Orthodontics for All Ages

Dr. Eaton believes everyone should be able to get quality orthodontic care and a beautifully aligned smile.

We’re proud to offer a full range of orthodontics for children, teens, and adults at both our Williston and St. Albans locations.

Your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned to have a long-lasting and healthy smile – in other words, a healthy bite. Dr. Eaton and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that your child get an orthodontic check-up by no later than seven years old.

By this time, your child should have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This makes it easier for orthodontists like Dr. Eaton to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems before they have the chance to become more severe.

This check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine, and braces for kids aren't necessary.

Or, Dr. Eaton may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring your child's growth and development and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for your child. In other cases, Dr. Eaton might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.

What Is Early Treatment?

Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.

In some cases, Dr. Eaton will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Choosing the Best Time for Treatment

While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are treated early.

If Dr. Eaton thinks your child will need treatment, she'll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:

• Guide jaw growth
• Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• Correct harmful oral habits
• Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
• Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
• Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips, and face

Signs the Bite's Not Right

It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite. Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty chewing or biting
• Breathing through the mouth
• Thumb-sucking
• Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
• Jaws that are too far forward or back
• Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
• Protruding teeth
• Upper and lower teeth that don't meet, or meet in an abnormal way
• An unbalanced facial appearance
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth

The teen years (between the ages of 12 and 16) are the most common time for orthodontic treatment because most permanent teeth will be in place.

Luckily, some new solutions work to make the treatment process much easier than ever before.

Teen Orthodontics

An experienced orthodontist like Dr. Eaton will be able to easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment in this age range, and your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough to allow orthodontic treatment to begin.

Some teens may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age, and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.

Beyond outward appearances, untreated dental problems can have a lasting impact on your teen’s oral and overall health. If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a complimentary consultation with Dr. Eaton at Champlain Orthodontics, since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.

• Early, late, or irregular loss of their baby teeth
• Difficulty with chewing or biting
• Crowding or extra spacing between teeth
• Jaws that shift or make sounds
• Frequent biting of the cheek or the inside of the mouth
• Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
• Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
• Protrusion of teeth

Treat Bite Problems Now

Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits. Problems classified as “bad bites” can often be minimized with the proper orthodontic treatment, including:

• Crooked or crowded teeth
• Missing or extra teeth
• An overbite or underbite
• Incorrect jaw position
• A disorder of the jaw joint

Straight teeth that respond well to orthodontic treatment carry a number of benefits, including:

• Being less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
• Being easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
• Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss
• Improving proper chewing and digestion of food

You’re never too old to benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Although the thought of wearing braces as an adult can be intimidating, several options are discreet but effective. At Champlain Orthodontics, we offer ceramic braces, which blend in closely with your own smile, and Invisalign, a clear, nearly invisible aligner system.

Get a New Smile at Any Age

Today, adults make up about one in every five orthodontic patients.

Here’s why:

Looking Good

Orthodontic treatment can help correct crooked teeth or spaces that you’ve been self-conscious about for years. It can give you the confidence and pride that come with straight teeth and a great smile.

Maintaining Dental Health

If you leave misaligned teeth untreated, you may end up with other dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. You may also notice difficulty chewing or abnormal wear of the surface of your teeth.

Your Teeth Can Shift

Believe it or not, your teeth don’t stop moving in adolescence. Teeth that seemed straight and aligned in youth could have shifted later in life. This can lead to jaw pain, trouble brushing, or a smile you’re unhappy with.