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Orthodontics for all ages

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

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

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

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

Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation. Early treatment now will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.

Orthodontics for Children

The Magic Smiles team recommends that all children have an orthodontic exam at orthodontic practice at age seven. Very rarely is treatment needed at this time, but by taking a complimentary panorex radiograph, we are able to determine if any permanent teeth are missing and give parents an idea of what is ahead for their child when it comes to orthodontic treatment. 

Young girl with glasses and braces smiling outside

Orthodontics for Teens

Braces, retainers, and everything else that you want to know about orthodontics!

You’ve just heard the three words that every teen dreads: “YOU NEED BRACES!”

Orthodontics for Adults​

For many adults, the thought of having metal braces is enough to discourage them from receiving treatment. However, today’s orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of orthodontic appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs.

How long will my orthodontic treatment be?

The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with orthodontic treatment 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 show-stopping smile you expect.
  • YOU! — Your willingness to use the appliances your orthodontist gives you 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 truly will help make your treatment shorter!

Orthodontics for Children & Teens

Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine (Phase Two will begin around age ten or older). The goal of early treatment is to correct three main problems:

  1. Severe jaw discrepancies (front to back)
  2. Cross-bites (Upper teeth on the inside of the lower teeth)
  3. Severe crowding that is causing social issues for the child

Most of these problems are genetic in origin—inherited genes for small jaws from one parent and large teeth from the other—but can also be caused by injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb-sucking habits.

How can early treatment benefit your child?

Most children lose all their baby teeth by age 13, and by the end of their teen years, the jaw bones will harden and stop growing. Orthodontic procedures for adults often take more time and can involve tooth extraction or oral surgery. Receiving early orthodontic treatment as a child can help prevent the need for orthodontics as an adult, leaving little to no chance of extraction or surgery in the future.

The Board upholds nine main objectives supported by its mission:

  1. Early or late loss of baby teeth (your child should typically start losing teeth around age five, and will have all permanent teeth around age 13)
  2. Difficulty chewing and/or biting
  3. Mouth breathing
  4. Your child continues sucking his or her thumb after age five
  1. Speech impediments
  2. Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
  3. Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner or even at all
  4. Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (cross-bites)
  5. Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

If your child is between the ages of seven and eight and shows signs of needing orthodontic care, or if you have been directed by your family dentist to visit the orthodontist, please contact our orthodontic practice and schedule an appointment with Dr. Sara . Our team will provide your child with an initial exam, and discuss with you the best steps to take toward caring for your child’s smile.

Orthodontics for Adults

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for children and teenagers. Many adults are choosing to receive orthodontic treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too.

Common reasons why adults consider orthodontic treatment

  • A bad bite or malocclusion, 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
  • The desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile

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 also recognizes that adults and children have different needs, and require a different level of attention and care. We will work with you to ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatments and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

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 orthodontics please contact our practice 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.

Begin With A Free Orthodontic Consultation

Start your journey to a beautiful, confident smile with Magic Smiles Orthodontics in Portland! Our free orthodontic consultation is designed to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about your orthodontic care. During your visit, our friendly team will assess your unique needs, answer any questions, and provide expert recommendations tailored just for you. Discover how we can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted—schedule your free consultation today!

LOCATION

Magic Smiles Orthodontics is proud to serve you at our convenient location! Visit us at our orthodontic office in Portland, where our dedicated team provides expert orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. At our Portland office, you’ll receive a top-notch service and personalized treatment to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. We look forward to welcoming you to the Magic Smiles family!

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