Our services
Invisalign
Invisalign is a safe and reliable braces alternative that camouflages easily into your mouth. By wearing your aligners 20-22 hours a day, your smile gradually improves in function and appearance. Many users experience smile improvement in as little as four to six weeks. As an Invisalign user, you’ll only need to schedule progress evaluations every 10-16 weeks. And many of these appointments can be completed virtually, so you won’t need to interrupt your busy schedule.
Damon System Braces
Damon System Braces use less visible appliance components that blend in seamlessly with your mouth. The secret to the Damon System is a self-ligating bracket system that provides a more comfortable alignment. This bracket system doesn’t need manual tightening and uses pressure to help your teeth gain a more conventional appearance. Damon System Braces can help you avoid costly procedures like palate expanders, permanent tooth extractions, headgear, or surgery.
Retainers
Once you have completed your orthodontic treatment, you will receive a retainer specific to your needs. A retainer is necessary while your teeth adjust to their new position. Most people will continue to maintain their smile with a retainer for the rest of their lives. Retainer wearers will have to come in for periodic check-ups, and we may make small adjustments to correct issues. Depending on your needs, you may receive a bonded retainer, clear retainer, Damon splints, or traditional Hawley retainers.
How to know if you should see an orthodontist
One of the most frequent questions we get is, “how do I know if I need to see an orthodontist?” While some people may have apparent irregularities like large gaps or crowded teeth, others may have underlying issues that require orthodontic intervention. If you are unsure, then you can start by booking a free online or in-person smile assessment. A smile assessment is an easy and no-risk way to see if your smile can benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Starting at age seven, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that younger children visit an orthodontist. Early treatment allows us to advise you about any concerns that could be on the horizon. Dr. Black can intercept these issues by making room for adult teeth or augmenting your child’s jaw. By intervening early, we can help your child avoid future problems that might require surgery or permanent tooth extraction.
Common orthodontic problems
Large tooth gaps
Gaps between your teeth can lead to gum tissue inflammation, bad breath, infection, and plaque development.
Crooked and crowded teeth
When a smile doesn’t align naturally, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and chronic headaches.
Jaw misalignment
Improper jaw alignment can cause long-term pain and a condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ). In addition to excessive jaw pain, TMJ can make it difficult to chew and cause persistent pain.
Overbite or underbite
An overbite or underbite causes your jaw structure to sit at odd angles. For example, people with overbites have teeth that overlap with the front teeth. Misalignments may lead to uneven tooth wear and chronic jaw pain.
Open bite or crossbite
When the bottom and top teeth do not touch — as in the case of an open bite — it can lead to difficulty eating food. On the other hand, Crossbites are when the top and bottom teeth are out of synch and can cause uneven tooth wear.
Understanding how orthodontic treatment works
Your smile journey begins with a free consultation where we get to know you and understand your goals. We will perform some diagnostic tests and discover which braces option is right for your unique condition.
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to orthodontic issues. Treatment will differ depending on each person’s bite, jaw alignment, and teeth. Recent advances have made getting the smile you’ve always wanted a more comfortable and satisfying experience.
