Dr. Tony Young offers many treatment options for any age group. Young children benefit from early treatment where problems are intercepted before they become overwhelming. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first visit to an orthodontist at the age of 7. 

Adults can be treated with very cosmetically acceptable braces that are barely visible. Adult treatment takes longer, and results are not quite as ideal because there is no growth left in the jaws. However, most often very acceptable results can be attained.

Braces
Regular braces include stainless steel and cosmetically enhanced ceramic braces that are almost invisible on the teeth. Some wires even come coated with white to make them blend in with the brackets. Invisible or behind the teeth braces can be used, but in very selective cases since often times the teeth bite together too closely to allow space for these braces on the inside of the teeth.

Expansion Appliances
Expansion appliances are more delicate and less cumbersome now than ever. New materials and innovative designs offer the patient more comfort and less time in the appliance. They are used to gain new space or regain lost space for teeth and to eliminate cross bites. I use expansion appliances that do not require adjustments by parents. Instead, I adjust them at prescribed periodic visits. This helps preserve the parent/child relationship!

Functional Appliances
Overbites are one of the most common reasons to see an orthodontist. Functional appliances are usually used in growing children to enable the body to more evenly match the growth of both jaws and decrease the overbite. The usual reason for an overbite is because the lower jaw is shorter than the upper jaw. Functional Appliances seek to even the growth by enhancing the growth of the lower jaw while acting as a headgear to hold back the upper teeth.

Habit Appliances
The most common appliance is a digit sucking appliance to help break the physiology of the habit. They are usually used when some distortion of the teeth and jaw is found. If the habit is innocuous and no distortion is found, the habit usually disappears without intervention.

Imaginative Appliance Applications
Many times an unusual situation is encountered where severely misaligned teeth cause psychological trauma and untoward behavior due to the less than esthetic appearance of the patient. For example, a very young patient with twisted front teeth that are the source of teasing by peers can have braces placed on some baby teeth as well as permanent teeth to correct the displeasing appearance and provide a happy smiling situation for the youngster.