Straight Teeth

Misaligned teeth can be corrected using metal brackets and wires or a series of clear plastic “aligners” that fit over upper and lower teeth. At Zoerhof dentistry, we have treated crooked smiles for 30 years. We do offer white porcelain brackets as an alternative to metal brackets for an extra charge.

Parents often ask about when to initiate treatment. If there are no habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting) or skeletal development problems (narrow upper arch), we like to begin treatment when the second baby molars are ready to be lost. This generally occurs at age 11 or 12.

An exciting new way to straighten teeth uses a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually straighten teeth over time. Each aligner is worn for 3 weeks. We use Clear Correct aligners. This type of treatment may involve placement of small bits of white filling material on some teeth to allow the aligners to grip the teeth more effectively. (These are removed when treatment is complete). Also, we may make some extremely small (.3 mm) spaces between teeth to facilitate tooth movement.

Clear aligners are a great treatment option for many adults who have wished for straighter teeth but didn’t want metal brackets and wires. The price of clear aligners varies with the severity of the crowding ($1500 - $4500).

If you have a crooked tooth or two whose appearance has bothered you for a while, you may find that correcting the problem may be quicker, cheaper, and less intrusive than you think. We would be happy to have a FREE consultation to discuss your situation. Please call us at (231) 487-0229 to schedule an appointment.