Orthodontics

A Straighter, Healthier Smile for a Brighter Future.

Our pediatric dentists provide orthodontic treatment to help children and teenagers straighten their teeth and achieve healthier, more beautiful smiles. After your child’s initial orthodontic screening at age seven, we will be able to determine when orthodontic treatment should begin and which type of treatment will be most beneficial for your child. Call Children’s Dentistry at 801-295-8322 to learn more about orthodontics in Centerville, Utah, or to schedule a consultation with our experienced pediatric dentists.

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Modern & Compassionate Orthodontics in Centerville, Utah

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry focused on correcting irregularities of the teeth and jaw, especially in how they align and fit together. There are several orthodontic treatment options available, and our team will make certain that you receive the one that is right for your personal needs. Through orthodontics, we can correct teeth that are misaligned, crowded, gapped, and spaced.

We can also correct problems with the alignment of the bite, including overbites, underbites, open bites, and crossbites. Orthodontic treatment is faster, more comfortable, and more effective than in years past, making it a great time to straighten your smile.

While many patients think of orthodontics as an effective way to improve the aesthetics of their smiles, orthodontic treatment can also be very beneficial to your oral health and function. Correctly aligned teeth are generally at a lower risk for dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Orthodontics can also make it easier for you to chew, eat, and speak properly.

Pre-Orthodontics

In addition to orthodontic treatment, Dr. Mark Nelson and Dr. Treagan White also provide pre-orthodontic care, including your child’s initial oral screening at age seven and ongoing monitoring of your child’s oral development to determine the best time to begin orthodontic treatment.

When you visit our office for the first time, we will perform an initial oral examination to evaluate your smile. During this exam, we will discuss your goals with you and determine your eligibility for our various services to help you find the right solution for your individual needs. Our team is pleased to offer several services that accommodate a variety of needs and desires; we want to help you reach your goals with the optimal treatment for your smile.

Your first visit to our office is essential in establishing your orthodontic baseline. Our pediatric dentists will perform a complete oral examination, which includes an analysis of any malocclusion as well as a thorough examination of your teeth, oral musculature, and possible skeletal deformities. We will also perform a thorough radiographic analysis with panoramic and cephalometric X-rays, as well as a photographic analysis. Any etiological factors, such as poor oral habits, will also be considered. We want to help you achieve your goals for your smile and look forward to giving you the personalized, high-quality service you deserve.

We invite you to call our friendly team today to learn more about our orthodontic services and schedule your initial oral examination. We are eager to give you a reason to smile!

Braces

Braces are an orthodontic treatment option that can help you achieve a smile that is straighter and healthier. One of the most common orthodontic treatments available, braces work to gradually improve your smile, gently realigning your teeth. Braces consist of a system of metal brackets, wires, and bands. The brackets are attached to the front of your teeth and are connected to each other through the use of a metal wire and bands. As we adjust the wire, the braces guide your teeth to their ideal positions in your smile. Ceramic braces are also often available, which are the same color as your teeth, for a more discreet orthodontic option.

If you have ever wanted your smile to be straighter and more attractive, braces may be right for you. With braces, we are able to correct orthodontic issues such as:

  • Crowded teeth
  • Gapped teeth
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Problems with the bite, including crossbite, open bite, underbite, and overbite

During your treatment, you will regularly visit our office to make sure that your braces are adjusted as needed to continue progressing toward a straighter, healthier smile. Our skilled pediatric dentists and team will help you reach all of your oral health and appearance goals through personalized, high-quality care.

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Invisalign®

Invisalign is a clear aligner that fits over your teeth. Instead of a wire and brackets bonded on one side, it moves your smile from different angles. Each set of aligners has a unique design. This is because of the changes your teeth go through during the process. To gently and gradually move some teeth into their correct positions, “buttons” can be attached to the front of certain teeth. These “buttons” are tooth-colored and can be felt with your tongue. However, most people won’t notice them when you talk to them. After you have completed your treatment, Dr. Nelson or Dr. White will remove the “buttons”, leaving your teeth looking as good as new. They don’t cause permanent damage.

Some advantages of Invisalign include:

  • Virtually invisible (Clear)
  • Removable
  • Easy to clean
  • Comfortable
  • Discreet

Invisalign allows you to enjoy your favorite foods when you choose them. You can eat whatever you like as aligners can be removed during meals. Moreover, flossing and brushing are as simple as ever since there are no fixed appliances. Simply take your trays out and clean your smile normally. Then, brush your aligners, before you put them back in.

More questions? Visit our Invisalign® FAQ page now.

To find out if your child is the right candidate for Invisalign, schedule an orthodontic consultation with our dentist today! Call our office at 801-295-8322 or request an appointment online.

Retainers

After your child has completed orthodontic treatment, Dr. Mark Nelson and Dr. Treagan White will fit them for retainers. Retainers ensure that your child’s newly-straightened teeth do not shift back into their previous position and that their smile remains straight and beautiful.

A retainer is a custom-made oral appliance often used to maintain the alignment of your teeth after orthodontic treatment. If you have finished your orthodontic treatment, our pediatric dentists may recommend a retainer to keep your smile properly aligned. As you age, your teeth tend to shift; the retainer ensures that your teeth remain in correct alignment for optimal oral health, functionality, and appearance. There are three main types of retainers available:

  • Hawley retainers consist of wires and clasps embedded in a plastic body that covers the roof of the mouth (for the upper arch) or lies along the tongue-side of the teeth (for the lower arch). The clasps fit around certain teeth to anchor the retainer in place, while the wire arches across the front of the teeth to maintain their alignment.
  • Clear retainers are made of clear plastic and fit snugly over the teeth. A clear retainer is usually more discreet than a Hawley retainer, although it may not be as durable.
  • Fixed retainers, also called bonded or permanent retainers, are permanently attached to the backside of the front teeth. They prevent the teeth from shifting out of place and can only be removed by a dental professional.

Space Maintainers

If your child’s teeth fall out too early, their remaining teeth may shift out of place, making it more difficult for permanent teeth to erupt in the future and affecting the appearance of your child’s smile. Dr. Mark Nelson and Dr. Treagan White offer space maintainers to hold the place of the baby teeth so that your child’s permanent teeth can remain in their correct positions.

The baby teeth, or primary teeth, allow your child to chew and eat; however, that is not their only purpose. Primary teeth also act as guides to ensure that permanent teeth erupt in their proper places. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent tooth no longer has a guide, which can result in it drifting or erupting in the wrong position. The premature loss of baby teeth can also lead to the neighboring teeth shifting or tilting into the space that should have been preserved for the permanent tooth that will later erupt. Baby teeth may be lost early for several reasons, including:

  • Severe tooth decay and infection
  • Falls or other accidents
  • Diseases or other conditions
  • Teeth missing at birth

No matter the reason for a lost or missing tooth, our pediatric dentists will make certain that, if needed, space is held to allow for the proper eruption of the permanent tooth. To do so, we may recommend a space maintainer to keep the space open until the permanent tooth erupts. There are several types of space maintainers available, including both removable and fixed options. We will make sure that your child receives the type of space maintainer that best fits their unique needs.

Healthy Smiles Start Here!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions about your child’s first visit or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nelson, Dr. White, or Dr. Hiné.