For Children and Adults

Orthodontics for Children

The Association of American Orthodontists recommends for children to have their first checkup with the orthodontist by age 7. If orthodontic treatment for your child is required, Dr. Mai can help you understand when is the most appropriate time to get started with treatment. Certain problems can better be corrected at an early age such as crossbites, severe crowding, and detrimental habits such as thumb sucking. If early prevention is missed, some orthodontic problems are much harder and less successful to correct at an older age.

When treatment is begun early, Dr. Mai can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment.

Orthodontics for Adults

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. One of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21. Jaw surgery is more often required for adult orthodontic patients because their jaws are not growing. Adults also may have experienced some breakdown or loss of their teeth and bone that supports the teeth and may require periodontal treatment before, during, and/or after orthodontic treatment. Bone loss can also limit the amount and direction of tooth movement that is advisable.