Choose Your Braces
At Designer Smiles by Benton, you'll get see a variety of orthodontic appliances to choose from, both fixed and removable. These options include:
- Damon metal braces
- Damon ceramic braces
- LightForce clear custom braces
- Spark clear aligners
- Invisalign
- Invisalign for Teens
Orthodontics
for Children
You want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.
Dr. John Benton, Dr. Barry, and our expert orthodontic team will treat your children like our own by giving them the best possible orthodontic care.
Kids Should Get an Orthodontic Check-Up By 7
Your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned to have a smile that's long-lasting and healthy — in other words, a healthy bite.
Dr. Benton, Dr. Barry, and The American Association of Orthodontists recommend that your child get an orthodontic check-up by no later than age seven years old.
By then, your child's teeth have developed enough for subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth to still be spotted while some baby teeth are still present.
This check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine and braces for kids aren't necessary.
Or, Dr. Benton and Dr. Barry 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. Benton and Dr. Barry might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
Choosing the Best Time for Treatment
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are treated early.
If Dr. Benton and Dr. Barry think your child will need treatment, he 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 Isn't Right
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.
We can talk about your child's orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your child's needs.
All About Teen Orthodontics
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.
Luckily, some new solutions work to make the treatment process much easier than ever before.
Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Benton will be able to easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment in this age range, and 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.
Beyond outward appearances, untreated dental problems can have a lasting impact on your teen’s oral and overall health.
If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a free consultation with Dr. Benton at Designer Smiles by Benton, since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.
- 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
Bad Bites
Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits.
Problems classified as “bad bites” can often be minimized with the proper orthodontic treatment, 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 carry a number of 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
Invest in Your Teen’s Smile Today
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future. By scheduling a free consultation, Dr. Benton will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment with both of you, as well as any of the risks of putting off or skipping treatment.
Although adults can successfully complete orthodontic treatment at Designer Smiles by Benton, a teen’s jaws and teeth can respond quicker to orthodontic treatment, shortening their total treatment time.
Orthodontics
for Adults
You’re never too old to benefit from orthodontic treatment at Designer Smiles by Benton. Today, adults make up about one in every five orthodontic patients at our offices in Oxford and Pell City. Why is that?
Looking Good
Orthodontic treatment can help correct crooked teeth or spaces that you’ve been self-conscious about for years.
It can give you the confidence and pride that come with straight teeth and a great smile.
Your Teeth Can Shift
Believe it or not, your teeth don’t stop moving in 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
If you leave misaligned teeth untreated, you may end up with other dental problem such as tooth decay and gum disease.
You may also notice difficulty chewing or abnormal wear of the surface of your teeth.