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There isn’t a specific age at which children should start undergoing orthodontic treatment. However, at around seven years old, your child will have grown out enough permanent teeth and the jaw is developed enough to tell if there are any current issues... or any on the horizon.

There are many benefits to getting orthodontic treatment as a child, including shorter treatment time, fewer impacted permanent teeth and reduced chance of needing to remove teeth because we:

• Guide teeth into desired positions early 
• Minimize crowding/creating room for erupting teeth
• Guide jaw growth
• Correct the results of oral habits like thumb and finger sucking 

Are there any signs I should look for?

Yes, definitely! Here are some of the signs to keep in mind:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty chewing or biting into food
• Grinding and/or clenching of teeth
• Mouth breathing
• Speech difficulties
• Thumb or other finger-sucking habits
• Crowding, misplacement, or blocking of teeth
• Jaw shifts or jaw noises like popping
• Protruding of teeth
• Biting the inside of his or her cheek 
• Teeth meet abnormally or do not meet at all
• Jaw and teeth do not appear to be proportionate to the face

Keep in mind that these signs do not guarantee that your child needs treatment, but they may indicate that an orthodontic evaluation may be a good idea.

Do some of these signs look familiar to you? 

Have no fear, your child will be in good hands! Dr. Harris has built a family-oriented, professional practice in the Charlotte, Huntersville and Concord communities. They are no strangers to the latest technology so you can be sure that the Harris team is up to date on the newest trends in orthodontics. 

If you recognize any of these signs in your child, it might be time to come see us at Harris Orthodontics. There is no better time to start treatment than now! Summer break is a wonderful time to begin your child's smile journey. Want to get your child started before school starts back? Then give us a call to schedule your complimentary consultation and new patient exam. Visit our website at: https://www.smilesbyharris.com or call us at 704-597-5555 to request an appointment.

It seems that there are many options for straightening teeth these days and there’s no question that Invisalign is a front-runner. You can enjoy virtually invisible teeth-straightening while continuing to eat the foods you enjoy, brush and floss your teeth normally for better oral health and minimize office visits. The choice is clear!

However, you might wonder why it’s necessary to see an orthodontist for your Invisalign treatment. Here are the top reasons why only an orthodontist should treat you or your teen:

• You only want to do this once. Do it right.

Everyone knows an orthodontist’s goals are straight teeth and a healthy bite. We ensure that the teeth, upper and lower jaws, gums, and facial muscles are positioned so that you can bite, chew and speak well. Without taking these components into consideration, problems can arise, such as issues with the jaw joint (TMJ), headaches, excessive wearing or chipping of the teeth, premature tooth loss, and gum problems. 

• Orthodontists identify the cause of the problem, and then solve it.

You may see crooked or gapped teeth. We see the cause of the problem. Orthodontists use their education, experience, and expertise to delve deep to discover the root of the issue and solve it in a way that is healthy and sustainable-- for an attractive smile and a lasting result. 

• Orthodontics goes beyond your teeth.

Orthodontists study facial esthetics and understand how tooth movement can change your facial profile, smile line, and general appearance. We understand how it relates to the face and future growth changes and takes a holistic, comprehensive approach to your treatment so that your overall appearance is considered along with your smile.  

• Orthodontists are specialists.

After our dental school education, orthodontists devote an additional 2-3 years to the study of only orthodontics. We practice orthodontics exclusively. We focus our continuing education on orthodontics and see hundreds of patients per month. We are uniquely positioned to use our knowledge and skills to help you get the best possible result.

To schedule your complimentary consultation and new patient exam visit our website at: https://www.smilesbyharris.com or call us at 704-597-5555 to request an appointment.

At Harris Orthodontics, we love making our patients smile. That goes for everything from offering options like braces and clear Invisalign aligners, to fun prizes and friendly faces around the office. What you might not know, is that mentality extends to our pricing as well. We believe that a great smile (for you or your child) shouldn’t break the bank. Because of this, we offer many different arrangements: 

• Free Consultations - We think it’s important to meet with new patients, get to know them, and understand exactly what they’re looking for out of orthodontic treatment. During a complimentary consultation, you’ll get a feel for our practice, take some 3D scans, meet Dr. Harris and receive a treatment plan. We take the time to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have about orthodontic treatment. 
• Affordable Fees: While there are direct to consumer brands out there offering low fees for straight-smiles, we know this is far inferior treatment.  We believe that it’s important to have an orthodontist like Dr. Harris at the helm of treatment. We make sure that our fees are affordable and offer flexible financing options so as to make orthodontic treatment more widely available to the families in our community in Charlotte, NC.
• Flexible Financing: We know that everyone’s financial status is different and we want to be as flexible as possible. We offer no interest financing, low down payments and monthly payments made to fit most budgets.
• FSA and HSA Funds Accepted: Many people don’t realize that they can use their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) funds toward orthodontic treatment. Double check with your provider (or we can for you) to see what your plan allows. If you can use them, we will accept them! 

At Harris Orthodontics we believe that orthodontics should be an affordable investment in your smile and self-image - one that will last a lifetime. 

To schedule your complimentary consultation and new patient exam click below or call us at: 704-597-5555 to request an appointment.

Providing our patients with a unique and positive experience that they can’t find elsewhere is one of my main goals for Harris Orthodontics.  I strive to provide treatment that’s effective yet also comfortable by incorporating the latest innovative technology into the practice of orthodontics.

That’s why I’m proud to talk about our state-of-the-art, iTero® Element™digital scanner, which is used to take 3D impressions on each patient, allowing us to permanently retire that uncomfortable, gooey, impressions material that is typically used. At the same time, it provides more precise information for better fitting appliances and enables shorter appointment times.

Here’s how it works: With a scanning wand, we’re able to take hundreds of photos of a patient’s teeth in minutes. These photos are then displayed on our computer, providing 3D imaging of the mouth from any angle. The use of the scanner helps provide a clear image that results in appliances that are fitted with precision accuracy. 

Another positive aspect of using the scanner is that it’s directly linked with the Invisalign® system, which allows me to use aligners to create a perfect smile. Once the patient is scanned, their images are sent directly to Invisalign. You can even see the outcome of your treatment ahead of time! 

And the final result? Faster turnaround time, and perfectly fitted aligners.

Digital impressions are less time consuming, safe, and comfortable. So the next time you hear the word “impressions,”-- don’t worry! 

Harris Orthodontics offers complimentary new patient exams. You can visit our website at: https://www.smilesbyharris.com or call us at: 704-597-5555 to request an appointment.

Adult braces aren’t just for first timers. If you had braces as a kid and think you might need an orthodontic adjustment but don’t want to twin with your teenager, there’s literally nothing stopping you anymore.

Clear aligners from Invisalign have become a preferred option for adults looking to straighten teeth that have shifted over the years, especially for those who might be a little self-conscious about wearing traditional braces.

You’re not alone

Adults are getting braces more than ever before. The American Association of Orthodontists says that adults are getting orthodontic treatment in record numbers, and not all of them for the first time either. Not only that, patients are reporting that after treatment they feel better about themselves and their social lives. Most would recommend seeking out treatment for other adults.

So what’s stopping you from getting that “tune-up” to straighten your teeth? We say nothing! Want more reasons to get Invisalign treatment as an adult even if you got braces as a kid? Read on.

Teeth can be moved at any age

There is no age limit to moving healthy teeth and age is almost never a factor for an orthodontist when treating a patient. The only difference is that treatment may last a little longer since adult bones and teeth have stopped growing, meaning that it takes a little more effort to force teeth into position. Even if you had braces before as a child, that’s no reason to forgo improving your bite and realizing a healthier, beautiful smile.

People won’t notice you’re wearing them

Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to straighten teeth. And, unlike traditional braces that you might have had as a kid, Invisalign aligners are removable. You take them out briefly when you eat or brush your teeth - that means no food caught between brackets; no flashbacks to the middle school cafeteria for you. Most of the time your aligners will stay in so they can do the work of moving your teeth. The good thing is that they are virtually invisible so people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.

They are customized especially for you by a Board Certified Orthodontist

Technology has come a long way since you wore braces (and your favorite band wasn’t being played on an oldies channel.) Invisalign aligners are customized to your mouth using 3D digital technology - none of that suffocating goop you remember from the first time around. This means the aligners fit like a glove and are made to be as efficient at moving your teeth as possible.  Furthermore, Dr. Harris personally evaluates your teeth and smile and understands your desires and designs the plan specifically for you.  Personalized and effective treatment at its best!

More likes and better selfies

Okay, so we don’t have any scientific evidence for this, but trust us, in the end you will be happier with your new smile and you will absolutely love your selfies. Social media will be filled with beautiful, wide smiles that get more likes and make you feel great!

Dr. Christopher Harris has many years of experience in orthodontics and happily treats both teens and adults with Invisalign. 

If you’re an adult and think you want to get your teeth straightened, even if you had braces as a child already, then click below or call us at (704) 597-5555 today to schedule a consultation with Harris Orthodontics. We can’t wait to meet you! 

There is much more to taking care of your children's teeth than teaching them how to brush, and taking them to the dentist to fix the occasional cavity. Most parents realize that getting their children to begin flossing, as well as getting their teeth professionally cleaned, are also key elements of modern oral hygiene, but beyond that, is there anything else you should be doing?

What many families don't fully appreciate is the importance of getting their children examined by an orthodontist at an early age, in addition to their regular dental check-up. While many parents think that such an exam is only about getting braces for their children's teeth, there is really much more to this type of dentistry than meets the eye.

Why an Orthodontist?

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on the physical alignment of the teeth and jaw. And while the main tools of an orthodontist are braces, retainers, Invisalign, etc. – the goal of Harris Orthodontics is much more than just creating a pretty smile.

Orthodontic techniques, such as braces and expanders, are principally designed to correct problems that prevent proper eating, sleeping, and speaking. The fact is that when your child’s teeth or jaws are not lined up correctly, it can impact how they chew, talk, sleep, smile - and yes – even how they feel about themselves.

The conditions that orthodontists look to correct most frequently range from misaligned teeth and over-crowding to jaw growth issues. Any one of these problems can lead to headaches, poor mastication, snoring, and even pronounced susceptibility to decay from teeth that are difficult to reach while brushing. 

When to Begin Orthodontic Exams

Even for parents who are aware of the importance of braces and orthodontic care generally, the question of when their children should first begin such treatment still causes a good deal of confusion. Should parents wait until their children begin to exhibit conditions such as crooked teeth, or complain of tooth positioning problems – or should they act much sooner?

The American Association of Orthodontists and most orthodontists agree that a child's first exam should occur sometime around their 7th birthday. This enables the orthodontist to spot issues requiring treatment early, and to set up an effective treatment routine to address them. Based on their findings, the orthodontist can recommend anything from no treatment at all, to a carefully designed plan to improve their condition. The goal of each of these procedures is to minimize future treatment and reduce the need to extract healthy permanent teeth.

Proper orthodontic care for your children may start early, but pays dividends by catching potential costly problems before they develop. And the fact that orthodontic treatments create gorgeous smiles, is an added – and very welcome bonus.

Click below or call us at (704) 597-5555 today to schedule a consultation with Harris Orthodontics. We can’t wait to meet you!

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about orthodontics and the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice.

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