You're never too old to begin orthodontic treatment — but if you start at an earlier age, your problems may be easier to treat. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child who may need orthodontic treatment should come in for a first visit around age 7.

You should see an orthodontist any time you have a question about the alignment of your teeth, or the quality of your bite. Sometimes, a problem in this area is painfully obvious. For example, you may have difficulty biting, chewing or speaking, or some of your teeth may be clearly protruding, crowded or misplaced. If that's the case, then it's time to consult with our office — an orthodontist has the special skills and training needed to diagnose and treat the problem.

Other conditions may not be as clear cut. Mouth breathing, clenching or grinding your teeth, and the inability to comfortably close your lips may be signs that orthodontic treatment is needed. Likewise, if your jaws seem to frequently shift in position or make sounds as they move, or if you find you're unintentionally biting your cheek or the roof of your mouth, you may have an orthodontic issue.

An orthodontist is a licensed dentist who specializes in the improvement of dental flaws such as overcrowded teeth, crooked teeth, and over- or under-bites. In order to become an orthodontist, a dentist must complete at least two additional years of coursework that’s specific to the field of orthodontics. An orthodontist evaluates your bite to determine the best solution for your needs, such as braces. A dentist may refer patients to their preferred orthodontist if it’s determined that further oral care is needed beyond the scope of general dentistry.

Common orthodontic issues such as crooked or misaligned teeth are not just unattractive, superficial concerns. They can contribute to a number of more serious problems, including headaches, lockjaw, speech impediments, and bone destruction, just to name a few. That’s why it’s important to talk to your general dentist to see if orthodontics is recommended.

Smile Direct Club is a new company that sends a molding material directly to your house for you to take moulds of your teeth so they can fabricate plastic trays and mail those directly to your house where you can move your teeth without the observation of a dentist.

What most people don’t know is that if you have any with even the slightest periductal breakdown, as evidenced by bleeding gums when you brush or glass you could be pulling your teeth out by wearing these plastic trays.

In the presence of inflammation around the teeth, applying pressure to these teeth causes severe bone loss and because of the inflammation present no new bone is formed. This leads to severely mobile teeth and ultimately tooth loss.

Invisalign on the other hand uses highly advanced plastics to apply extremely light forces to healthy teeth resulting in efficient tooth movement. Unlike the Smile Direct Club, Invisalign requires a certified dentist or orthodontic specialist to use their system.

Unlike Smile Direct Club, Invisalign requires a comprehensive perdocuatal evaluation by a general dentist or periodontal specialist prior to undergoing orthodontic treatment thereby ensuring the predictable healthy movement of teeth.

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 22 months.

The actual cost of treatment depends on several factors, including the severity of your problem and the treatment approach selected.

You should never have to choose between the best provider and a payment you can afford. With our flexible payment options, the power is in your hands – you design a payment plan that fits your budget. It’s easy.

Cost can vary, but the results are priceless.

It doesn't hurt to apply your braces, but for the first week after you've had them put on, your teeth and jaw may ache. If any parts of the braces start to hurt the inside of your mouth, you can apply wax to the braces to smooth things over.

You can also take an aspirin or Disprin to help the ache. Remember - the pain doesn't last very long. It will also help to limit your diet just to soft foods for the first week.

On average, you will see the orthodontist about every six to ten weeks during treatment. This allows the orthodontist make the changes needed to progress through treatment and also allows them to keep an eye on your treatment progress, and monitor the health of your teeth and gums.

Throughout your orthodontic treatment, we’ll help you schedule routine checks which are super quick appointments to adjust your brackets, answer questions and help check progress. These appointments typically take no longer than 15-20 minutes and take place every 6-10 weeks throughout your treatment depending on your needs. If you have Invisalign treatment, these checks occur every 4-6 weeks.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommend that your child be evaluated at or before age 7. Early detection of some orthodontic problems is important in order to take early corrective action and avoid more difficult treatment later.

A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness, and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is “too old” to wear braces!