Orthodontics for children

While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a visit to the orthodontist around age seven.

By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, which makes it easier for us to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.

Early treatment allows the orthodontist to:

• • Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
• • Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
• • Create more space for crowded teeth
• • Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
• • Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems

Some things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an Orthodontist:

• • Early or late loss of baby teeth
• • A hard time chewing or biting food
• • Mouth breathing
• • Finger or thumb sucking
• • Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
• • Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
• • Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
• • Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
• • Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation. Early treatment now will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.

Orthodontics for Teens

Don’t worry! Braces aren’t nearly as scary as you may think. In fact, today they come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors, which makes life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past.

How long will I have to wear braces:

The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on three key factors:

• Early treatment — Early treatment enables orthodontists to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if it becomes necessary.


• What needs correction — The amount of treatment needed to correct a problem will determine how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently. Treatment times can vary, depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the show-stopping smile you desire.


• YOU! — Your willingness to use the appliances your orthodontist gives you plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment.

Orthodontics for Adults

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance.

Common reasons why adults consider orthodontic treatment

• • A bad bite or malocclusion, which causes teeth to fit together incorrectly
• • Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly leading to tooth decay or gum disease
• • Abnormal jaw pain, or pressure caused by crooked teeth
• • Desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile

To learn more about the benefits of adult orthodontics, please contact our practice to schedule an appointment. We understand you have a busy schedule, and we will work with you to make sure each office visit is as convenient as possible.