Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

An orthodontist is a specialist who has completed an advanced education program (usually three years) following dental school, to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.

• A more attractive smile
• Reduced appearance-consciousness during critical development years
• Better function of the teeth
• Possible increase in self-confidence
• Increased ability to clean the teeth
• Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth
• Better long term health of teeth and gums
• Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
• Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
• Aid in optimizing other dental treatment

• Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth, or are bucked
• Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
• Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth (underbite)
• The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)
• Crowded or overlapped teeth The center of the upper and lower teeth do not line up
• Finger or thumb sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old
• Difficulty chewing
• Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
• The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
• Spaces between the teeth

Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist or the child's physician.

Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of 6 & 10.

This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, underbites, or harmful oral habits.

Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment, because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of 11 & 13.

Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are the main components.

When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.

Though it is difficult to predict with certainty the exact duration of your treatment, it is possible to estimate an average treatment length given your individual case. Our doctors will be able to provide you with an estimated treatment time with a range varying from 2-3 months. The average orthodontic time range is two years.

After your braces have been placed, appointment times will vary from 30 minutes to an hour depending on what procedures need to be done. The appointment card printed out for you at your previous appointment will display your next appointment date and time, and will say approximately how long your next appointment will take.

The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the archwires you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to four days.

Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.

No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouth guard when participating in any sporting activity. We are glad to provide complementary mouthguards during your treatment.

Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist every six months for cleanings and dental checkups.

Our highly trained staff assist our doctors in making your appointment fast, efficient and comfortable. They will place and remove wires as well as give a thorough explanation of what is done at each visist. You will find your Patient Manager extremely eager to assist you with any questions or concerns that may arise.

Each of our staff members is unconditionally committed to quality and exceptional service to their patients. With rigorous training and continuing education, our staff has a great deal of experience in the orthodontic field totaling over 300 years.

As general rule, orthodontic wires progress from very light, delicate wires to heavier, more rigid wires depending on the initial alignment of your teeth. Each wire is designed to provide a special force to the teeth to keep them progressing toward the finished result. Please feel free to ask our Patient Manager what each wire is accomplishing at your specific stage in treatment.

While it is extremely difficult even in the middle of treatment to know exactly when the braces will be removed, our doctors will place an estimated treatment completion date at the top of your chart, and the patient manager will be glad to update you at each visit.

You can help keep your treatment time on-track by preventing broken appliances, striving for good oral hygiene and providing good cooperation with rubber bands. We appreciate your understanding if your treatment time is longer than expected; it is often difficult to predict with certainty the exact duration of treatment. On the other hand, if you finish ahead of schedule, we will all celebrate together!