The True Cost of Orthodontics

“How much does orthodontic treatment cost?”  This is a question that is prominently on the minds of prospective patients who are in need of treatment.  We receive phone calls each day from those who want to know our exact fee prior to making an appointment.  However, from our perspective, it is tough to quote a price without first having the doctor evaluate the case.  Each patient’s situation is very different; a person may be a candidate for full comprehensive treatment or perhaps limited treatment is required – there is also the option of metal, clear, or lingual braces.  Other situations include Phase 1 treatment or appliance therapy for children and Invisalign for adults who want full discretion about their treatment.   

At Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics, we offer a free consultation with Dr. Jenny Zhu.  She will evaluate your case, answer all of your questions, and address all of your concerns.  After your consultation, we will discuss the actual treatment fee with you in private – if you have insurance coverage, we will take that into account and prepare all the necessary paperwork on your behalf.  The out of pocket fee that we quote you is exactly what you will pay – nothing more with no hidden costs.  Our fee covers everything from brand new braces, all of your regular appointments, emergency visits (sometimes a bracket may break off or a wire will become dislodged), a full set of retainers at the end of treatment, plus a one time free replacement of your retainers if you ever lose or break them.  On top of that, we will continue to monitor your case for up to five years after your treatment is completed to ensure that your teeth remain as perfect as possible. 

At Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics, we take pride in keeping our office clean and all our instruments sterilized.  We truly believe that if you operate in an ethical manner, treat everybody with honesty and respect, and offer a fair price, people will recognize the full value in that.

With something as important as the smile on your face, it is best to choose a caring qualified doctor and quality office, over a cheap low price.  Often times an initial cheap low price is filled with hidden and unexpected charges such as severity fees, late fees, emergency visit fees, broken bracket fees, retainer fees, and interest charges.  But worse of all, it may cost you more in the long run in terms of frustration, long waiting times, poor customer service, and bad treatment from an under qualified and uncaring doctor. 

At Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics, we are confident that those who start treatment with us will agree that the overall value is unsurpassed.  In Dr. Jenny Zhu, we have one of the best and brightest young orthodontist in the field today.  Upon achieving her DDS degree from NYU, she studied orthodontics exclusively for three extra years at Columbia University – the nation’s top school for orthodontics.  The staff here is friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable of the latest advances in orthodontics.  We will go above and beyond to ensure that you feel comfortable and confident with the treatment process, the treatment fee, and overall value that is given to you.  Call us today at (212) 274-0477 for a no obligation free consultation with Dr. Jenny Zhu.  Please visit our website at www.ManhattanBridgeOrtho.com to find out more about our office.

About Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics, New York City

Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics, located in NYC,  is owned by Dr. Jenny Zhu. Upon attaining my MBA from Baruch College in May of 2008, I was approached by Dr. Zhu to help set up this new office. Fresh out of b-school with a finance and marketing degree, I was very excited about this new challenge. We finally opened our doors in December of 2008, and today I feel that this office has become one of the top orthodontic specialty practices in New York City. Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics is truly a customer focused practice – we make it a priority to ensure that all of our patients are greeted with a smile and treated with friendliness and respect. Most importantly, we have one of the best doctors in the field – Dr. Jenny Zhu is the best orthodontist that I have ever seen. Not only does she have excellent clinical skills (MS in Orthodontics from Columbia University), she is also great at communicating with patients and parents to make them feel comfortable about their treatment.

Dr. Jenny Zhu has quite a compelling story to tell. www.ManhattanBridgeOrtho.com/drzhu.html.  As a child, her mother, not knowing any better options, took her to a horrible general dentist in Chinatown who also advertises “orthodontics” as one of his services. I put orthodontics in quotes because even today we are not sure if what he does really counts as orthodontics. And so the story goes, this doctor who runs his office like a mill, simply churning out patients and collecting their insurance money, ruined Jenny’s bite for many years. Eventually, she had to get braces again from a real orthodontist (a doctor who actually has a degree in orthodontics – not somebody who simply took a two week course on the subject). She used this experience as motivation to get herself into NYU’s dental school and then to Columbia University to specialize in Orthodontics. Dr. Jenny Zhu’s goal has always been to provide the people of the community where she grew up with the best clinical care and service that they deserve – something that is hard to come by.

Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics is also a fully digital office. Treatment charts and patient registration information are entered electronically. We also have a digital x-ray machine that produces diagnostic images with minimal radiation exposure – about 75% less than traditional methods. These images are displayed instantly on our workstations without the need for any conventional film and dangerous chemicals. Our goal is to take advantage of new technologies in the field of orthodontics and to eliminate unnecessary paperwork – saving trees in the process.

Running this office has been a great experience for me. I am able to utilize all my skills to make this office successful. My philosophy is that there are two types of businesses, those that follow and those that innovate. We are trying to be a leader in this market by differentiating ourselves from the pack through our unmatched level of customer care. Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics is located at 145 Canal St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10002. As you may have already guessed, we are situated near the Manhattan Bridge – right near the south corner of Canal St and Bowery. Call our office at (212) 274-0477 or visit our website at www.ManhattanBridgeOrtho.com.

When Did Chinatown Become a Bus Depot?

My beloved neighborhood is facing a severe crisis – Chinatown has become a bus depot generating tons of pollution and congestion.  I lived here my entire life and have seen many changes.  However, this one has a profound negative impact on the entire community.  Today, almost every street here is a pick up and drop off spot for large buses. 

Everyday, there are buses going to Atlantic City casinos or Foxwoods parked along Bowery and Division Streets.  These buses attract all sorts of dirty bums, the terminally unemployed and other types of riff raffs.  These buses have been operating in Chinatown for many years now and it is usually the same bunch of folks that get on – I lived here long enough to recognize most of these people.  They loiter in the middle of these busy streets smoking their Marlboro cigarettes, spitting, and littering their trash as they wait for the next bus to Bally’s. 

It is a known fact that the Chinese are attracted to games of chance and luck – we love to gamble.  At least six different casino buses each making trips eight times a day, seven days a week, add fuel to this debilitating addiction – they make access to this vice, which erodes any society, way too convenient.  These bus companies, subsidized by the casinos, offer a free buffet along with a gaming voucher worth $20 just for getting on the bus.  Once at the casinos, these individuals are drawn to the false hopes of quick riches. Unfortunately, this is not an addiction they can afford to have. 

A more recent phenomenon is the buses travelling to nearby cities.  Chinatown is now overcrowded with travelers looking for a dirt cheap ride to Boston, Philly, and DC.  Most of these people are simply passing through – they have no interest in the prosperity of my community.  Many streets are crowded with long lines of travelers hauling their luggage blocking the already thin sidewalks and causing heavy pedestrian traffic.  Often times, these buses will be filled to capacity and many are left stranded to loiter and sleep overnight on the streets as they await the next 8 a.m. bus.  Just like the folks that get on the casino buses, these travelers leave behind piles of trash and debris. 

Anyone who ever been to or live in Chinatown knows how narrow the streets are.  Imagine the length of a street lined up with three large buses spewing its fumes as pedestrians pass by – this is a constant daily occurrence and a reality of life here.  The pollution and traffic these buses cause is of great concern to the standard of living in Chinatown.  The economic benefits that are bestowed upon these bus companies and the few sundry shops nearby are far outweighed by the increased litter, high pollution, traffic, and safety issues that these buses generate.

Bus rides to Boston, Philly, or DC cost about $15 each way – with the high price of fuel, maintenance, and other overhead expenses, it is hard to imagine these bus operators enjoying high profit margins.  It is a shame that this is allowed to continue at the expense of this community.  These streets were never meant to be used as a bus depot – that’s why we have the Port Authority Bus Terminal – now get this shit out of here!