Some people are surprised to learn that receiving orthodontic care is about more than just the appearance of one’s smile. While having straight teeth is one obvious benefit to wearing braces, having properly aligned teeth provides oral health benefits, too. Healthy tooth alignment can greatly reduce the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, untimely tooth wear, TMJ disorder, and other issues related to one’s occlusion.

The American Dental Association encourages parents and caregivers to schedule orthodontic evaluations for children by the age of seven. Visiting an orthodontist at this age can help address potential problems associated with tooth transition (the period of losing baby teeth to make room for adult teeth) and the development/growth of facial bones. In some cases, orthodontic treatment may be broken into two phases. The first phase, interceptive orthodontics, usually occurs between the ages of six and ten. This phase of treatment gives an orthodontist the opportunity to take advantage of still developing bones to address concerns like crowding of teeth and potential occlusal problems. Typical treatment protocols used in early interceptive orthodontics include expanding the palate and guiding jawbone growth. The second phase of treatment will commence during a child’s pre-teen or teenage years, and this phase will focus on moving teeth to healthy positions with conventional braces.

Adults who have never worn braces along with those who have previously had orthodontic treatment can benefit from visiting our practice. Sometimes, previously straightened teeth can shift out of alignment when wisdom teeth come in or after not wearing a retainer for some time. It is not out of the ordinary for adults who have worn braces in the past to wear them again. Moreover, adults who have never had orthodontic treatment might decide that they want to finally achieve a straight smile. In either case, Drs. Adams and McBride can help. We offer a few treatment options tailored to the unique needs of adults including clear braces (Invisalign).