All Ages Accepted
At Orthodontic Associates, we believe people of all ages should be able to get quality orthodontic care and beautifully aligned smiles. We’re proud to offer a full range of orthodontics for children, teens, and adults at our offices in Shelby and Gastonia.
Choose Your Look
Orthodontic Associates offers a variety of orthodontic appliances to choose from, both fixed and removable. These options include:
- Traditional metal braces
- Ceramic braces
- Invisalign
- Invisalign for Teens
- 3M Clarity Aligners
Orthodontics for Children
As a parent in Shelby, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.
Dr. Patel will treat your children like our own by giving them the best possible orthodontic care.
Kids Should Get an
Orthodontic Check-Up By Age 7
Ideally, orthodontists like Dr. Neal Patel recommend starting treatment early rather than later. It is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) that children visit the orthodontist for the first time at age seven.
At that time, we can monitor their mouths and growth, starting treatment at the opportune time. This check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine, and braces for kids aren't necessary.
Or, Dr. Patel may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring your child's growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for your child.
In other cases, Dr. Patel might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
What Is Early Treatment?
Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
In some cases, Dr. Patel will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once your child has finished growing.
Choosing the Best Time for Treatment
To get the best results, the ideal age to wear braces is usually between seven and fourteen years old.
If Dr. Patel thinks your child will need treatment, he’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips and face
Signs the Bite's Not Right
Bad bites, also known as “malocclusions,” are the most common reason for braces. This is commonly seen with babies who suck their thumbs or pacifiers.
If they continue to suck for long periods, their teeth can actually get pushed out into different positions, which affects their bites.
It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite.
Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Thumb-sucking
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Protruding teeth
- Upper and lower teeth that don't meet, or meet in an abnormal way
- An unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a free consultation at our Shelby office.
We can talk about your child's orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your child's needs.
Orthodontics for Teens
The teen years (between the ages of 12 and 16) are the most common time for orthodontic treatment because most permanent teeth will be in place.
Braces are not as scary as most people think. They have advanced a lot in recent years. Now they come in different colors, styles, and even materials so that all teenagers can get the smiles they deserve without worrying about what others will think.
All About Teen Orthodontics
Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Patel can easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment in this age range. Your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough to allow orthodontic treatment to begin.
Some teens may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age, and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just about outward appearance. Untreated dental problems can have a lasting impact on your teen’s oral and overall health.
We recommend a free consultation with Dr. Patel at Orthodontics Associates if you notice any of the following issues:
- Early, late, or irregular loss of their baby teeth
- Difficulty with chewing or biting
- Crowding or extra spacing between teeth
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Frequent biting of the cheek or the inside of the mouth
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
- Protrusion of teeth
Choose Your Look
While creating a customized treatment plan for your teen, we might recommend an orthodontic appliance. Here at Orthodontic Associates, we offer metal braces, Invisalign, ceramic braces, and LightForce clear braces.
Bad Bites
Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits.
Orthodontic treatment can remedy problems classified as “bad bites” including:
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Missing or extra teeth
- An overbite or underbite
- Incorrect jaw position
- A disorder of the jaw joint
Benefits of a Straight Smile
Straight teeth that respond well to orthodontic treatment have many benefits, including:
- Being less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
- Being easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
- Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss
- Improving proper chewing and digestion of food
FAQs About Teen Orthodontics
Invest in Your Teen’s Smile Today
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future. By scheduling a free consultation, Dr. Patel will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment with both of you, as well as any of the risks with putting off or skipping treatment.
Although adults can successfully complete orthodontic treatment, a teen’s jaws and teeth can respond quicker to orthodontic treatment, shortening their total treatment time.
Orthodontics for Adults
Everyone Deserves a Great Smile
You’re never too old to benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Today, adults make up about one in every five orthodontic patients. Here’s why:
Looking Good
Adults find orthodontic treatment appealing because it can provide the confidence and pride that comes from straight teeth and a great smile.
Orthodontic treatment can help correct crooked teeth or spaces that you’ve been self-conscious about for years, so you’ll feel better than ever.
Your Teeth Can Shift
Did you know that your teeth keep moving beyond adolescence? Teeth that seemed straight and aligned in youth could have shifted later in life. This can lead to jaw pain, trouble brushing, or a smile you’re unhappy with.
Maintaining Dental Health
Orthodontic treatments are not just for your smile, even though they can really improve your appearance and self-esteem. Fixing your teeth can also dramatically change your oral health. You may have some oral health problems such as disease and tartar buildup when you have crooked teeth or malocclusion.
It can be really hard to brush between your teeth when they don’t line up correctly, which will lead to more cavities and decay. Many people who suffer from malocclusions have jaw pain along with headaches.
FAQs About Adult Orthodontics
Get Started
Start your journey towards a healthy new smile today and schedule your free consultation with Dr. Patel.
Let's talk about your orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your needs and smile goals.
