Braces for All Ages in Missoula

Early Orthodontic Treatment

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children start seeing their orthodontist at the age of 7. By this age, most children have a mix of baby  and adult teeth, making it the ideal time for your 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 might indicate 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

Please contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation. Early treatment now will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.

Orthodontics for Teens

Many orthodontists don’t begin treatment on patients until they have reached their teens. At this stage of development, most – if not all – of the adult teeth have grown in. A this stage Dr. Aaron can more accurately diagnose for misalignment, crowding, spacing, and aesthetics. Phase Two  treatment also takes place at this time for the same reasons. Adolescent and Phase Two treatment generally last between 12 and 24 months.

Orthodontics for Adults

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists states that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. More adults than ever are choosing to receive treatment because they want to feel better about their appearance and dental health. It's never too late to start treatment. 

Common reasons why adults consider orthodontic treatment:

• Desire for a more confident smile
• A healthier mouth contributing to improved overall health
• Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly causing tooth decay or gum disease
• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
• Jaw pain, or pressure that is caused by crooked teeth
• Improved Orthodontic Treatments and shorter treatment times than when they were young

Treatment options for adults

For adults, the thought of having metal braces can be intimidating. However, today's orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of options for braces and clear aligners that are aesthetically pleasing,  and more comfortable than ever before. Our adult patients have never been happier with their smiles! 

Options include:

• Traditional metal braces
• Clear braces
• Ceramic braces
• Self-ligating braces
• Lingual (behind the tooth) braces
• Invisalign clear aligners

The difference between adult orthodontics and orthodontics for children and teens:

The main difference to remember when treating adults or children and teens, is that in younger patients the jawbones are still developing. For adults, these bones have stopped growing, which may mean the possibility of orthognathic surgery to align the jawbones. Other differences include:

• Gum or bone loss (periodontal disease) — Adults are more likely than children to experience gum recession or even bone loss due to gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease. Patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gum disease.
• Worn or missing teeth — Over time teeth can become worn down and shift into different positions that can only be corrected with orthodontic care. Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift and tilt, creating a bad bite and increasing the possibility of gum disease.
• Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen — Many adults received some orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, but never completed their treatment. As an adult, they choose to complete their orthodontic treatment to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they always wanted.

Our practice recognizes that adults and children have different needs, and may require a different levels of care and attention. We will work with you to develop a treatment plans that meets your needs with understanding and respect.

Why should you consider orthodontic treatment?

• Straight teeth are healthy teeth — Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to keep clean with flossing and brushing, and may help prevent other health problems.
• A beautiful, straight smile builds confidence — Orthodontic treatment can help boost your self-confidence, giving you a better quality of life and the freedom to smile without holding back!
• Mouths left untreated can get worse — Not receiving orthodontic treatment when it's needed can create long-term health issues costing you more in the end.

To learn more about the benefits of adult orthodontics please contact us to schedule an appointment. 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.

The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on three key factors:

• Early treatment — Early treatment allows orthodontists to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if it becomes necessary. Not everybody receives early orthodontic treatment; in some cases it may be recommended that a patient wait to receive treatment.
• What needs correction — The amount of treatment needed to correct a problem will determine how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently. While it may take one patient only 12 months to complete treatment, it may take another patient 24 months. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the smile you've dreamed of.
• YOU! — Your willingness and commitment to treatment plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always remember to take care of your braces and appliances; this helps make your treatment time shorter and will give you the results you want.