The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children get an orthodontic check-up no later than the age of 7. This is when most growth and development issues of the jaws become apparent.

Most people think of teenagers when they think of orthodontics, but there are good reasons for children to be evaluated much sooner. We offer Growth and Development Evaluations for children free of charge so we can detect and treat issues before they become more serious.

All orthodontists started as dentists, but they are dental specialists who have two to three years of additional training beyond dental school. This training allows them to diagnose orthodontic issues and form customized treatment plans to guide teeth and jaws into alignment.

An orthodontist’s expertise allows them to create smiles that are just as functional as they are beautiful. Only those with formal additional specialty education may call themselves “orthodontists” due to the high level of training involved in properly treating orthodontic patients.

Most orthodontic issues are genetic. These include:crowding, spacing, extra or missing teeth, underbites, protrusions, periodontal disease, and jaw growth issues.

Some issues can also be caused by finger or thumb sucking, mouth trauma, early or late loss of baby teeth, chronic mouth breathing, or premature birth among other causes.

Absolutely! Orthodontic treatment is becoming more and more popular with adults. In fact, one in four orthodontic patients is over the age of 18! Today’s treatment options are more discreet, efficient, and comfortable than ever, so it’s never been a better time to straighten your smile.

Clear ceramic braces, Invisalign® clear aligners, and discreet Spark aligners are all great options for adult patients.

Misalignment of your teeth and jaws can cause abnormal wear, excess stress on bone structures, and difficulty chewing or speaking. It can also make it harder to keep your teeth clean, which puts you at higher risk of tooth decay.

Without treatment, many of these issues can lead to more-extensive dental treatments later in life. Orthodontics is more than just straightening teeth; it can provide the foundation for better tooth and jaw health.

You can still eat most of your favorite foods during treatment with braces. You should just avoid particularly hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could dislodge your brackets. You should also avoid excess sugars, including soda and juices.

Your orthodontist will be able to give you a better understanding of what foods you should or shouldn’t eat. If you are concerned about limits to your diet, you may prefer treatment with removable clear aligners, since your diet won’t be affected by treatment.

We recommend keeping a toothbrush with you throughout the day so you can brush after every meal or snack. This is important because brackets provide extra places for food and bacteria to hide. Brushing your teeth as often as possible will help to protect them during treatment.

At The Aligner Studio, every custom treatment comes with a custom cost. Rest assured that we keep our prices competitive and affordable, and offer 0% interest in-house financing, monthly payment plans, family discounts, and more to help you budget your treatment.

When you come in for your free consultation we will be able to discuss the costs for your specific case.

All of our treatment plans are 100% customized. Because everyone’s smile needs and goals are different, treatment times vary too! Some of our patients complete treatment in just 3-5 office visits. Others take longer.

Of course, if you have a discreet and convenient treatment like Spark aligners, it won’t get in the way of your lifestyle, so you don’t need to worry so much about the length. We can give you an accurate estimate of treatment length when you come in for your free consultation.

Braces can be fitted at any age. Whether you are 7 or 70, modern orthodontic technology has given us the tools to make your treatment more effective than ever. If you’ve been thinking about improving the look and health of your smile, now is the time!

We do our best to limit disruptions to your schedule during treatment. One way we do this is by offering the Dental Monitoring app for clear aligner patients. This allows us to remotely monitor your treatment progress, so you don’t need to commute to our office for appointments.

Our doctors specialize in treating difficult clear aligner cases. 9 out of 10 patients who come to our office can be treated with Spark aligners. If you’ve been told in the past that you weren’t a candidate for clear aligners, visit our team for a second opinion.