and bite improvements become visible. Each adjustment visit refines the position.
• Final months. Fine adjustments to align the bite precisely, set tooth angulation, and finalize the aesthetic result.
• Removal day. Brackets and wires come off in one appointment. Teeth feel slightly different at first; that is normal.
• Retention. Once active treatment ends, you wear a retainer to hold the result. Retention is permanent in the sense that teeth always want to drift back. Consistent retainer wear is what protects the months or years you spent in treatment.

Comprehensive braces treatment corrects more than tooth alignment. The bite (overbite, underbite, crossbite) is also corrected during the process, which improves how your teeth function for chewing and reduces uneven wear over time.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Braces are one of several orthodontic options at BP Smiles. Depending on your case, Dr. Pinhasov may discuss any of the following during your consultation:

• Invisalign clear aligners for mild to moderate cases where you want a removable, nearly invisible alternative to brackets.
• Orthodontics for teens covers braces, Invisalign Teen, and timing considerations specific to growing patients.
• Orthodontics for children including the first orthodontic evaluation, recommended around age seven, and any early interceptive treatment that might be needed.
• Adult orthodontics covers braces and Invisalign for adults, with specific timeline and retention considerations.
• Brava by BRIUS is a behind-the-teeth alternative that combines the invisibility of lingual braces with the comfort of self-positioning bracket technology.
• Orthodontic emergencies for what to do if a bracket loosens, a wire pokes, or any other appliance issue comes up between visits.

If your case needs work that we do not perform in-office (for example, treatment of active periodontal disease, wisdom-tooth removal, or restorative work like fillings or crowns), Dr. Pinhasov coordinates the referral and timing so it does not disrupt your orthodontic plan.

Cost of Braces in Queens, NY

Braces at our Queens office range from $2,500 to $6,000 for the entire treatment, depending on case complexity and the bracket type you choose:

• Traditional metal braces are the most affordable option.
• Ceramic braces sit in the middle of the range; you are paying for the tooth-colored aesthetic, not different mechanics.
• Lingual braces are at the upper end of the range. Lingual brackets are custom-fit to the back surface of each tooth, which is a more involved fabrication and bonding process.

Our quote includes all routine adjustment visits during the treatment period and your first set of retainers at the end. After your iTero scan, X-rays, and bite assessment, Dr. Pinhasov gives you the exact case cost up front so there are no surprises.

Financing: Financing is available interest-free in our office. Plans are tailored to each patient’s needs.

Insurance: Many dental plans include orthodontic benefits that cover part of braces treatment, especially for children and teens. Some plans have age limits or lifetime maximums on orthodontic coverage. We work with most plans that include orthodontic benefits and verify your coverage before your appointment so you know exactly what is covered before you commit. Call (718) 290-9444 with your insurance information and we can check your benefits in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment With Braces Take?

Braces treatment usually takes anywhere from 12 to 36 months, depending on the age of the patient, growth pattern, surgical necessity, and case complexity. During your consultation, Dr. Pinhasov gives you a projected treatment length specific to your case.

How Often Are Adjustment Appointments Required During Braces?

Four to six weeks is the average time between adjustment appointments. At each visit, Dr. Pinhasov tightens or replaces the archwire to continue moving your teeth toward their final position.

Can I Get Braces If I Have a Crown or Veneer?

Yes. We have special bonding materials that allow us to cement brackets onto crowns and veneers, so braces are definitely possible.

Can I Get Braces If I Have Dental Implants?

Yes. Patients with dental implants can still get braces to improve the alignment of their teeth. The implants themselves cannot be moved, but we can adjust the neighboring teeth and improve the bite around them.

Can I Get Braces With Periodontal Disease?

We cannot begin orthodontic treatment if you have active periodontal disease. The condition must be resolved by a periodontist or general dentist first. Once the disease is no longer active, treatment can proceed.

Can I Get a Root Canal During Braces Treatment?

Yes. If a tooth has an issue during your braces treatment, you can still undergo root canal treatment safely. The procedure can be performed even with braces in place.

Do Braces Fix an Underbite?

Braces can definitely fix underbites, depending on the severity. For mild cases, braces are very effective. In more severe cases, additional treatments may be necessary to fully correct the underbite.

What Foods Should I Avoid While Wearing Braces?

Sticky, chewy, and hard foods cause brackets to break and wires to bend. Avoid gum, taffy, caramels, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and ice. Cut tough or fibrous foods like whole apples, raw carrots, and bagels into small pieces before eating.

At What Age Should My Child See an Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial consultation by age seven. Treatment usually does not start that early; most cases begin around ages 11 to 13, when adult teeth have erupted. The age-seven evaluation lets us catch any big issues early and plan timing.

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