8:00am to 5:00pm Monday - Thursday Lunch from 1:00 - 2:00 
3071 Kirby Whitten Rd. Bartlett, TN 38134 
3071 Kirby Whitten Rd. Bartlett, TN 38134 | 901-382-1564 901-382-1564 Traditional Orthodontics (Teenage Braces) Once all the permanent teeth have erupted, children are ready for full braces. Problems addressed in this phase of orthodontics are: final alignment of the teeth (which improves both appearance and the ability to optimally clean each tooth); correction of the bite (which includes both overbite issues of the front teeth and optimizing the fit of the molars and premolars); and also, in many cases, improvement of lip and tongue posture and the appearance of the child’s profile. We offer direct-bond brackets for our patients (as opposed to the “old-style” wrap-around braces), with the option for tooth-colored brackets and choice of colorful ties (a favorite feature); advanced appliances that can be used instead of headgear in many cases; and wire technologies developed for the space program that allow less frequent adjustments and fewer trips to the office. Most children requiring full braces wear them for about 18-24 months. The time in braces may be shorter for those who benefited from First Phase treatment. Typically, getting into braces requires 4 visits at our office. • First, a complimentary orthodontic evaluation is scheduled to see if your child needs braces, and if so, you will be given a full explanation of your child’s needs as well as financial and insurance information for you to make your decision. • Second, orthodontic records are scheduled, consisting of models of the teeth, photographs, and X-Rays to establish a record of what the child was like before treatment and also to provide the orthodontist with the means to work up a diagnosis and treatment plan. • Next, you will be scheduled for a conference with the orthodontist to discuss the plan. Here you will see the orthodontic records, watch an informative video, and have the chance to ask any questions. Usually separators are placed for the child at this visit. • Finally, a two-hour appointment is made to have the braces placed. Once your child is wearing their braces, they will come back to see us for adjustments every 6-8 weeks. After the braces are removed, patients wear retainers to keep their teeth in place. In our office, we prefer “invisible” style upper retainers to be worn at night, and a fixed lower retainer that stays glued to the back side of the lower front teeth for several years to keep your new smile in place. Frequently Asked Questions My 6 year-old's new teeth are coming in behind the baby teeth and are crooked. Is there anything that can be done? Crowding of front teeth (incisors) is common and always can be treated. In our opinion, it is not necessary to wait until teenage to help children regain confidence in their smiles. Sometimes, teeth erupt behind others or in misaligned positions; but if there is sufficient space, they will improve over time. However, many children's teeth are simply too large for the size of their mouth, and will not align themselves. In these cases, a careful analysis of the child should be made to determine whether expansion of their dental arches with appliances (arch development) is the best approach, or whether selected teeth should be removed to eliminate the crowding. My neighbor's 8 year-old has braces on. Isn't this too early? Not necessarily. It's true that most children aren't ready for a full set of braces until all the permanent teeth are in, about age 12. However, some children need "interceptive orthodontics" before that to correct developing problems before they become severe. A variety of different appliances, including partial braces, may be used for this limited first phase of treatment. Children as young as 5 or 6 may benefit from interceptive orthodontics. Is it OK to wait until all the teeth are in to do braces, when my child is about 12? Certainly, you have the option of waiting. We find that many children are better off to wait until all the permanent teeth have erupted, about age 12, to have their braces done – particularly when the orthodontic problems are not severe. Even difficult problems can be corrected at older ages, but it may take longer or involve removal of permanent teeth. How long will my child be in braces? It depends on many factors, such as severity of the problem, the child’s response to treatment, the child’s compliance with prescribed instructions, etc. Some children may finish in as little as a year, while others may wear braces for two years or longer. 3071 Kirby Whitten Rd. Bartlett, TN 38134 | 901-382-1564 |
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