Everyone deserves to have a fantastic smile

Whatever age you may be, there are tons of reasons why you should consider orthodontic treatment. As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression – and your smile is a huge part of that.

Seriously, who doesn’t want to look (and feel) more confident and comfortable showing their natural smile? That’s the power of a great smile. Having healthy teeth and jaws will benefit your health both physically and emotionally for years to come.

For ages7-11

Start early for the best results

Prairie Grove orthodontist agree with the American Association of Orthodontist (AAO) that it’s best to schedule your child’s initial orthodontist exam around the age of seven. This allows the orthodontist to identify any developing problems with your child’s teeth or jaw. Many children are able to correct these problems early, eliminating the need for more serious (and more expensive) treatment later in life. An annual orthodontic exam is highly recommended to ensure your child’s mouth and jaw development is monitored for any treatment needs.

We take a close-up look

Most children have a mix of both primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth at this age. Using digital X-rays, a 3D mouth scan, and photographs of their developing teeth – all at no charge – we can capture this moment in time and assess their needs. If early treatment is necessary and your child’s permanent teeth have not all come in yet, we may suggest a two-phase approach. Or better yet, we may discover that your child’s mouth looks great! Whatever the results are, you can always count on us to give you an honest diagnosis.

A two-phased approach when needed

If deemed necessary, the first phase of treatment addresses your child’s tooth and jaw problems in hopes of preventing more serious issues from developing in the future. This first phase typically takes 9-12 months to complete, but the good news is that it can decrease the amount of time needed in the second phase. Once all permanent teeth have arrived, it’s time to start the second phase of treatment. Every case is different, but the second phase typically lasts up to two years. Think of it as taking the time now to avoid more serious problems later – a very worthwhile effort.

One phase of treatment usually does the job

The good news is that a single-phase orthodontic approach, which typically begins once permanent teeth are all in, usually resolves any concerns and eliminates the need for additional years of treatment, costs, and visits. Every child’s path to a beautiful smile is different, but you can trust Prairie Grove Orthodontics to get them started at the right time.

When your teen gets serious about smiling

The most common time to begin orthodontic treatment is between the ages of 12 and 17. At this point, teens typically have most of their permanent teeth in place which is a great time to make sure their teeth and jaw are growing and functioning properly. They may have also become more self-conscious or even embarrassed about a less-than-perfect smile, as this is the age when self-esteem and confidence really begin to develop. This makes the impressionable teen years an ideal time to get a bright, aligned smile they’re happy to share with friends and family.

For ages12-17

Treatment with braces is the most popular choice for teens. In fact, recent advances have made today’s braces smaller, sleeker, and more comfortable than ever.

Invisalign® clear aligners are another option for some teens, offering treatment that’s nearly transparent. One key benefit that teens enjoy is that aligners can be completely removed for sports, playing a musical instrument, or eating their favorite foods.

It doesn’t take a lot of time

Your teen may not respond to requests immediately (to clean their room), but their teeth and jaw are another story! Most teens usually start responding quickly to orthodontic treatment, and the average treatment time is just 24 months. Of course, some teens require more time, while others require less. Your Prairie Grove orthodontist will give you the straight scoop every step of the way.

For ages18+

You’re never too old to have a perfect smile

If you can’t imagine having braces at your age, we hope you’ll give us the chance to change your mind. Our desire to look and feel our best doesn’t go away when we put our teen years in the rear-view mirror. As an adult, being self-conscious about your smile can affect jobs, relationships, and everything in between. You’ve waited too long to have a great smile – now is the time!

Adults may also consider orthodontic treatment for other health reasons in addition to aesthetics, including tooth and jaw pain, tooth decay or gum disease, or difficulty chewing. Adult braces or Invisalign clear aligners can help reduce or eliminate many causes of pain, pressure, headaches, sleep issues, and more. Whether we are caring for ourselves on the outside or the inside, we’re never too old to want to feel better. Prairie Grove Orthodontics is here to help you make it happen.

Orthodontics solve so many problems

One mouth. 32 teeth. It sounds simple enough, but there sure is a lot that can go wrong. In addition to giving you the smile of your dreams, orthodontic treatment can also improve your oral health by correcting dental issues known as malocclusions. Below are just a few examples, or you can view our smile transformation gallery for even more.

Let's get one thing straight: your teeth

Nature does so many things right. But with 32 teeth, there are 32 chances to get it wrong. We are here to get you straightened out!

See more smile transformations

After

Before

What’s the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dental specialist – in other words, a dentist who has completed years of additional education and training beyond dental school, focused specifically on the safe and healthy movement of teeth and jaws.

We believe that our patients are special enough to deserve a specialist, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Prairie Grove Orthodontics. We have the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat every patient with the absolute best in orthodontic care – and we make the effort to keep learning all the time. You will experience exceptional service and compassion not just from our orthodontist, but every member of our staff. We are all here to make you smile.

Meet our orthodontist

Orthodontists:10-11years of training

Dentists: 8years of training

Orthodontic training 2-3 years

University or college plus dental school 8 years