Regular dental check-ups are important to consistently check the health of your teeth. At regular dental appointments, your teeth are cleaned, and examined for any cavities and to prevent other dental issues

At an orthodontic exam, we work to make sure the teeth and jaws are developing correctly by monitoring growth. We also evaluate the alignment of teeth and help determine if there is enough space for the teeth to erupt properly. Some potential problems are easier to correct at an early age and can prevent issues from getting worse. This can also help permanent teeth come in straighter. This is why we recommend children have an orthodontic exam around the age of 7-8 years old.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends an initial visit with the orthodontist at 7 years of age. At this age we will check tooth eruption and growth to make sure the teeth and jaws are in the right position. Some young patients can benefit from early treatment to ensure proper growth and to make straightening permanent teeth easier.

The length of treatment typically depends on what your smile goals are. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment typically takes 18 - 24 months. More limited treatments can take a few weeks to months. At your initial free consultation, Dr. Paul will be able to determine the best treatment option to achieve your goals and tell you how long it will take to reach those goals.

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in the health of your teeth and an investment in a wonderful smile. Some dental insurances have orthodontic benefits that can help cover the cost of treatment. Our office will be happy to reach out to your dental insurance to determine any orthodontic benefit you may have. Meyer Orthodontics also offers in-office financing so that we can help make your smile goals a reality in the way that works best for your family.

The best way to discover the cost of treatment specific to your particular case is to set up a free exam.

To schedule your first free exam, schedule online or reach out to our office at 605-692-7511. Once you are in treatment, your next appointment will be scheduled at the end of each visit. If you ever need to change your appointment, our scheduling team will be happy to help! Again, please give them a call to do so.

Typically, the first 24 -48 hours after the teeth begin to move, the mouth can be sore. We recommend an over the counter pain medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen to help with the slight pain for the first day. Softer foods the first day can also help. After the teeth begin to align, minimal discomfort should be expected.

If you are in braces treatment or have an appliance, we do recommend avoiding extremely sticky and crunch foods. These type of foods can break braces off the teeth. No damage will happen to the tooth but if brackets are broken and not on the teeth, treatment can be prolonged. At your start appointment when your braces are put on, our dental assistants will walk through what foods to avoid and ways you can avoid broken brackets.

If you have a bracket break, appliance come loose, a wire poking, or a lost Invisalign aligner, please reach out to our office. We will be more than happy to see you right away to get your appliance or brackets fixed and address any discomfort.

Maintaining great oral care is the best way to have successful orthodontic treatment. Continuing to brush and floss to keep the teeth and gums healthy allows for teeth to move faster. Brushing and flossing may take a bit longer with braces but we provide special tools to help make the process easier.

Maintaining good oral care during treatment helps the teeth move more efficiently. If you are asked to wear rubberbands during treatment, wearing them as asked will also assure you have an excellent outcome. Avoiding foods that can break brackets and appliances will also ensure you get an excellent result in an efficient timeline.