Meet the Heart Behind the Smiles at Barnett Orthodontics

When families choose an orthodontist, they aren’t just choosing someone to straighten teeth. They’re choosing a doctor and a team they will see regularly for months, sometimes years. At Barnett Orthodontics, that relationship really matters to us. Our patients quickly learn our office is more than a place for braces or Invisalign. It’s a place where people are known, welcomed, and cared for like family.

We thought it would be nice to share a little more about who is behind the smiles you see walking out our doors every day. 💗

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Meet Dr. Todd Barnett

Dr. Todd Barnett has been creating confident smiles for over 20 years. He has treated thousands of children, teens, and adults, but one thing still hasn’t changed. His favorite day is the day the braces come off.

There is always a moment. The patient looks in the mirror, pauses, and then smiles bigger than they ever have before. Parents usually get emotional. Siblings run over to look. Even teenagers who swore they wouldn’t care suddenly can’t stop grinning. That moment is why Dr. Barnett loves orthodontics.

His education and training include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Miami University 🏫

• Doctorate of Dental Surgery (magna cum laude), Boston University 🎒

• Orthodontic Residency, Boston University 🎓

Orthodontics is a specialty, and Dr. Barnett continues advanced education and training so patients always receive modern treatment methods and updated technology.

He is also an active member of:

• American Association of Orthodontists

• American Dental Association

• Ohio Dental Association

• Akron Dental Society

• Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists

Outside the office, Dr. Barnett is a husband and a father of three daughters. He is also very involved in the local community. Supporting local families, schools, and organizations is important to him because this isn’t just where he works. It’s home.

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Our Team: Experience You Can Feel the Moment You Walk In

One of the first things people notice when they walk in is the atmosphere. We laugh a lot here, and that is on purpose. 😁

Our team is made up of a friendly, experienced group of professionals who come to work every day with one goal, to give patients the best orthodontic experience possible. Some team members have been part of Barnett Orthodontics for decades, with over 40 years of combined experience in our office alone. A few were even patients here before joining the team.

We know orthodontic treatment can feel intimidating, especially for kids. That’s why we focus on:

• Explaining everything clearly to parents and patients

• Making appointments comfortable and low stress

• Building real relationships

• Celebrating milestones along the way

We remember your name, your activities, your sports seasons, and your school events. We ask about vacations and games. We cheer when braces come off. 🙌

To us, you are never just an appointment time. You’re someone we genuinely look forward to seeing.

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What Makes Barnett Orthodontics Different

Our philosophy is simple:
excellent results + exceptional service + a personal experience.

We combine modern orthodontic treatment with a caring approach. Every smile is different, so treatment is customized to fit each patient, whether that means traditional braces or clear aligners.

Our team believes:

• Details matter

• Communication matters

• Education matters

• Most importantly, patients matter

We don’t just straighten teeth. We help improve oral health, function, and confidence that lasts a lifetime.

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More Than Braces, Changing Lives

Orthodontics is about much more than appearance. Proper alignment helps with chewing, cleaning teeth, preventing wear, and long term dental health. But the change we notice most is personal.

We see shy kids become confident teens.
We see adults smile in photos for the first time in years.
We see patients stop covering their mouths when they laugh.

That never gets old.

We are grateful every day for the trust families place in us. If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child, we would love to meet you, answer your questions, and show you what makes our office special.

Your smile is important, and you deserve a team that treats it that way.

Are aligners right for you?

 

Clear Aligners vs Braces: Which Is Right for You?

(Your Friendly Guide from Barnett Orthodontics – Barberton, Ohio)

Clear aligners like Invisalign® are everywhere these days — your friends probably have them, TikTok is buzzing about them, and they’re a fantastic option for many smiles.

But here’s the truth: aligners aren’t perfect for every smile or lifestyle — and that’s totally okay!

If you’re searching for a Barberton or Akron orthodontist to help you choose between braces or clear aligners, this guide will help you figure out what really matters — your teeth, your bite, and your day‑to‑day life.

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1. Some Smiles Need More “Power” Than Aligners

Clear aligners work great for mild-to-moderate cases, but some smiles need bigger adjustments or more precision.

Braces are often the better choice when you have:

• Deep bites

• Severe crowding

• Major bite corrections

• Stubborn tooth rotations

Think of aligners as gentle nudges and braces as the “let’s really get this done” option.

                                                                           Deep Bite

                                                                      Severe Crowding

                                    

                                                           Difficult Rotation of a Bicuspid
                                                                

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2. Aligners Only Work If You Wear Them Most of the Day

Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day to be effective. That means:

• Removing them for every meal

• Brushing before putting them back in

• Avoiding frequent snacking

• Following a consistent routine

If you tend to forget things, snack often, or don’t want to think about your teeth constantly, braces may be the easier, low-maintenance option — they work all the time without you having to remember.

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3. Lost or Damaged Aligners Can Delay Treatment

Stories we hear all the time:

• “I accidentally threw them away at a restaurant.”         

• “My dog chewed them.”

• “I lost them while traveling.”

When aligners go missing, your treatment slows down while you wait for replacements. Braces don’t have this issue.

                                                          Rambo LOVES to chew aligners

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4. Some Bites Need Hands-On Adjustments

Aligners are made ahead of time based on a digital plan. If something shifts unexpectedly, you’ll need new trays.

Braces let Dr. Barnett make precise in-office adjustments, which is helpful for complex cases.

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5. Healthy Teeth & Gums Are a Must

Since aligners cover your teeth almost completely, they can trap bacteria if you have:

• Gum inflammation

• Untreated cavities

• Plaque buildup

Sometimes these issues need attention first. In some cases, braces are the safer, healthier choice.

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6. Mail-Order Aligners Can Be Risky

Direct-to-consumer aligners may seem convenient, but many patients come to us after using them and end up with bite issues.

Real orthodontic treatment affects:

• Bite alignment

• Jaw function

• Bone structure

• Long-term smile stability

That’s why seeing an experienced orthodontist matters.

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7. Your Lifestyle Really Matters

Even though aligners look simple, they require daily effort. Braces may be a better fit if you:

• Snack throughout the day

• Sip coffee, tea, or soda often

• Don’t want to brush after every meal

• Lose things easily

• Want a “set it and forget it” type of treatment

Families from Barberton, Norton, Akron, Wadsworth, and Portage Lakes often find braces fit their busy lives better than aligners.

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8. Invisalign vs. 3M Clarity Aligners (we offer both)

Both Invisalign and 3M Clarity Aligners are clear, removable options that straighten teeth comfortably and discreetly.

• Invisalign: Gentle on teeth, widely used, effective for most alignment issues.

• 3M Clarity: Made with two types of plastic for precise tooth movement, very clear, comfortable to wear.

Both are excellent options for anyone looking for clear aligners in Barberton or Akron.

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Which Treatment Is Right for You?

Short answer: Clear aligners are amazing for the right smile. Braces are amazing for the right smile.

The best treatment is the one that fits your teeth, your bite, and your lifestyle.

Here at Barnett Orthodontics in Barberton, Dr. Todd Barnett will evaluate your smile, chat about your goals, and recommend the treatment—whether braces, Invisalign, or 3M Clarity Aligners—that will give you the healthiest, most beautiful, lasting results.

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📞 Contact Us
Phone: (330) 745‑4497
Website: www.barnettortho.com
Email: Use our contact form at barnettortho.com
Address: 86 Conservatory Dr., Suite A, Barberton, OH 44203

“Do I REALLY have to wear my retainers for life?”

 “Do I REALLY have to wear my retainers for life?”  

By Amy--Treatment Coordinator

 

As a treatment coordinator at Barnett Orthodontics in Akron, Ohio, I am asked this question many times a day, and not just by preteens/teens. Each time the answer is “YES!” There is no shortcut to keeping your smile perfect after you’ve spent (on average) 18-24 months in braces or aligners. Dr. Barnett does use built-in retainers on the bottom (and sometimes on the top) but those are only holding the 6 (and/or 4 on top) teeth in a perfect position. The retainer I am talking about is a clear removable retainer to wear at nighttime. That one will keep ALL your teeth in perfect alignment.

So, you DO have to wear your clear removable retainers forever, and here’s why:

Right after treatment, your teeth are not permanently fixed in their new positions. The bone and tissue around your teeth take time to stabilize. Even after time has passed, without retainers, your teeth will gradually shift back to their original position.

If you’ve had braces or Invisalign for months or years, the pressure on your teeth will still be at play after treatment. Retainers keep your teeth aligned like the day you finished treatment.

    

Orthodontic treatment is expensive (average $6000-$8000 in Barberton, OH)- period. Wear your retainer so you don’t undo the work you’ve put into straightening your teeth, saving you from having to repeat treatment and incur additional fees.

    

Over time, slight movement of your teeth can impact not only the look of your smile but the bite too, and overall health of your teeth. Wearing a retainer helps maintain your beautiful, functional smile and ensures the health of your gums and teeth.

Misalignment or “crooked teeth” can often cause issues like trouble keeping your teeth clean, bite problems, or jaw pain. Retainers help keep this from happening as your teeth stay exactly where they were the day your braces (or aligners) came off.

I know it isn’t what you want to hear but if you don’t want to do the whole braces/aligners process again, it’s simple, just put in your retainers. Make it part of your nightly routine and you won’t be visiting Barnett Orthodontics again- except for retainer checks. 😉

By the way, if you're a past patient at our office, we replace worn-out retainers at NO CHARGE!

Give us a call today to be seen at our Akron/Barberton location 330-745-4497. 

Mail-Order Orthodontics. Is it a Mail-Order Mistake?

My social media feeds (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Yahoo) have been bombarded lately with advertisements about a direct to consumer (mail-order) orthodontic treatment option with Invisible aligners that is 3x faster and 60% cheaper than traditional braces.  In fact, from what the advertisement says, you do it yourself, without even having to see an orthodontist or dentist.  


Say what?!?!  


Cheaper, faster and more convenient?  There must be a catch, right?  RIGHT.


I'd like to unbox this looking more closely at the three different selling points of DIY aligners:

1) Time
2) Price
3) Convenience, no Doctor Visits


TIME
It is totally misleading that mail-order aligners work “faster" than seeing an orthodontist.  This marketing ploy is founded on the principal that their treatment takes 6 months, while traditional orthodontic treatment usually takes 18 months.  In reality, if a patient ONLY wants their front teeth aligned, an orthodontist can do it in 6 months with invisible aligners or braces—the same amount of time as DIY aligners.  There is more to orthodontics however than just straightening the front teeth.  That’s why a typical orthodontic case can take around 18 months. 

With a traditional case, the first 6 months are usually the initial straightening stage and the following 12 months are usually the bite correction stage.  Mail order aligners on average take only 6 months because they DO NOT correct your bite.  Therefore, when these direct to consumer companies say they are 3x faster than traditional braces, they are not comparing apples to apples.  They are comparing a limited treatment option to only align the front teeth (6 months), to a comprehensive orthodontic case where your bite is being fixed (18 months).    That’s where they get the 3x faster statement, 6 months versus 18 months.


Check out this case.

I straightened these teeth after only 2 months.  It took ONE appointment.  By this reasoning, I can straighten teeth 9x faster than traditional braces and 3x faster than mail order aligners.  I win. 

Mail-order aligners are not faster than seeing an orthodontist.  If a patient wants limited orthodontic treatment with clear aligners or braces, it can be done in approximately 6 months by an orthodontist. Discuss this with an orthodontist so you can understand the pros and cons of limited treatment. Don’t try and do it yourself thinking it will be faster and better.



PRICE
The cost of orthodontic treatment is usually determined by the total treatment time.  Shorter cases typically cost less, while longer cases typically cost more. 

As I stated above, the average direct to consumer aligner product takes approximately 6 months.  Therefore, they have priced their product around $2000.  This is significantly cheaper than a traditional orthodontic case (both regular braces or aligners) that takes almost 18 months ($4000-$6000).  With that said, using the same logic as we used to destroy the speed argument above, these mail-order aligners are not truly cheaper.  They are just selling you a limited 6 month option. 

If a patient is interested in a limited 6-month orthodontic treatment option, just ask you orthodontist to weigh the pros and cons of a 6 month plan.  Many orthodontists would entertain the idea of doing limited treatment (at a lower cost than full treatment) if the patient understands the risks and rewards.  Chances are good the cost would be similar to a mail-order aligner.

Thus, the mail order argument that it is 60% less expensive is again, misleading and false. 


CONVIENENCE, NO DOCTOR VISITS
The lack of doctor supervision is the BIGGEST concern someone should have about the mail-order aligner business model.  


Orthodontic treatment is an on-going medical procedure which requires an initial diagnosis and on-going supervision throughout treatment.  As aligners are changed, the teeth are moving and changing.  While the mail-order companies have a doctor “review” the treatment plan, without seeing the patient, they do not have enough information to make a proper plan. Also, there is no guarantee it is an orthodontist reviewing your case.  It could just be a general dentist with no formal training in orthodontics.   If orthodontic tooth movement is not done correctly, it can lead to bone issues, tooth loss, gum disease or bad-bite changes.  Look at the on-line reviews and you will quickly see a trend regarding failures with mail-order aligners.  While there have been successes, without a doctor’s supervision, treatment cannot be altered, improved and changed as needed.  


Also, most orthodontists utilize specific techniques such as attachments (resin buttons on the teeth) to assist with clear aligner treatment.  With the mail-order products, these essential buttons cannot be utilized.  


To put it simply, there is too much risk involved with orthodontic treatment that is not supervised on an on-going basis.  


CONCLUSION


To summarize, DIY Mail Order Aligners are not cheaper, not faster and not as safe as seeing a trained orthodontist. 



If you live in/around the Akron area, we treat both children and adults with braces or invisible aligners. Our practice is in Barberton but we promise you it will be worth the drive if you are 20-30 minutes away.  Give Barnett Orthodontics a call at 330-745-4497 or contact us through our website or Facebook page to learn more.  

Lost your retainer? Our in-house lab can make you a new one in 1-hour!

It happens to a lot of people, the dreaded lost retainer.  Don't fret, it's easy to get a new one and usually we can make it within a single hour. 

The current orthodontic research shows that your teeth have the potential to move for the rest of your life.  In other words, you have to wear a retainer, just at night, forever.  Over the years we have retreated many patients who thought it was okay to stop wearing their retainer as a teen.  
Teeth are not static.  They have a memory and want to move back to their original position throughout your lifetime.  When your braces are removed or your Invisalign treatment finishes, you will be instructed on how to wear and care for your new retainers.  At Akron's Barnett Orthodontics, we instruct our patients to wear their top retainer for 3-full days and then nights only.  Your retainer will be form-fitted over your teeth and will hold them in their position.  The bottom retainer is usually glued in (built-in).  It can remain there for the rest of your life.

It is also important, if your retainer breaks, you lose it, or have dental work done that you see your orthodontist as soon as possible for a new one to prevent your teeth from shifting.  Good news again, we can make it quickly and economically.  Currently in 2017, our retainer replacement cost is only $75 for any past patient.  You've spent a lot on your orthodontic treatment, a replacement retainer shouldn't be expensive. 

Call us today (330-745-4497) if you need a new retainer.  Click on this link to go directly to our website to learn more about retainers at our office.

October is National Orthodontic Health month--Here are some tips about dealing with braces during Trick or Treating

How to survive Halloween with Braces….

With Halloween quickly approaching & the smell of pumpkin spice in the air, we at Barnett Orthodontics, want to give you a few tips to help you survive Halloween with braces. Many of our patients are anxiously anticipating a night full of spooky fun.  Unfortunately, some of the candy you collect trick-or-treating can cause serious damage to your teeth, especially if you have braces. This does not mean that you have to skip trick-or-treating, or even give all of your candy to mom & dad at the end of the night. It does mean that you will need to be careful in selecting what you can & can’t eat from your stash.

Candies to Avoid with Braces….

       First, let’s go over the candy you should avoid if you have braces or other orthodontic appliances. Sticky, chewy, candy like gummy bears, taffy, bubble gum, caramels, can cause painfully sticky situations or even an extra trip to the office to fix a loose bracket or broken wire. These treats can get stuck in your braces and make it very difficult to remove with brushing & flossing. The stickiness also tugs on the wires, brackets and appliances.

Hard candies, such as, suckers, candy coated apples, peanut brittle, and any candy containing nuts can also pop off a bracket & break wires when you bite into them.

Candies that are Safe Treats….

Ideally, you should always try to stick with softer treats that will melt in your mouth. Some examples of these safe treats would be peanut butter cups, soft chocolate bars, apple slices that are cut into smaller pieces, soft mints, doughnuts, cakes, pudding, and pies. You could even choose to have milkshakes or ice cream before or after you go trick-or-treating.

Most Importantly….

Finally & most importantly, if you decide to have any kind of candy this Halloween, even the safe treats, make sure to remember to brush & floss quickly afterwards. The sugars in the candy interact with the bacteria in your mouth to form an acid which will eat away at your tooth enamel. The quicker you remove the sugars from your mouth, by brushing & flossing, the less likely you are to have any lasting damage to your teeth.

Contact Us…

Have more questions about surviving Halloween with braces or need to come in for a visit? We’re here for you! You can reach out to us at our contact page or call the office at (330)745-4497.  We can’t wait to hear from you & hope you will continue to visit our blog for more tips & tricks on life with braces! 

Mouthguards, Free of Charge Because it's Important

Mouthguards—

Free of Charge, Because It’s Important. 

At Barnett Orthodontics, in Barberton OH, we provide free mouthguards to all of our patients.

The best type of mouthguard available is a custom-fit pressure laminated mouthguard. These are made in our in-house lab by using an impression of your teeth. This creates a mouthguard that fits your teeth perfectly. These are the most comfortable and most protective mouthguards you can wear! Another type is a stock mouthguard. They are pre-formed and ready to wear but known for being a little bit bulky. The last type is the boil and bite mouthguard. These you can purchase at most sporting goods stores or drugstores. You place the mouthguard in boiling water and bite into it. The softened rubber forms to your teeth when you bite into it while it cools.  This is a good option but not as ideal as a custom fit mouthguard. 

During your treatment, while we are moving your teeth and changing your bite, we will provide a stock-mouthguard.  We have a variety of colors and sizes.  After braces, we make every patient a free custom pressure laminated mouthguard to protect your super smile. 

We are confident that we are the BEST source for a custom mouthguard in the Akron Ohio area.  Our “Mission Mouthguard” is aimed at providing all of Akron’s youth (not just our patients) with a custom pressure laminated mouthguard. We have gone into school’s athletic programs to offer our services and have been recognized in the Akron Beacon Journal for our efforts.  While a custom-fit mouthguard can cost hundreds of dollars, we only charge $20.00 to the general public.  This correlates to the cost of a boil and bite mouthguard which a family would buy at a sporting goods store. 

Why do we need to wear mouthguards?

Mouthguards help to protect against injuries to the teeth and surrounding soft tissue, such as the tongue, cheeks, or lips. Some different injuries that could occur if you are not wearing your mouthguard could include fractured teeth (image A), displaced teeth (image B), or your teeth could be knocked out (image C) completely! They also to protect the soft tissues in your mouth. Without a mouthguard, your teeth could bite through your tongue, cheeks, or lip! Believe it or not, mouthguards also help to prevent concussions! By wearing your mouthguard it creates a padding or cushion between your teeth. By doing that, when a blow occurs to the mandible (lower jaw), the padding lessens the force of the impact pushing up toward the brain. A fractured jaw is a common dental injury related to not wearing a mouthguard!

A                                                                                                          B

C

 

Did you know?

·         Sports-related injuries account for 600,000 emergency room visits per year!

·         An athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth when not wearing their mouthguard!

Tips for your mouthguard!

·         Rinse or brush with toothbrush and toothpaste before and after each use.

·         Occasionally clean mouthguard in cool, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

·         Transport your mouthguard in a sturdy container that has holes for ventilation.

·         Never leave your mouthguard directly in sunlight or hot water.

 

Most importantly, if you get a mouthguard, make sure you wear it!

Call us today if you want to join our Mission Mouthguard Program! 330-745-4497

"DIY" Teeth Straightening: the Magic Alternative to Braces? Rubber Bands and 3-D printed trays: Seriously...Seriously dangerous!

 

"DIY" Teeth Straightening: the Magic Alternative to Braces? Rubber Bands and 3-D printed trays: Seriously?...Seriously dangerous!

By: Taylor

         Most orthodontic patients want braces to improve their smiles.  Sure, getting a healthy bite is important but more than anything, they want to feel more confident about the way they look.  Braces can be expensive though and can take 1-2 years depending on the case.  Have you heard about a scary trend of using a tiny hair elastic that anyone could purchase by the hundreds at a drug store to close spaces without braces though?
          Let's admit it: social media is more effective in today's socitey than that local newspaper that gets dropped off to your house on Sunday's. There are hundreds of different sites and apps at the tips of our fingers that help connect information or people in different ways such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and last but not least, Pintrest. Pintrest is great for creative ideas for hair, makup and delicious recipes but is it really the answer to all of our orthodontic questions? Recently, posts on Pinterest have been highlighting how someone can use a hair elastic to close those little spaces between our front teeth!   But at what cost and risk?
          What most people don't realize is the damage these at-home remedies have on their teeth. The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics issued a consumer alert about the use of elastic bands by non-orthodontists to close gaps in teeth which stated that while there are some people that have done this on their own with little or no harm done to the teeth, the rubber band can "slide into the soft tissues, where it is difficult, if not impossible, to retrieve it, then continue along the length the roots, destroying the periodontal attachment and produce inflammation". They then stated that "the teeth then extrude, the crowns of the teeth fan out as the roots are pulled together, the teeth become increasingly mobile" which can lead to tooth loss. I think we can all agree that the tiny space is NOT worth losing your teeth over. Let's leave the teeth-straightening to the professionals.

          Here are some examples of what people attempt vs what really happens: Warning...some of the photos are graphic:

We recently had a patient come into our Barberton office requesting to have her space closed.  She attempted to close the space on her own with a hair tie and showed us a picture she took on her cell phone of her own mouth.  Notice in the picture how the gums are red and swollen.  The rubber band was trapped under her gums.  Luckily she sought the services of a specialist and corrected the problem before a serious issue occurred.  Believe it or not, this stuff is happening in Akron Ohio. 

What about 3-D printed retainers to move your teeth? Yup, someone has tried it.  See the link below for the article: http://makezine.com/2016/03/20/can-you-fix-your-own-teeth-with-3d-printed-retainers/

 

Our suggestion, if you want your teeth straightened, see an orthodontist.  As orthodontist has 6-7 years of advanced education after 4 years of college.  We are the professionals and the easiest and cheapest way out is rarely the best.  If you live in the Akron Ohio area, don't try to do it yourself at home.  Give us a call to discuss your needs and schedule a complimentary consultation.

7 year-olds and EXTRA teeth; how seeing your orthodontist early can save the day! Or at least, save the smile.

If you haven't done it yet, and your child is at least 7, take them to the orthodontist.  Do it today.  You don't need to wait until the dentist says it's time.  Go now and rule out any unforeseen issues.  Chances are good that your child won't be ready for braces until age 12, but going to the orthodontist early, just might make a big difference in their dental future.

Recently we had a patient come in for a complimentary new patient exam. Her family had no issues with esthetics and her dentist didn't have any concerns.  Her parents were aware of some crowding and a slight overbite but they made the appointment because they had read somewhere that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child's first exam at age 7. Thank goodness they came.

Upon taking a set of photos and xrays, we identified a large growth between the roots of her upper front teeth.  It was an amorphous extra tooth, which if given enough time could have continued to grow and damage her front teeth potentially ruining her smile.  This would have never been caught had the family not come in early.

Over 80% of kids visiting the orthodontist at age 7 do not need any early orthodontic treatment. Those kids go into a complimentary observation program called our "Kids Cub Club" where they return annually for quick checks to make sure the teeth are erupting properly and jaws are growing appropriately. 

The other 20% of kids who could benefit from early intervention, usually require limited treatment (at a fraction of the cost) with long term benefits that lessen the complexity and cost of treatment later. Often through the use of expanders, retainers or temporary front braces, problems can be corrected early (usually in 6-12 months).

  

Take your kid to the orthodontist. It might make a big difference in their dental future and you have nothing to lose.