Here’s a piece of financial advice you won’t hear from your accountant, but should: if you or your child has been thinking about braces or clear aligners, the smartest weeks of the entire year to start are the ones right in front of you. Not because teeth care about the calendar — but because your benefits absolutely do.

At Matza Orthodontics in Boca Raton, Dr. Barry Matza and Dr. Heather Ercolano have guided families through this timing for decades. Here’s the year-end math they walk patients through every fall.

Three Pots of Money With a Deadline

Your FSA balance. If you have a Flexible Spending Account through work, those dollars are use-it-or-lose-it — most plans forfeit unspent balances at year-end. Orthodontic treatment is a qualified expense, which makes starting treatment now one of the best possible uses of a balance you’d otherwise lose. And here’s the lesser-known part: next year, you can elect new FSA contributions with treatment already underway — planned properly, two plan-years can help fund one smile.

Your orthodontic insurance benefit. Many dental plans include a lifetime orthodontic benefit. Starting treatment before year-end can begin drawing on this year’s plan payments, and the Matza Orthodontics front office will verify exactly what your plan offers — before you commit to anything.

Your calendar. The consultation, records, and treatment-planning phase takes a visit or two. Starting that process now means your start date lands while the year’s benefits are still in play, instead of watching the deadline pass from a January waiting list.

Why Starting Now Beats Starting “After the Holidays”

“After the holidays” is the most expensive phrase in orthodontics. Beyond the benefits math, there’s a practical rhythm to a fall start:

Adjustment happens during the calm. The first weeks with braces or aligners involve a little getting used to. Starting now means that adjustment period is behind you before the season’s biggest dinners — yes, including the Thanksgiving table.

Progress compounds quietly. Orthodontic treatment measures progress in months. A fall start means visible movement by spring — and for many patients, a dramatically different smile by this time next year.

Kids’ schedules cooperate. School routines make appointment rhythms easier to keep than summer chaos does.

Braces or Clear Aligners? Boca Raton’s 30-Year Answer

Whichever route fits — traditional braces or clear aligners — the outcome depends far more on who’s directing the treatment than which appliance you choose. Dr. Matza brings more than 30 years of board-certified orthodontic experience, and together with Dr. Ercolano, Matza Orthodontics treats every age from first phase to adult. The before-and-after results speak the loudest; the consultation is where your own before-and-after begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really use FSA funds for orthodontics? Yes — braces and clear aligners are qualified FSA expenses. With most balances forfeiting at year-end, starting treatment now puts expiring dollars to work.

What if my insurance has an orthodontic lifetime maximum? Matza Orthodontics verifies your exact benefit before treatment begins, and structures payments so your coverage works as hard as possible.

Is it awkward to start braces right before the holidays? The adjustment period is shorter than most people fear — start now and you’ll be comfortably settled before the big gatherings, with the year-end benefits captured.

Are clear aligners as effective as braces? For many cases, yes — and for some, braces remain the better tool. That’s exactly what a consultation with Dr. Matza or Dr. Ercolano sorts out honestly.

The Deadline Is Real. The Consultation Is Easy.

Don’t let expiring benefits — or another year of “thinking about it” — cost your family a smile. Book a consultation and lets get your questions answered! We can’t wait to meet you.

Schedule your consultation with Matza Orthodontics: https://matzaorthodontics.com/contact/ 

Call Matza Orthodontics: 561.368.3480 

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