Orthodontic treatment uses special oral appliances and constant pressure to gradually shift misaligned teeth into proper alignment, which is essential for healthy jaw function and a healthy mouth. While it’s never too late to get orthodontic treatment, earlier is almost always better. Getting the orthodontic treatment you need now–instead of waiting–can help you minimize the time and cost of treatment while reducing the risk of developing bigger problems associated with misalignment.
At Dental Depot of Arizona, we provide comprehensive dental services, including orthodontic treatment, for everyone in your family. We understand that straight teeth are important for more than just your smile; they’re important for your overall health. From palate expanders and clear aligners to braces and retainers, Dental Depot of Arizona offers orthodontic solutions for kids, teens, and adults, so you can achieve your best and healthiest smile at any age and any stage of life.
Misaligned teeth and jaws do more than make you feel self-conscious; they can have a serious impact on your oral and overall health. If left untreated, misalignment issues or malocclusions like overbites, underbites, crossbites, and crowded teeth can lead to problems like:
Orthodontic treatment can correct these issues and help you enjoy better oral and overall health.
According to the American Academy of Orthodontics (AAO), nearly 50% of the population could benefit in some way from orthodontic treatment, with nearly 65% of adults having some degree of misalignment. Misalignment problems are more than merely aesthetic ones; over time, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and crowded teeth can lead to issues like tooth decay and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). By addressing misalignment earlier rather than later, you can help improve the function of your jaw and preserve your oral health for the future.
The best candidates for orthodontic treatment are typically kids between the ages of 10 and 14, and they make up a large majority of orthodontic patients. This age bracket is ideal because all of the adult teeth have erupted, but the mouth is still developing and malleable enough to be adjusted without complex surgery or other intensive treatment plans.
This is why they recommend that children receive an initial orthodontic consultation around age seven or eight, when they begin to lose their baby teeth and their first permanent teeth begin to grow in. An initial consultation doesn’t necessarily mean your child is getting orthodontic treatment now, but it does help the orthodontist (and your dentist) plan ahead for how your child’s smile is developing and the type of interventions needed to help it develop properly.
Early orthodontic treatment can address several issues, including:
Catching these problems early on can shorten the overall treatment time and save you from having to spend more on complex procedures later.
However, “early treatment” doesn’t have to mean “young.” It’s never too late to correct alignment issues and prevent the potential for tooth decay, gum disease, or TMD; nearly 1 in 3 orthodontic patients is an adult. At Dental Depot of Arizona, the average age of our orthodontic patients is 27!
Although treatment times may be longer for adults–since it takes longer to adjust a fully-developed jaw– options like clear braces and aligners offer a more discreet and professional appearance while you make an important long-term investment in your health.
The path to healthy, well-aligned teeth is different for everyone, and finding the right treatment depends on your needs. Fortunately, there are a variety of orthodontic options available today, and working closely with your dentist can help you find the best approach for your forever smile.
Here are some of the most popular choices:
In addition to offering an array of treatment options and types of appliances, Dental Depot of Arizona is a Diamond Plus certified provider of Invisalign, which means we have the experience and expertise that comes with completing more than 400 Invisalign treatments every year.
For most children, braces typically take around 18 to 24 months to complete, offering a relatively quick path to a straighter smile. Adults, on the other hand, often have to deal with longer treatment times. Orthodontic treatment for adults can often take up to 36 months to finish taking their course.
However, treatment times vary depending on the severity of the case and the type of treatment. Some adults who opt for Invisalign, for instance, can start seeing noticeable improvements in as little as eight months.
The key takeaway is that the younger you start treatment, the simpler and faster the process tends to be, with results you can enjoy longer.
Today’s orthodontic diagnostic tools are more advanced than ever. While 3D imaging was developed in the 1990s, over the past decade, it has grown much more powerful. Modern 3D imaging gives orthodontists the ability to create highly detailed images of a patient’s teeth and jaw to diagnose issues early on and plan unique treatments for individuals of all ages.
At Dental Depot of Arizona, we use the latest in diagnostic technology to identify your orthodontic needs and create a custom treatment plan. We can take precise digital impressions using the iTero Element 2 scanner and digital x-rays to give you and your dentist immediate feedback, so you can see exactly what your teeth look like now and what they’ll look like after treatment. That also means no messy molds and no guesswork about what your results will be.
At Dental Depot of Arizona, we believe outstanding orthodontic care should be affordable and accessible. In addition to accepting AHCCCS/Medicaid at all of our locations, we also accept nearly all dental insurance plans and offer exclusive payment plans and financing options to help you get the orthodontic care you need. And, thanks to a multidisciplinary team of specialists–including orthodontists–and general dentists who are certified in Invisalign treatment, you can get comprehensive orthodontic treatment for even the most severe cases in the same convenient location as your regular exams and routine dental care.
Don’t wait another day for the smile you deserve; schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with Dental Depot of Arizona today and discover how orthodontic treatment can change your life!
