Orthodontics In Tacoma, WA

At Douglas Knight Orthodontics, we believe in the power of orthodontics and how a great-looking smile can boost self-confidence and have a positive impact on social and professional opportunities. Orthodontic treatment is the original smile makeover tool for both children and adults, and you're never too old to take advantage of it. However, at our Tacoma orthodontist, it's not all about looks: properly aligned teeth help you to bite, chew and speak more effectively. They are also easier to clean, which helps keep your mouth free of tooth decay and gum disease. Overall, orthodontic treatment will not only improve the look of your smile, it will improve your oral and bodily health.

When the Bite isn’t Fitting Well (correcting a malocclusion)

Correcting Bite Problems

Orthodontic treatment can resolve a number of bite problems, which often become evident by age 7. We recommend all children visit the orthodontist by age 7 so that if bite problems are present, we can correct them early and efficiently. The most common orthodontic bite problems include:

Underbite, crossbite & excessive overbite: where upper and lower teeth don't close in the proper position
Open bite: where a space remains between top and bottom teeth when the jaws are closed
Crowding or excessive spacing: where teeth are spaced too close together or too far apart.

To correct bite problems, teeth need to be moved to a more functional position, which is the job of your Tacoma orthodontist. Orthodontic appliances move teeth by careful application of light, constant pressure. This force can be applied via metal wires that run through small brackets attached to the teeth (braces), or via the semi-rigid plastic of clear aligners.

Orthodontics For Children & Adults

Having orthodontic treatment in childhood is ideal because we can take advantage of a child's natural growth processes to help move the teeth into proper alignment. Like the rest of the body, the teeth and jaws are now changing rapidly. So at this time it's possible, for example, to create more room for teeth in a crowded mouth by using a "palatal expander" to rapidly widen the upper jaw. This phase of growth modification can shorten overall treatment time and ensure the best result if additional orthodontic appliances are needed.

Actually, healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so you've never "missed the boat" for orthodontic treatment. In fact, about one in five of today's orthodontic patients are adults. Several technological developments, including tooth-colored ceramic braces, clear aligners and invisible lingual braces, have made orthodontic appliances less evident, and enhanced the treatment experience for adults.

Types of Appliances

Douglas Knight Orthodontics in Tacoma takes advantage of several different types of orthodontic appliances. We provide the following to our patients:
Traditional metal braces use small metal brackets bonded to the front of the teeth, with a thin wire running through them. This time-tested style still remains very popular and is typically the most economic option.

Clear braces use brackets made of ceramic or plastic which, except for the slim archwire, are hardly visible.
Lingual braces are just like traditional metal braces — except they're bonded to the back of your teeth (the tongue side) so that no one can see them.
Removable clear aligners are an alternative to fixed orthodontic appliances. They consist of a series of clear plastic "trays" that fit over your teeth exactly; each one moves your teeth a little bit, until they are in the proper position.

Whether fixed or removable, each type of appliance may have advantages or disadvantages in particular situations. After a complete examination, we will discuss which treatment options are best for you.

Post Orthodontic Care

Once your Tacoma orthodontic treatment is completed, it's extremely important to wear a retainer as directed. That's because teeth naturally tend to drift back to their original locations — which is the last thing you want after you've gone to the trouble of straightening them! Wearing a retainer holds your teeth in their new position long enough for new bone and ligament to re-form around them, and helps keep your gorgeous new smile looking good for a lifetime.

Call Douglas Knight Orthodontics In Tacoma Today!

Are you interested in orthodontics for yourself or a family member? Don't wait any longer, call Douglas Knight Orthodontics in Tacoma, WA today! Our orthodontic team will be more than happy to help you and answer any questions you may have. To achieve the smile you've always dreamed of, call our Tacoma orthodontist directly or schedule an appointment online. A straighter smile is just a call away!