For All Ages

Orthodontics for Children

While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends visiting the orthodontist around age 7.

By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.

Early treatment allows your orthodontist to:

Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
Create more space for crowded teeth
Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems

For parents, it's not always easy to know if your child may need orthodontic treatment.

Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:

Early or late loss of baby teeth
A hard time chewing or biting food
Mouth breathing
Finger or thumb sucking
Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

Schedule an appointment.

Orthodontics for Teens

Advancements in science and technology have really changed how teenagers can be treated in orthodontics today.

Many teenage patients now have the option to select between braces and Invisalign to straighten their teeth. At your first visit, Dr. Rankin and Dr. Fiume will review which treatment options are available to you based on your treatment needs.

If braces are the best option, don’t worry! Braces today come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors. This makes life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past. We offer clear (ceramic) braces, lingual (invisible) braces, and traditional metal braces. For more information about braces, click here.

Schedule an appointment.

Orthodontics for Adults

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, close to 40% of the patients we treat are adults! Many adults choose to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance.

Here are a few common reasons why adults consider orthodontic treatment:

A bad bite causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly causing tooth decay or gum disease
Abnormal jaw pain, or pressure that is caused by crooked teeth
Desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile
Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a child or teen
Relapse from previous orthodontic treatment

Treatment options for adults

With advancements in science and technology adults now have a variety of different treatment options to choose from to straighten teeth:

We understand that you have a busy schedule, and we will work with you to make sure each office visit is as convenient as possible. Schedule an appointment.