A Variety of Treatment Options for Patients of Any Age
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Early Orthodontic Treatment (Age 7+)
Early intervention can help prevent more complex issues in the future and set the foundation for a healthy, confident smile. -
Orthodontic Treatment for Adults
We offer specialized orthodontic care for adults. Whether you're preparing for a big event, or simply want to feel better about your smile, we are here to make your smile shine. -
Invisalign® Clear Aligners for Children, Teens and Adults
Invisalign offers both convenience and flexibility without compromising results. -
Surgical Orthodontics
A specialized treatment approach that corrects severe jaw irregularities while enhancing facial aesthetics. -
Clear Braces with Lightforce
LightForce braces blend naturally with your smile, making them a discreet option without compromising strength or effectiveness. -
Orthodontic Care
View our patient guide to supplement the orthodontic treatment and services you receive in our office.
To help ensure you attain the cosmetic and functional results you expect, our doctors and staff focus on clear and open communication so that you have a full understanding of your orthodontic treatment from start to finish. In addition, our orthodontic assistants and treatment coordinator work with Dr. Hardy to create a warm and relaxed atmosphere where you can trust you are receiving the quality of care you deserve.
Early Orthodontic Treatment (Age 7+)
Wondering when your child should see an orthodontist? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation around age 7. At this stage, permanent teeth are beginning to come in, making it the perfect time to check how your child’s smile is growing and developing. Early evaluations allow us to spot potential concerns, monitor growth, and guide development if needed. In many cases, treatment isn’t necessary right away – but keeping an eye on your child’s smile helps ensure everything stays on the right track for a healthy, confident future.
Signs Your Child May Need Orthodontic Treatment
Every child develops differently, but some common signs that an orthodontic evaluation may be helpful include:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth.
- Gaps or spacing between teeth.
- Difficulty biting or chewing.
- Teeth that stick out or don’t meet properly.
- Early or late loss of baby teeth.
- Mouth breathing or jaw shifting.
If you notice any of these signs, an orthodontic evaluation can help determine the best next steps.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Evaluation
Early orthodontic evaluations allow us to monitor growth and identify developing concerns before they become more complex.
Benefits may include:
- Guiding proper jaw development.
- Creating space for incoming permanent teeth.
- Reducing the risk of impacted teeth.
- Preventing more complex treatment later.
In many cases, early visits simply allow us to monitor your child’s development and determine the ideal time for treatment.
Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment: The Benefits
At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on being experts in child orthodontics. That is why we follow the Two-Phase Treatment method. This method begins when your child is young. There are multiple benefits to following the Two-Phase Treatment when it comes to child orthodontics. The primary benefit is that it instills early preventative care for your child’s tooth and jaw development. By targeting potential problem areas early, we can lessen the amount of complex care that may be needed in the future. If we do not take action early, issues can become significantly worse as time goes on. We want to make the entire orthodontic process comfortable, easy, and smooth! Preventative care is so helpful in ensuring that your child has the best orthodontic experience possible! We start this portion of the process early because your child’s smile is still moldable. We complete the Two-Phase process once all their permanent teeth have been placed in their final positions.
The Two-Phase treatment plan gives us a more structured plan for your child’s smile straightening journey. By starting early, we can prevent more complex procedures that may be needed in the future.
Why Should We Start Treatment Now?
By choosing to start treatment now, we can limit the need for more invasive and complex procedures like surgery and tooth extractions. If jaw and tooth misalignments are left for too long, they can become much worse as time progresses. Some of these problems can include overcrowding, jaw misalignment, or bite problems.
As recommended by the American Association of Orthodontics, children are encouraged to visit the orthodontist by the time they reach 7 years old. We want to help you achieve the best results possible!
Orthodontic Treatment for Adults
It’s Never Too Late for a Confident Smile. At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand that your smile plays a big role in how you feel and present yourself. Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for kids and teens – many adults are choosing to improve their smiles and oral health.
Why Adults Choose Orthodontic Treatment
Nearly one in four orthodontic patients today are adults. Many people decide to straighten their teeth to correct concerns such as crowding, spacing, bite issues, or shifting teeth that may have changed over time.
Treatment Options That Fit Your Lifestyle
We offer several discreet and effective options designed with adults in mind, including:
- Traditional braces.
- Clear braces.
- Invisalign® clear aligners.
Our team will help you choose the option that best fits your goals, schedule, and lifestyle.
A Healthier Smile at Any Age
Whether you’re preparing for a big life event or simply want to feel more confident in your smile, orthodontic treatment can improve both the appearance and health of your teeth. It’s never too late to invest in a smile you love.
Teen Orthodontics
The teenage years are the most common time for orthodontic treatment, as most permanent teeth have erupted and the jaw is still developing. This makes it an ideal time to correct concerns such as crowding, spacing, bite issues, and misalignment. At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we offer treatment options designed to fit busy teen lifestyles, including traditional braces, clear braces, and Invisalign® clear aligners. Our goal is to create healthy, confident smiles while making treatment as comfortable and convenient as possible.
The Importance of Teen Orthodontic Care
It is so important to address orthodontic issues in the teen years. Many people don’t realize that there are so many underlying health issues that can be caused by misaligned teeth or jaws. These issues can impact breathing, healthy eating, and sleeping. Then these issues can impact other parts of the body. By targeting and repairing problems early, a healthier life can be developed.
There are many advantages to completing orthodontic care as a teen. These advantages include:
- Responsive, fast, and effective care as the smile develops.
- Reduce the need for extractions and complex care.
- Encourage growing teeth to move into the correct placement.
- Ensure that there is proper spacing between each tooth.
- Develop beautiful smiles that can also create good facial balance.
- Prevent the opportunity for misaligned or protruding teeth to be damaged.
While we explore treatment, we believe that proper communication is key. We will consistently and clearly explain what each step of the smile straightening process is doing. We want to provide you with the most comfortable, happy, and fulfilling orthodontic experience!
Are you interested in learning more about the smile straightening process? Schedule a consultation with us and we are happy to explain how we can personalize a plan for you!
Invisalign® Clear Aligners for Children, Teens and Adults
Invisalign is a modern alternative to traditional braces for all ages that uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten your teeth. For many patients, it’s an ideal solution discreet, comfortable, and easy to work into daily life. Because the aligners are nearly invisible and can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing, Invisalign offers both convenience and flexibility without compromising results. It’s a great option for adults and teens looking to improve their smile without the look and feel of metal braces. Backed by advanced technology from Align Technology, Invisalign has helped millions achieve healthier, more confident smiles and it could be the right fit for you too.
Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery) is a specialized treatment approach that corrects severe jaw irregularities while enhancing facial aesthetics. In Erie, Colorado, Dr. T.C. Hardy and Dr. Liz Lukens combine their expertise in orthodontic care with surgical techniques to address complex jaw alignment issues that cannot be fixed with braces or aligners alone.
This transformative procedure involves precisely realigning your jaw structure, which naturally affects the position of your teeth. Our experienced orthodontists collaborate closely with oral surgeons to create a comprehensive treatment plan that includes surgical intervention and orthodontic appliances like braces to achieve optimal results.
Clear Braces with Lightforce
LightForce clear braces are an alternative to traditional metal braces, designed for patients of all ages who want an aesthetic and personalized orthodontic experience. Using advanced 3D printing technology, each bracket is custom made to match the exact shape of your teeth, ensuring a precise and comfortable fit. Made from translucent ceramic materials, LightForce braces blend naturally with your smile, making them a discreet option without compromising strength or effectiveness. Because every detail is digitally designed and customized, treatment can be more efficient, with fewer adjustments and visits compared to conventional braces. LightForce clear braces combine the proven results of traditional orthodontics with the latest technology in customization and comfort – helping you achieve a confident, beautiful smile in a modern, more aesthetic way.
