Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:

• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

It is becoming more commonly known that children should have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7 to determine whether early orthodontic treatment is needed.

But Dr. Thomas Arkle III and Dr. Christopher T. Harris of Arkle & Harris Orthodontics advise parents to beware of aggressive treatment recommendations too early, because going this route could exhaust your insurance benefits if your child needs additional treatment in the future.

This is an important topic that needs to be brought to light because unfortunately, there are some orthodontists who treat children too early and their teeth come out of alignment when they get older, says Charlotte orthodontist Dr. Arkle.

It is true that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, Dr. Arkle says. But quite frequently, no treatment is needed at this early age. However, when it’s recommended, many parents agree to it because they don’t realize that there is such a thing as getting braces for children too early.

Typically, because the orthodontist is viewed as the expert on the matter, parents don’t consider questioning the treatment plan, Dr. Harris adds.

Besides having the malocclusion relapse, payment for treatment a second time could result in more money out of your own pocket.

Orthodontic insurance is a convoluted beast, Dr. Harris says.

Some dental insurance covers no orthodontic treatment. Others cover up to 50 percent of the treatment cost and they have a maximum- usually it’s $1,500.

But then it’s exhausted for life, he says. So if your child needs treatment again, there’s no coverage.

Dr. Arkle and Dr. Harris have seen the consequences of early treatment in their practice when children have been treated too early by another orthodontist, only to have their teeth get out of alignment years down the road.

It’s a rude awakening for parents to learn they’ll have to pay out of pocket for all of the services the second time around, Dr. Arkle says.

So how can you avoid encountering this problem? Dr. Arkle and Dr. Harris have these three recommendations:

1. Get a second opinion.
If your 7- or 8-year-old is recommended to have braces on his/her teeth, get that recommendation confirmed by another orthodontist.

This is imperative if you as a parent are unsure of the treatment plan.

This is a trust relationship, Dr. Harris says. If the parent doesn’t believe or trust I have their child’s best interest at heart, it’s better to get a second opinion.

2. Learn about your orthodontist.
Research your orthodontist to get a better understanding of him/her and their background, experience and education.

3. Find a board certified provider.
Search for an orthodontic professional who is board certified through the American Board of Orthodontics. Only a small percentage of orthodontists achieve this status, and certification shows they have taken additional steps to have their treatments evaluated by peers to ensure their standards of treatment are of the highest quality.

We want to make sure parents understand that just because the AAO recommendation is for evaluation by age seven, it absolutely does not mean treatment is called for in every case, Dr. Arkle says.

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess bite patterns, jaw growth and poor oral habits that could result in the need for treatment later in life. There are some measures that can be taken early to correct bad habits such as thumb-sucking and mouth breathing. Early intervention can prevent the need for future orthodontic treatment in some cases, or result in the need for less extensive treatment in the future.

We just want parents to arm themselves with knowledge so that when recommendations are made, they can make informed decisions about their child’s treatment and they can get the most out of their insurance coverage, Dr. Harris says.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to get braces put on? Well, one of our patients wanted to show you how easy it is at Arkle & Harris Orthodontics. Drs. Christopher Harris and Thomas Arkle III make getting braces a comfortable and rewarding experience, and just look at how easy it is! Our patients are always amazed that getting braces put on is so easy and pain-free, not something to be anxious or worried about.

Have a question about getting braces put on? Give us a call at the office or ask us on Facebook!