Orthodontics in Darien

Orthodontics

Correcting teeth that are improperly positioned and bites that do not meet correctly, with braces, headgear, plates and more.

Orthodontics is often thought of as cosmetic, and it does change how a smile looks. But teeth that do not line up are also harder to clean and wear unevenly, which is the part that matters long term.

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Orthodontic braces treatment at B&R Dentists in Darien, IL

What’s included

  • Treats malocclusions — bites that do not line up
  • Braces, headgear, plates and more
  • Addresses crooked, gapped and rotated teeth
  • Considers facial bone and jaw development
  • Provided in our own office by our doctors

About Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that involves correcting teeth that are improperly positioned. B & R Dentists is proud to offer the best and most up-to-date orthodontic services for our patients. Our orthodontists treat malocclusions which are often called bad bites. This is when a client bites down and their teeth do not line up correctly. We also treat crooked teeth or teeth that simply do not line up correctly. Orthodontists also focus on the development of the facial bones and jaw. How can these problems be fixed? Braces are the most common treatment though we also treat our clients with headgear, plates, and more.

Reasons to Seek Orthodontic Treatment

Crowded or overlapping teeth. Gaps between teeth. Teeth that stick out and are vulnerable to being knocked. An overbite, underbite, crossbite or open bite. Teeth that meet unevenly, so some take far more force than others and wear or chip. Difficulty biting or chewing. Jaw clicking, or jaw and facial discomfort related to how the bite meets. Speech difficulties linked to tooth position. In children, thumb sucking that has affected the front teeth, baby teeth lost much too early or late, or a jaw that is visibly developing asymmetrically. An early assessment around age seven does not usually mean early treatment, it means knowing whether growth needs guiding while it is still happening. And in adults, teeth that have shifted since braces years ago.

Benefits of Straightening Teeth

While orthodontics can be considered mostly cosmetic procedures, it is important to fix these problems for a healthy mouth. Teeth that are crooked or do not line up are the perfect place for food and bacteria to hide. They can also be hard to clean, leading to cavities and other problems down the line. The goal in treating problem teeth is to ensure a healthy mouth in the future. It is important to close any gaps between teeth and to make sure that the teeth all line up correctly. Sometimes teeth are crooked and need to be straightened up in the mouth. Orthodontics can also improve eating and even a client's speech in some cases. Beyond that, a bite where force is distributed evenly protects the teeth from the uneven wear, chipping and recession that a bad bite causes over decades, which is why treating it at forty is still worthwhile, not only at fourteen.

What to Expect

An assessment comes first: examining how your teeth meet, X-rays to see the roots and any teeth still to come through, photographs and a digital scan. From that we can explain what is actually causing the problem, because crowding, for instance, can be a matter of tooth size, jaw size or a tooth in the wrong place, and the treatment differs. You are then given the realistic options with timescales and costs, including whether clear aligners would work for your case or whether fixed braces are the more dependable route. Treatment itself is a series of short adjustment appointments, typically every six to eight weeks, over months rather than weeks. Teeth are sore for a few days after each adjustment. At the end, retainers hold everything in place. Teeth move for your whole life, and retention is the difference between a result that lasts and one that gradually undoes itself.

Common Questions

Am I too old for braces?
No. Teeth can be moved at any age as long as the gums and bone supporting them are healthy, and a significant proportion of orthodontic patients now are adults. The biology of tooth movement does not change with age; treatment can simply take a little longer.
When should my child first be assessed?
Around age seven is the usual recommendation, because by then the first permanent molars and incisors are through and it becomes possible to see how the bite is developing. Most children assessed at that age need nothing yet. The value is in identifying the minority whose jaw growth can be guided while it is still happening.
Braces or clear aligners?
Aligners handle most mild to moderate cases well and are much easier to live with. Fixed braces remain more predictable for severe crowding, large bite corrections and cases needing significant root movement, and they cannot be left out of the mouth. We provide both and will recommend based on what your teeth need.
How long will treatment take?
Commonly twelve to twenty-four months for comprehensive treatment, less for limited cases. It depends on how far teeth must move, your age, and — with removable appliances — how consistently they are worn.
Do I have to wear a retainer forever?
In practice, yes, though the wear reduces over time to a few nights a week. Teeth have a persistent tendency to drift back toward their original positions, and relapse after successful treatment is almost always a retainer that stopped being worn.

Terms You May Hear

Malocclusion
A bite where the upper and lower teeth do not meet correctly: commonly called a bad bite.
Crossbite
Where upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting together, instead of outside them.
Retention
The phase after active treatment where retainers hold teeth in their corrected positions.

Related Services

Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?

Call (630) 427-1800 to arrange an orthodontic assessment for yourself or your child.

Request an Appointment(630) 427-1800