Meet Your Shelby Family Orthodontist
Neal Patel, DMD, MS
Education & Experience
Dr. Patel grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was the valedictorian of his high school class before receiving his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Duke University.
Dr. Patel was immediately accepted into dental school at the Medical University at South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. He graduated near the top of his class and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society.
After graduating from dental school, Dr. Patel moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to continue his education. He was accepted as one of six residents into the University of Louisville Department of Orthodontics, a prestigious full-time, 2-year program known for its intensive clinical training.
Dr. Patel graduated with his certificate in Orthodontics and his Masters of Science in Dentistry. His orthodontic training includes Invisalign certification and experience with all of the latest orthodontic technologies.
Care For All Ages From Your Shelby Family Orthodontist
At Orthodontic Associates, we believe that everyone should be able to access quality orthodontic treatment and that everyone deserves a beautifully aligned smile. We are proud to offer a full range of orthodontic services, including braces and Invisalign, for children, teens, and adults at our office in Shelby.
Shelby Orthodontics for Children
In order to ensure that your child is as healthy as possible, it's important that their teeth and jaws are properly aligned, giving them a healthy bite. Many parents are surprised to learn that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children get an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.
By that age, your child's teeth have developed enough so that small problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth can be spotted while they still have some baby teeth. A check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine and that braces won't be necessary, or we may identify a potential problem and recommended that we monitor it. From there, we may begin treatment at a time that is appropriate for the child. In other cases, we may recommended early treatment.
Orthodontic Care for Shelby Teens
Early treatment allows our team to monitor the growth and development of your child's jaw, meaning we can catch and begin treating problems while they're still in the early stages. This can cut down the length of treatment considerably.
Teens often want to know, "How long will I be in braces?" There's no set answer, as each case is different, just like each smile is unique. We're always going to do everything that we can to ensure that your teen has their most beautiful, forever smile. Fortunately, today's braces are a big improvement over the ones that previous generations have experienced. They're smaller, sleeker, and far more comfortable than ever before. They also come in a variety of styles, materials and colors.
In addition, teens also have more treatment options than ever before. In addition to traditional metal braces, teens also have the option of choosing clear, ceramic braces, which work the same way traditional braces do, but are designed to blend in with your teen's teeth, giving a more subtle appearance. Also, if your teen wants a new smile with no wires, whatsoever, they might consider treatment using clear aligners, such as Invisalign. Clear aligners straighten teeth gradually using a series of clear, removable trays that fit over the teeth.
Adult Orthodontics in Shelby
Many adults are choosing to receive treatment later in life because they understand how important it is to maintain their oral health, they want to feel better about their overall appearance, or both. We also see many adults who have received orthodontic treatment during their early years, but are in need of a "touch up" to regain the smiles they once had.
At Orthodontic Associates, we recognize that children, teens, and adults will all have different dental needs and need different levels of attention and care. We work diligently with each patient to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for you in the most inviting environment.
Schedule a free consultation with us today to get started.
