Greater Hartford Orthodontics

After graduating from dental school, orthodontists go on to receive an additional two to three years of education in orthodontics. This means we have advanced knowledge and training in the movement of teeth and correction of malocclusions. There’s simply no one better trained to provide Invisalign treatment than an orthodontist.

Invisalign is a great fit for most patients, but it’s not a fit for everyone. During your consultation at our office, we will assess your orthodontic needs and determine the best course of treatment to help you meet your goals and achieve a beautiful smile.

Braces can be uncomfortable after you first get them—it takes a while to get used to the feeling of constant pressure on your teeth, but it’s that pressure that moves them into their new positions. After the initial week or so of soreness, you may have a day of discomfort each time your braces are tightened, but over-the-counter pain relievers are effective at alleviating this pain.

Any type of orthodontic treatment has the potential to change your facial appearance, but rest assured—it’s for the better! Unless you only have very minor tooth misalignment, your braces will reposition your jaw, resulting in a more balanced, symmetrical appearance. Correcting overbites, underbites, and other malocclusions can make a dramatic difference in the aesthetics of your face.

The length of time you need in a retainer is decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on your needs and the type of retainer you have. Wearing your retainer as directed is important in avoiding dental relapse.

We’re big believers in early orthodontic treatment, which can start as young as 7 years of age. By starting treatment early, we can prevent problems from forming, rather than waiting for problems to appear and then correcting them later. This is a much more effective form of orthodontic treatment and, ultimately, it means less time spent in braces as a teenager.

We typically wait to start treatment with braces until your child’s adult teeth have erupted. This is usually somewhere between 11 and 14 years of age. In some cases, braces may be used before the adult teeth have fully emerged—in the case of impacted canines, for example, braces may be used to pull down a partially erupted tooth.