Serving Children, Teens & Adults
Dr. Rafaill believes everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy orthodontic care and a smile they love.
At Straight Smiles Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer a full range of orthodontics for children, teens, and adults at our office in Shelby Township, Novi, Rochester Hills, and the surrounding communities.
Orthodontics for Children
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist as early as age seven. At this point, the orthodontist will evaluate whether your child will need orthodontic treatment.
Early treatment, known as Phase One, typically begins around age eight or nine. Early treatment aims to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as underbite. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions in the future.
Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine. The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as underbite.
Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions in the future.
Early treatment allows Dr. Rafaill to:
- Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
- Create more space for crowded teeth
- Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
- Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
Signs to Watch For
For parents, it's not always easy to know if your child may need orthodontic treatment.
Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- A hard time chewing or biting food
- Mouth breathing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
- Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
- Teeth that come together abnormally or do not come together at all
- Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
Please get in touch with our practice to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation.
Early treatment will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.
Orthodontics for Teens
You've just heard the three words that every teen dreads: “YOU NEED BRACES!” So, what now?
Don't worry! Braces aren't nearly as scary as you may think.
Braces come in various styles, materials, and colors, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past.
Length of Treatment
The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on three key factors:
- Early treatment — Early treatment allows orthodontists to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if necessary. Not everybody receives early orthodontic treatment, and that's okay!
- What needs correction — Everyone reacts to treatment differently, so the length of treatment will vary depending on your case. While it may take one patient only 12 months to complete treatment, it may take another 24 months. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you a show-stopping smile you deserve.
- YOU! — Your willingness to use the appliances from Dr. Rafaill plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always take care of your braces and appliances; this will help shorten your treatment!
Braces Your Way!
Our practice offers a variety of braces, types, and styles to choose from.
Some common options include:
- Ceramic braces
- Invisible braces
- Traditional metal braces
Orthodontic braces are a big part of life for many people your age. While they may have had a bad reputation in the past, today's braces make it easy to look good and feel good!
Please contact our practice to schedule your next orthodontic checkup.
Making Treatment Fun for Teens
- We use the smallest brace available, which allows the colors your teen chooses to look brighter and much more noticeable, which is what most teens love!
- If your teen doesn't want noticeable braces, we can use Invisalign® clear aligners, which are invisible! Invisalign for teens comes with compliance buttons, so we'll know exactly how long they wear each aligner.
- We encourage compliance by giving out gifts as rewards—the more compliant the patient, the more gifts the patient will receive, and the better results they will have!
- We constantly show your teen where they started before treatment and compare that with the goal we are attempting to achieve. Seeing the changes that have already happened encourages them to keep on top of their care!
We understand that your teen may be apprehensive about having braces. Teenage years are hard enough—we don’t want to add stress and anxiety on top of that!
We’re here for your teen, available to answer questions and give guidance to make their experience in braces the best it can be. With braces at Straight Smile Orthodontics, your teen will be smiling in no time!
Orthodontics for Adults
Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. The American Association of Orthodontists states that one in five orthodontic patients is over 21. Many adults choose treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health and want to feel better about their appearance.
Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too!
Why Adult Orthodontics?
Common reasons why adults consider orthodontic treatment include:
- A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
- Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly causing tooth decay or gum disease
- Abnormal jaw pain, or pressure that is caused by crooked teeth
- The desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile
Treatment Options for Adults
For many adults, the thought of having metal braces is enough to discourage them from receiving treatment. However, today's orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs.
Types of braces include:
- Clear braces
- Ceramic braces
- Invisible braces
- Traditional metal braces
The Differences in Adult Treatment
The main difference when treating adults versus children and teens is that jawbones are still developing in younger patients. For adults, these bones have stopped growing, which may mean the possibility of orthognathic surgery to align the jawbones.
Other differences include:
- Gum or bone loss (periodontal disease) — Adults are more likely than children to experience gum recession or bone loss due to gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease. Patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gum disease.
- Worn or missing teeth — Over time, teeth can become worn down and shift into different positions that we can only correct with orthodontic care. Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift and tilt, creating a bad bite and increasing the possibility of gum disease.
- Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen — Many adults received some orthodontic treatment as a child or teen but never completed their treatment. As an adult, they choose to complete their orthodontic treatment to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they always wanted.
Our practice also recognizes that adults and children have different needs and require a different level of attention and care. We will work with you to ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatments and that your needs are met with our understanding and respect.
Start With a Free Consultation
Please contact Straight Smiles Orthodontics to schedule a free appointment to learn more about the benefits of adult orthodontics.
We understand that you have a busy schedule, and we will work with you to ensure each office visit is as convenient as possible.