FAQs

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of facial and dental irregularities. At Ault & Ault Orthodontics, we specialize in orthodontic care.

An orthodontist specializes in tooth movement and facial development guidance. Orthodontists complete a special advanced education program after dental school to learn these skills. 

• Better function of the teeth
• A more attractive smile
• Aids in optimizing other dental treatment
• Possible increase in self-confidence
• Increased ability to clean the teeth
• Better long-term health of teeth and gums
• Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
• Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth
• Reduced risk of injury to protruded front teeth

• Difficulty chewing
• Spaces between the teeth
• The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
• Crowded or overlapped teeth
• Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
• Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth or are bucked
• Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth (underbite)
• Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
• The center of the upper and lower teeth don't line up
• Upper and lower front teeth don't touch when biting together (open bite)
• Finger- or thumb-sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old

Orthodontic treatment can begin at any age. Many orthodontic concerns can be easily corrected when the patient is younger because the jaw has not yet slowed. Early treatment can help avoid surgery and more serious complications down the road. The AAO recommends that every child sees an orthodontist by age seven or earlier to ensure there are no concerns. 

Phase I (also known as “early inceptive treatment”) is a limited orthodontic treatment that is completed before all the permanent teeth have erupted. Phase I treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is often recommended to make more space for developing teeth and to correct crossbites, overbites, underbites, and harmful oral habits. 

Phase II (also known as “comprehensive treatment”) involves the use of full braces when all the permanent teeth have erupted. This usually occurs between the ages of eleven and thirteen. 

Orthodontic care can be helpful at any age. No matter what age you are, you deserve to have a beautiful, healthy smile. Between 20 and 25% of orthodontic patients today are adults. 

Invisalign® utilizes a modern approach to straightening teeth using a custom-made series of aligners that are created just for you. Made of smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic, these aligners are meant to wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners ensures that your teeth will gradually shift into place based on the movements your orthodontist plans for you. 

With Invisalign®, there are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You simply switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks until your treatment is complete. This will help you achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. 

Braces are used to apply steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. They are made of brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them. When the archwire is placed into the braces, it attempts to return to its original shape, and in doing so, applies pressure to move your teeth into their new, ideal positions. 

The duration of your treatment time depends on your specific orthodontic needs. The average time for most of our patients is 1-2 years. The actual treatment time can be affected by the rate of growth and the severity of the correction needed. Treatment length also depends on patient compliance. If you practice good oral hygiene, keep regular appointments, and follow up with proper care, you’ll stay on course for a faster process.