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Summer is approaching, and it’s time to start planning for your child’s orthodontic care. We tend to get pretty busy in the summer months, since you want your kids to have some time to get used to braces or Invisalign aligners before school starts, so make your appointments soon!

When Should my Child See an Orthodontist?

The American Orthodontics Association (AAO) recommends that a child have their first orthodontic appointment by age 7. It is unlikely that your child will need treatment at this time, but it is important to get them in early to catch potential problems early on. By being proactive and ahead of any issues, we can avoid surgery and more intensive treatment further on down the road.

Many kids and teenagers are put on “observation” after their first appointment. This simply means the child isn’t in immediate need of treatment, but is being kept under close observation in order to be properly prepared for the time that treatment becomes necessary.

If your child or teenager is under observation, it is important to keep up with your appointments. Despite the seemingly slow movements of teeth, things happen fast in orthodontics. Being on top of the situation is imperative when trying to avoid costly and intensive treatment in the future.

When Your Child Needs Orthodontic Treatment

Many teenagers need braces, but not all of them. If your teen does need braces it’s best to get them sooner rather than later. They may not love the idea, but in truth it’s socially acceptable as a teenager to have braces. Their friends and peers will likely be getting them as well, and there’s less of a stigma attached to teenagers with braces than there is for adults.

It’s also important to note that kids have more malleable teeth and jaws to work with. They’re still growing, so it’s easier to adjust that growth to the proper specifications. Once a person stops growing, it becomes more difficult and time consuming to move their teeth around.

When it comes to orthodontics, the sooner the better!

Conditions That Require Orthodontics

Some of the most common conditions requiring orthodontics include crowding, spacing, deep bites, open bites and even under bites. Under bites aren’t very common, but they do occur and they can be corrected with orthodontics.

Some teens prefer braces and others prefer Invisalign aligners. We are experts at both mediums, and it is really up to the patients and their parents to decide which is preferable. They both have their pros and cons, and it is a personal decision as to which avenue to take when it comes to orthodontic treatment.

If you have a child reaching the age of 7 this year, don’t hesitate to call us! We are a 2^nd generation practice, and we take care of patients of all ages. We have kids whose parents were treated here! It makes for a wonderful family atmosphere-a place where patients of all ages can feel comfortable and well cared for.

We treat patients from all over the East Bay, including Pleasant Hill, Concord, Benicia, Orinda, and Walnut Creek. Call our office and schedule a free consultation today!

When you go to the orthodontist you want it to be as quick and painless as possible. And we want that for you! That’s why we pride ourselves on our technological systems that make your orthodontics care and treatment as easy as possible.

We are a “one-stop-shop”. That means everything you need is right here in our office! There is no need to travel to outside labs to have photos taken, or impressions made. We want your orthodontic care to be convenient, not a hassle! We understand that you’re busy, and that your time is valuable.

iTero Digital Scanning

One thing people absolutely hate about orthodontic treatment is the goopy impressions. There is nothing pleasant about having your mouth pried open, and getting some sticky gooey substance shoved in there, causing you to gag. So we’ve done away with that!

iTtero digital scanning equipment takes pictures of your mouth and teeth. You simply lie back and relax, while we wave what looks like a wand  around your mouth. The images are clear and precise, and the impressions can be made from those images.

No more gagging and feeling claustrophobic and panicky with your mouth packed full of goop! This aspect of orthodontics creates anxiety for many people, and so we’ve updated our technology to avoid it. No one should have to forgo vital care because of unpleasant and outdated techniques.

Panoramic and Cephalometric X-Rays

Orthodontic care is about more than just your teeth-it consists of the activity below the surface of your gums as well.

The roots of your teeth move around, and that affects how your orthodontic treatment is going to go. With our cephalometric x-rays we are able to see and predict when and where your roots are moving, and that makes it easier for us to ensure that your orthodontic treatment will be successful.

The best part about these x-rays is that they are super quick! The pictures take about ten seconds, and the images come through in 5 or 6 minutes! This means less time at the orthodontists office, and more streamlined and predictable outcomes for your treatment.

Superior Patient Experience

The patient experience is important to us. By updating our technology we have ensured that your orthodontic experience will be superior.

The cephalometric x-rays are a fast and clear imaging process that takes pictures of your mouth and jaw with speed and ease. The pictures will be clearer and more concise than older techniques. We can have your images ready within minutes, and your data will be stored and easily accessed for future appointments.

The iTero technology makes it very easy to make images of your mouth without goopy impression materials. You don’t have to struggle with your gag reflex while you wait for material to set. The impressions will be much more concise, and take less time to complete.

We are a second generation practice. That means we’ve treated patients and their parents! We feel very strongly about community and family, and we do our absolute best to ensure that you and your families receive the best possible care in our practice

If you or a family member is looking into orthodontic treatment, look no further and schedule an appointment today! We serve patients all over the Bay Area, from Walnut Creek to Concord and Martinez.

Finding the right orthodontist for you and your family can be challenging. There are many of them out there, and it’s important to find one that you can trust, and who really cares about you and your orthodontic needs.

At Jennifer Martin Orthodontics family is a huge priority. We are a second generation practice- Jennifer literally grew up in this office! It matters very much to us that our patients feel comfortable and safe, and that they receive personalized and specialized care.

Top Clinician

Dr. Jen (as we like to call her) is an excellent provider of orthodontic care. She looks at her practice as an extension of her family and home, and puts her heart into her business. She loves seeing her patients grow in confidence and joy as they finish their treatments.

Dr. Jen is a member of several prestigious organizations including the American Association of Orthodontists and the California Dental Association.

Staying current on evolving technology and resources is a priority here, and we pride ourselves on offering our services utilizing the latest and best equipment. Making sure that our patients have a great experience is critical, and making sure the results are fantastic is the ultimate goal. Dr. Jen doesn’t settle for anything less than an excellent result for each and every patient.

Outstanding Personalized Care

Every patient is different, and has different needs and experiences. Many people have severe anxiety, or even dental phobia, and we go out of our way to make them feel comfortable and safe. Many members of our team have been here for decades, so our patients have the opportunity to get to know them, and feel comfortable and welcomed.

Some dental practices have a “mill” feeling about them, like patients are just a number, or a chore to be checked off a list. Not here! We really do take the time to go over every aspect of your case, both from a clinical perspective, and from your personal and unique perspective.

If you have any fears or doubts, or questions about your treatment, we will make sure to address them with you. You will have plenty of face time with your doctor in order to ask questions and clarify confusion, and you will not be hurried or pressured to move along.

If you have concerns about the financial aspect of your dental treatment, we can help you with that as well. We believe that everyone deserves a happy and healthy smile, and that finances should not get in the way of your opportunity to have one. We can work with you and your insurance provider to assure you the maximum of your insurance benefits.

We Treat You like Family

Community matters. We feel that very strongly, and it shows in our practice. We are active members of our community, and we participate in as many ways as possible. We do everything from sponsoring a little league team to showing off our skills at local science fairs! Every Halloween we participate in candy buy-backs and donate them to our military.

If you or a family member or friend is looking for outstanding and personalized orthodontic care, look no further. Jennifer Martin Orthodontics will treat you as one of our own. We are a legacy practice, and we have legacy patients…we’ve literally treated two generations of certain patients and their families!

Give us a call today, and schedule a free consultation to get you heading towards the perfect smile, we’re excited to meet you! We see patients from all over the East Bay, including Walnut Creek, Concord, Lafayette and Martinez.

Orthodontics is a specialized practice. Few people realize that all orthodontists are dentists, yet less than 6% of dentists are trained in orthodontics. Orthodontists complete dental school, and then go on to complete a 2-3 year orthodontic residency.

Orthodontist’s expertise is in the practice of aligning your teeth and jaw. Just as you would visit a dermatologist instead of a general practitioner regarding an issue with your skin, so should you visit an orthodontist for the purpose of aligning your teeth.

Your Smile is Important to Your Health

Properly aligned teeth aren’t just a matter of vanity and first impressions. Straight teeth and an even bite go a long way towards a healthier mouth and lifestyle.

When there are no gaps between your teeth it easier to brush and floss. When your bite is correct you can chew foods more effectively, without damage to your teeth or gums. Misaligned teeth can contribute to troubles with breathing or speech. Snoring and sleep apnea are issues that can often be corrected by orthodontic treatment.

Your confidence and self-esteem are important too. First impressions do matter, and it is easier and more fun to present a smile to the world that you feel confident and proud of.

Orthodontics Require Proper Training

When you look in the mirror and smile, you’re not seeing the full picture. There are things occurring below your gum line, and within your jaw that only a trained professional will be able to spot. Your teeth may look straight and even, but your bite may still be off.

The converse may also be true. You may have what seems to be a severely crooked smile, when in truth a very simple and straightforward orthodontic treatment may effectively correct this.

Orthodontists are constantly continuing their education. Nowadays general dentists do offer some orthodontic care, with the introduction of Invisalign aligners and other treatment plans. Yet they are not fully trained in all matters of orthodontics, and when it comes to the proper alignment of your teeth and jaw it is important to receive the most professional and skilled care as possible.

When to See an Orthodontist

Orthodontic care isn’t just for teenagers and kids anymore, and we’ve come a long way since the days of chunky metal braces and headgear. There is more advanced technology available now, both with imagery and treatment options. Preventative care is important, yet it’s never too late to improve upon your smile.

It is recommended that children first see an orthodontist at age seven. Even if their teeth seem straight, and they have no complaints, it is important to seek out a specialist to observe any unseen problems. Kids at this age still have a lot of growing to do, and X-rays and a professionally trained eye can find issues that are best treated at a young age. It’s important to remember, the sooner the better. When you catch issues in the beginning stages it is easier to correct them without intense and expensive treatments.

Teenagers are still growing also, and orthodontic care at this stage still has the potential to help avoid more costly and invasive treatments in the future.

Even if you are a fully grown adult, it is not too late for effective orthodontic treatment. Teeth shift over the years, and there may be changes in the shape of your jaw and face. These things can still be effectively corrected well into adulthood with professional orthodontic care.

If you are seeking orthodontic care for yourself or your child, make an appointment today for a free consultation. We see children and adults, and enjoy helping members of our community realize the big happy smiles they desire. We serve patients all over the East Bay, from Pleasant Hill to Concord, to Orinda and Walnut Creek.