ProviderOur Values
Proactive & Conservative Treatment
We take a less-is-more approach to orthodontics. Our goal is always to opt for the most efficient, effective, and minimally invasive treatment possible for each patient, including early intervention for children.
Exceptional Service
We want our patients to feel great about their orthodontic care! Our open-door policy allows parents to be with their children in the treatment room and participate in their orthodontic journey.
We're here each step of the way providing guidance, support, and encouragement. Our customized treatment planning and easy post-treatment maintenance ensure patients receive the personalized care they deserve.
Orthodontics For Everyone
At Douglas Orthodontics, we believe orthodontics is for everyone. We offer treatment tailored to the needs of children, teens, and adults, and accessible payment plans that can fit almost any budget.
Early Intervention (2-Phase Orthodontics)
One of the best ways to ensure healthy oral development in children is an early assessment by an orthodontist. This allows us to identify and treat any emerging orthodontic issues, and guide tooth and jaw development in a healthier direction.
When it comes to orthodontic care for kids, it's our goal to minimize the need for extensive or invasive treatments and surgery in later years.
Orthodontics For Oral Health
There's no question that orthodontic treatment can create beautiful smiles. But orthodontics is about so much more than aesthetics. It's about helping patients achieve optimal oral health that improves their day-to-day lives.
Improved Oral Function
Correcting the alignment of the teeth and jaws can help improve their actual function – biting, chewing, and speaking. Problems with these basic functions of the mouth and jaw can be debilitating for many patients. We pride ourselves in helping our patients overcome these issues and optimize their oral health.
More Effective Oral Hygiene
Straighter teeth have the added benefit of being much easier to clean. With straight teeth, it’s much easier to access all the spaces between your teeth with your toothbrush and floss than it is with overcrowded or misaligned teeth.
For many of our patients, orthodontic treatment makes a significant difference when it comes to avoiding serious oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
Patient Communication
Our team believes that well-informed patients are more likely to be successful with their orthodontic treatment. For this reason, we prioritize patient communication. We're always happy to answer questions, and we make sure our patients understand each element of their treatment plans as they work towards a straighter smile.
Here are the answers to a few initial questions we're frequently asked by new patients about orthodontics.
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What are the benefits of orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatments are designed to align the teeth, lips, and jaws, which can have a number of aesthetic benefits. However, this is only part of the story. Orthodontic treatment also has a number of positive health implications.
This is true for a few reasons. First of all, misaligned teeth are simply more difficult to clean than straight, even teeth are. This means that people with misalignments are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, misalignments in the teeth and jaws can lead to difficulties with chewing, leading to digestive issues. These misalignments can also result in chronic neck pain and facial pain as well.
By improving the alignment of the teeth and jaws, orthodontic treatment can help resolve all of these issues.
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What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist in the diagnosis, prevention, management, and correction of misaligned teeth, jaws, and bite patterns.
Candidates must complete an additional three year of university and to earn the specialty designation.
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At what age should someone seek orthodontic treatment?
Children as young as 5 years old can benefit from an evaluation by an orthodontist. We typically recommend that children visit the orthodontist for the first time by the age of 7.
These early evaluations give us an opportunity to identify and treat emerging orthodontic issues before they become established. We can work with a child's developing teeth and jaws to guide healthy growth. This type of early intervention can help prevent or reduce the need for more extensive or complex orthodontic treatment in the teen or adult years.
That being said, there is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment. As long as their teeth and gums are healthy, adults in their 30s, 40s, and beyond can benefit from orthodontics too!
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How can I tell if I need orthodontic treatment?
The best way to know for sure if you could benefit from orthodontic treatment is to be evaluated by any orthodontist. You can request an appointment with us any time (no referral needed!).
Signs that indicate you should book an orthodontic consultation include:
- Visibly misaligned teeth or bite
- Pain or discomfort when chewing
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- Chronic facial or jaw pain
- Difficulty brushing and flossing
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What are my orthodontic treatment options at Douglas Orthodontics?
The two primary modes of orthodontic treatment we offer are traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners. Both treatment modalities can be customized for our patients' specific needs.
For children, early intervention may also be used, such as jaw growth guidance with appliances like palatal expanders.
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How much does orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign cost?
Orthodontic treatment costs vary depending on a number of factors, including the severity and complexity of your orthodontic issue, the amount of time it takes to correct the problem, and the type of treatment used.
Our team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that takes your budget into consideration. We're also happy to help you with submitting insurance claims, and to work with you on a financing plan to help take some of the stress out of paying for treatment.