Orthodontics & Braces

It is never too late to improve your smile. Straight teeth are easier to clean, wear more evenly, and put less strain on the jaw joints, so orthodontic treatment is about health as much as appearance. Braces and aligners correct a wide range of problems, crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite, and they work for adults just as well as for teenagers. A growing share of the orthodontic patients in any modern practice are adults who never had treatment as kids or whose teeth have shifted since.

At Regency Dental Group, orthodontic care begins with an evaluation as part of your regular exam. Dr. Carter looks at how your teeth fit together, whether crowding is contributing to decay or gum problems, whether wear patterns suggest a bite issue, and, for children, whether the jaws and teeth are developing on schedule. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, when early intervention can sometimes prevent a more complex problem later, and we will tell you if that evaluation is warranted for your child.

Treatment options range from traditional braces to clear aligners, and the right choice depends on the complexity of the case, your age, your preferences and your budget. For cases appropriate to a general dental practice, treatment may be provided in our office. For complex bite corrections, cases that involve jaw growth, surgical orthodontics, and many children's cases, an orthodontist is the right provider, and we will refer you and coordinate care.

Orthodontics is a recognized dental specialty, and Dr. Lance Carter is a general dentist, not an orthodontist. We say that plainly because you deserve to know who is treating you and why. What you get from us is an honest evaluation, a clear explanation of your options, and a referral when a specialist will get you a better result.