Orthodontic treatment can begin at various ages, depending on the individual’s dental needs. Here’s a general guideline:

1. Early Childhood (Ages 7-10):
   The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this age, our doctors can identify potential issues with jaw growth and emerging teeth. Early treatment, also known as Phase I treatment, can help guide the growth of the jaw and the eruption of permanent teeth, potentially preventing more severe problems later.
2. Pre-Teens and Teens (Ages 11-18):
   This is the most common age range for orthodontic treatment. By this time, most or all of the permanent teeth have erupted, and the jaw is still growing, making it an ideal time for braces or aligners. Treatment during these years can address alignment, bite, and spacing issues effectively.
3. Adults:
   Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for kids and teens. Many adults seek orthodontic care to correct long-standing issues or to improve their smile and oral health. Modern treatment options like clear aligners or clear braces make orthodontic care more discreet and convenient for adults.

Orthodontic treatment offers numerous benefits, both cosmetic and health-related. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Improved Aesthetics:

• Enhanced Smile: Orthodontic treatment straightens teeth, closes gaps, and corrects alignment, resulting in a more attractive smile.
• Boosted Confidence: A better smile can significantly increase self-esteem and confidence in social and professional situations.

2. Better Oral Health:

• Easier Cleaning: Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, reducing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
• Reduced Wear and Tear: Proper alignment of teeth prevents uneven wear and tear on enamel, which can lead to damage over time.

3. Improved Functionality:

• Corrected Bite: Orthodontic treatment can correct bite issues such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite, leading to better chewing and speaking abilities.
• Jaw Alignment: Proper alignment of the jaw can alleviate issues such as jaw pain, TMJ disorders, and headaches caused by misalignment.

4. Prevention of Future Dental Problems:

• Prevents Tooth Loss: Correcting alignment and spacing issues can prevent overcrowding or excessive gaps, reducing the risk of tooth loss.
• Minimizes Risk of Injury: Protruding front teeth are more susceptible to injury, especially in children. Orthodontic treatment can help protect these teeth.

5. Long-Term Savings:

• Avoid Complex Procedures: By addressing issues early, orthodontic treatment can prevent the need for more complex and expensive dental procedures in the future, such as extractions, implants, or surgery.

6. Overall Well-Being:

• Better Digestion: Properly aligned teeth improve chewing efficiency, aiding in better digestion and overall health.
• Speech Improvement: Correcting alignment and bite issues can also improve speech, especially if the patient had difficulties caused by malocclusion.

Orthodontic treatment offers a comprehensive approach to improving not just the appearance of your smile, but also the overall health and function of your teeth and jaws.

We offer a range of orthodontic treatments tailored to meet your specific needs:
Traditional Braces: Effective for correcting various dental misalignments using metal or ceramic brackets and wires.
Clear Aligners: Virtually invisible aligners that gradually shift teeth into alignment, offering a discreet orthodontic option.
Functional Appliances: Devices used to address jaw discrepancies and improve bite function in growing patients.
Retainers: Custom-made appliances to maintain teeth alignment post-treatment and prevent relapse.

Our doctors are very conservative in their approach to removing teeth, however, removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Whether or not you will need to have teeth extracted for braces depends on several factors specific to your individual case. Here are some of the key considerations our orthodontists evaluate:

1. Severity of Crowding:

• If your teeth are severely crowded and there isn’t enough space in your jaw to align them properly, tooth extractions may be recommended to create the necessary room. This is particularly common in cases where there is significant overcrowding.

2. Jaw Size and Shape:

• The size and shape of your jaw play a significant role in determining whether extractions are necessary. If your jaw is small, it may not have enough space to accommodate all of your teeth, leading to the need for extractions.

3. Bite Alignment:

• If you have a severe overbite, underbite, or other bite issues, extractions might be necessary to help align your bite correctly. In some cases, orthodontists may extract teeth to help correct the bite without the need for more invasive procedures like surgery.

4. Protrusion of Teeth:

• If your front teeth protrude significantly, extractions may be recommended to bring the teeth back and achieve a more balanced profile.

5. Orthodontic Treatment Goals:

• The specific goals of your orthodontic treatment will also influence whether extractions are needed. If the goal is to achieve a significant improvement in alignment or bite, extractions may be necessary to achieve the best result.

6. Alternatives to Extractions:

• In some cases, orthodontists may use alternative techniques to avoid extractions, such as expanding the dental arch or using interproximal reduction (IPR) to create space between teeth. Modern orthodontic techniques often aim to minimize the need for extractions.

7. Age and Growth Considerations:

• Younger patients whose jaws are still growing may have more options for creating space without extractions, such as using expanders or other growth-modifying devices. Adults, whose jaws are fully developed, may have fewer alternatives to extraction if space is needed.

It’s a common misconception that a child’s teeth will straighten on their own as they age. In reality, teeth are more likely to become more crowded or misaligned over time, not less. Here’s why:

1. Natural Growth Patterns:

• As a child grows, their jaws and facial bones develop, which can sometimes cause teeth to shift. If the jaws grow unevenly or if there isn’t enough space for all the teeth, this can lead to crowding or misalignment.

2. Eruption of Permanent Teeth:

• When a child’s permanent teeth begin to emerge (usually around age 6-12), they often come in larger than the baby teeth they replace. This can cause crowding or misalignment, especially if the mouth is small.

3. Oral Habits:

• Habits like thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or prolonged use of a pacifier can affect the alignment of teeth and the shape of the jaw, potentially leading to misalignment as a child grows.

4. Lack of Space:

• If a child’s mouth doesn’t have enough space for all the teeth to fit properly, they may overlap or become crooked. As a child ages, this lack of space often becomes more pronounced, not less.

5. Prevention and Early Intervention:

• Early orthodontic intervention, if necessary, can guide the growth of the jaws and the eruption of teeth, helping to prevent severe misalignment issues in the future.