For Children and Adults
For Kids/Teens
It is recommended that children should first visit an orthodontist by age 7. The primary advantage of early treatment is that a child’s natural facial growth can be influenced and augmented to avoid more costly and invasive procedures in the future. Also, as the child experiences rapid skeletal growth, Dr. Gardner can use this natural growth for smile enhancements. Early treatment or phase I treatment is usually completed in 6 to 12 months depending on the needs of the individual child. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, and in many cases avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions. Early treatment can also reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment.
For Adults
No matter what your age, your appearance is an important aspect of your life. If you are unhappy with your smile, have cooked teeth, or an uneven profile, it is never too late to begin orthodontic treatment. In fact, almost 30 percent of orthodontic patients are adults. In addition to enhancing their smiles, many adults seek orthodontic treatment to improve the function of their bite, improving oral health.
For adults that may be concerned about wearing traditional braces, we are pleased to offer the Invisalign Aligners, clear plastic aligners that gradually move teeth into the correct position. We also offer mini stainless steel braces, gold braces, and clear braces.