Braces for all ages

Kids : The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Jernigan recommend that children are checked by an orthodontist at age 7. Just like a car needs to have its oil changed whether it needs it or not, this initial examination can help rule out any abnormalities that may hinder good development of the jaws and permanent teeth. In Dr. Jernigan's practice, early treatment is not routinely recommended and the child is seen for yearly "Growth and Guidance" visits until such time treatment is needed.

Teens : Most of our young patients are treated around age 12 and treatment usually lasts 18-24 months. Teenagers can be treated with traditional races or clear braces.

Adults : Many of the recent developments in orthodondics have been focused on helping our mature patients fix their smiles. Some of the more adult friendly developments include translucent "clear" braces and tooth colored ceramic brackets.

Dr. J currently recommends Ormco's Inspire Ice clear brackets for our patients that want clear braces. They are much more comfortable than metal brackets, and practically disappear.

For minor changes, the Invisalign products can fix a crooked smile without braces at all. But the bad news is as you mature, your bones become more dense, including your jaw bone - and this makes adjusting tooth placement within you jaw more difficult. And for this reason, many adults needing orthodontic treatment require jaw surgery.