Crowded teeth, spaces, or an uneven bite can affect how your smile looks and functions. You may also find certain areas difficult to brush or notice that your teeth do not meet comfortably while biting. An orthodontic evaluation provides information about tooth position, bite relationships, and the movements that may be needed.
Patients comparing options for an orthodontist in Plymouth, MI, can visit Pesis Dental Group’s nearby Farmington Hills office. We provide braces and clear aligners for children, teens, and adults. Our team reviews oral health, alignment, bite, dental development, and personal preferences before discussing the available options and answering your questions clearly.
Orthodontic Care in Plymouth
Orthodontic care uses controlled pressure to move teeth gradually. Appliances may be removable, like aligners, or attached, like braces. The recommendation depends on the movements required, age, oral health, and dental development.
Your evaluation may include digital X-rays, scans, and bite analysis. These records help our team plan tooth movement and explain the proposed care. We also discuss the estimated timeline, appointment schedule, appliance care, and fees.
Progress appointments allow the team to check movement, adjust braces, or provide additional aligners. Visit frequency depends on the appliance and care plan.
Braces & Clear Aligners
Each appliance applies pressure differently and has specific requirements for cleaning, eating, and daily use.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional braces use stainless-steel brackets attached to the front of the teeth. An archwire passes through the brackets and guides movement. Elastic ties hold the wire in place and may be available in different colors. Braces remain attached during the active phase, and the wire is adjusted during progress appointments. Patients considering braces in Plymouth, MI, may find that attached appliances suit many alignment and bite concerns.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners use a series of transparent, removable trays. Each tray applies pressure to selected areas before the patient advances to the next one. Aligners are taken out for meals, beverages other than water, brushing, and flossing. They must be worn according to the prescribed schedule. Pesis Dental Group provides Invisalign® clear aligners and monitors progress during scheduled visits. Patients considering clear aligners in Plymouth need an evaluation to determine candidacy.
Other Types of Braces
Pesis Dental Group also offers self-ligating, ceramic, gold, and lingual braces. Lingual braces sit behind the teeth, while ceramic braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets. Suitability depends on the movements required, oral health, and preferences.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children, Teens & Adults
Teeth can be moved at different stages of life, but the purpose, timing, and planning of care vary with dental development, oral health, and circumstances.
Children
An evaluation during childhood allows the team to observe jaw growth, tooth eruption, spacing, crowding, and bite development. Immediate care is not always necessary. Monitoring may be recommended while the jaws continue growing or additional adult teeth emerge. This approach gives the team time to follow changes and determine whether care may be more appropriate at a later developmental stage.
Teens
Most adult teeth have appeared during the teenage years, making this a common time to address alignment and bite concerns. Planning may consider school schedules, sports, musical activities, and the teenager’s ability to follow cleaning and appliance instructions. Parents and teens can discuss these responsibilities before care begins.
Adults
Adults may want to address crowding, spaces, shifting after earlier care, or a bite concern that remains. Existing crowns, bridges, fillings, gum health, and bone support can influence planning. Adult orthodontic treatment in Plymouth may involve braces, clear aligners, or lingual appliances. The team considers dental work and oral health before discussing a suitable approach and schedule.
Benefits of Straightening Your Smile
The possible benefits of orthodontic care depend on the original alignment, bite, and response to tooth movement. Straighter teeth may provide:
- A more balanced appearance: Aligning crowded, rotated, or widely spaced teeth can create a more even-looking smile.
- Easier brushing and flossing: Reducing overlapping areas may make more tooth surfaces accessible during daily oral hygiene.
- More even bite forces: Improving how the upper and lower teeth meet may distribute pressure more evenly during biting and chewing.
- Reduced uneven wear: Addressing certain bite relationships may reduce excessive pressure on selected teeth and enamel surfaces.
- More comfortable chewing: Improved alignment may help the teeth meet in a way that feels more natural during meals.
- Greater confidence: Feeling more comfortable with tooth alignment may make smiling, speaking, and appearing in photographs easier.
Together, these benefits may support a smile that looks more balanced and functions more comfortably during everyday activities.
Why Choose Pesis Dental Group
Family Dental Care Since 1980
Pesis Dental Group has cared for families in Farmington Hills and surrounding communities since 1980. Patients can receive general dental care and orthodontic services through the same practice, allowing the team to consider gum health, existing dental work, and routine oral health needs during planning.
Multiple Appliance Options
Our practice offers metal braces, Invisalign® clear aligners, lingual braces, ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, and gold braces. The recommendation is based on clinical findings, the movements required, lifestyle considerations, and patient preferences rather than appearance alone.
Planning and Communication
Digital X-rays, scans, and bite analysis may support planning. Our team explains the appliance, daily care, appointment schedule, estimated timeline, and available alternatives before care begins.
*Orthodontic services are provided by general dentists who are not certified as orthodontic specialists.
FAQs
How do I know whether braces or clear aligners may suit me?
The recommendation depends on your alignment, bite, oral health, lifestyle, and ability to follow appliance instructions. Braces remain attached, while aligners are removable and require consistent daily wear. An evaluation can clarify which available options may address the planned movements.
How long does orthodontic care take?
Orthodontic care may last between one and three years, although the timeline varies. Timing depends on age, appliance, case complexity, biological response, and adherence to instructions. You will receive an estimate during planning.
How often are orthodontic appointments scheduled?
Appointment frequency depends on your appliance and plan. Follow-ups may occur every four to eight weeks, allowing the team to check movement, adjust braces, or provide additional aligners.
Can children and teenagers use clear aligners?
Clear aligners may be considered for some younger patients. Candidacy depends on dental development, the movements required, oral health, and whether the patient can wear and care for the trays as instructed.
Do I still need routine dental visits while wearing braces?
Yes. Orthodontic progress appointments focus on tooth movement and the appliance. Routine examinations and professional cleanings allow the dental team to monitor the teeth and gums. Brackets and wires can create additional areas where plaque and food particles collect.
What happens after the teeth reach their planned positions?
A retention phase follows active tooth movement. A retainer helps maintain the new alignment. Instructions will explain how often to wear the retainer, how to clean it, and when follow-up appointments may be needed.
Discuss Your Orthodontic Options Near Plymouth
Choosing between braces and clear aligners begins with understanding your teeth, bite, and goals. We evaluate alignment, explain available appliances, and answer questions about daily care, appointments, and timing. Whether care is for you or your child, our team will discuss the recommended approach. We welcome questions from Plymouth families throughout planning and active care.
Call (248) 478-1650 or book online to schedule an orthodontic consultation at our Farmington Hills office near Plymouth.
Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.
