Time-tested, dependable orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth, corrects your bite, and gives you a smile you'll be proud to share for a lifetime.
Braces remain one of the most effective and reliable ways to correct crowded, crooked, or misaligned teeth, as well as bite problems like overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. At Gallagher Family Dentistry, we use high-quality bracket and archwire systems to gradually and gently guide your teeth into their ideal position over the course of treatment, resulting in a straighter smile and a healthier, more functional bite.
Beyond aesthetics, properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, less prone to abnormal wear, and put less strain on your jaw joints. Left untreated, misalignment can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, chewing difficulties, speech issues, and chronic jaw pain. Our team evaluates every patient carefully, whether they're a child just growing into their adult teeth or an adult seeking a smile correction later in life, to build an orthodontic plan tailored to their unique bite and goals.
Committing to braces is a meaningful investment in your long-term oral health. Here's what real, specific benefits patients experience throughout treatment at our practice.
Traditional braces offer continuous, controlled pressure on teeth that's ideal for even the most complex misalignments, including severe crowding and significant bite discrepancies that other treatments may not fully address.
Correcting an improper bite reduces abnormal wear on tooth enamel, eases strain on the jaw joint, and can significantly reduce headaches, jaw soreness, and clicking associated with bite misalignment.
Straighter teeth have fewer tight, hard-to-reach spaces where plaque and food debris accumulate, which means simpler brushing and flossing routines and a reduced risk of cavities and gum disease after treatment.
Braces have decades of clinical evidence behind them. The results are stable and predictable, and with proper retainer wear after treatment, the corrected position of your teeth can last a lifetime.
Many patients report feeling far more comfortable smiling, speaking, and being photographed once treatment is complete, along with a real sense of pride in the process they committed to.
We treat children, teens, and adults alike, adjusting bracket size, wire tension, and appointment cadence to fit the needs of a growing jaw versus a fully developed one.
Every orthodontic journey follows a similar path, though the length and specifics vary by patient. Here's what you can expect at Gallagher Family Dentistry.
We start with a thorough exam, digital X-rays, photographs, and impressions or scans of your teeth. This gives us a complete picture of your bite, jaw alignment, and any structural concerns before we design your treatment plan.
Our team maps out the exact movements your teeth need to make, estimates your treatment timeline, and discusses your options, expected outcomes, and cost with you in detail before anything is placed.
Brackets are bonded to each tooth and connected with an archwire that's shaped to begin guiding your teeth toward their target positions. This appointment is comfortable and typically takes about an hour to ninety minutes.
Every four to eight weeks, you'll return for a quick adjustment where we tighten or swap out wires, add or replace rubber bands if needed, and monitor your progress against the original treatment plan.
Once your teeth have reached their ideal alignment, we carefully remove the brackets and adhesive, then polish your teeth to remove any remaining residue, revealing your fully straightened smile.
We fit you with a custom retainer to preserve your results. Consistent retainer wear, especially in the months immediately following treatment, is essential to prevent teeth from drifting back out of alignment.
We treat every member of your family under one roof, from a child's first orthodontic evaluation to an adult's decision to finally straighten their smile, so you never need to juggle multiple specialists or offices.
We walk you through your treatment plan, realistic timeline, and full cost breakdown up front, with no vague estimates or hidden adjustment fees added along the way.
Adjustment appointments are efficient and scheduled with your family's routine in mind, including early morning and after-school time slots so orthodontic care doesn't disrupt work or school.
Our clinicians have years of hands-on orthodontic experience, closely monitoring tooth movement at every visit and adjusting your plan proactively if we notice anything that needs fine-tuning.
We explain what's happening at every stage of treatment in plain language, so you and your child always understand why an adjustment is being made and what progress has been achieved.
We use gentle techniques and offer wax, care tips, and quick troubleshooting for any bracket or wire irritation, so your treatment stays as comfortable as possible from start to finish.
"My daughter had a complicated overbite and the team at Gallagher explained every step of her treatment plan clearly. Two years later her smile is beautiful and her bite is so much healthier. Worth every visit."
- Melissa R.
"I got braces as an adult and was nervous about it, but the staff made every adjustment appointment quick and painless. I'm 34 and finally have the smile I always wanted. Highly recommend this practice."
- David T.
"Both of my kids got braces here and the office made scheduling around school so easy. They always explained what was happening and the results speak for themselves. So glad we found this practice."
- Angela P.
Most patients wear braces between 18 and 30 months, though the exact timeline depends on the severity of misalignment, your age, and how consistently you follow at-home care instructions and attend adjustment visits. Minor corrections can be completed in as little as 12 months, while more complex bite issues may take closer to 3 years.
Braces aren't typically painful, but you can expect some soreness or pressure for two to four days after the initial placement and after each adjustment visit as your teeth begin shifting. Over-the-counter pain relievers, soft foods, and orthodontic wax for any bracket irritation usually keep discomfort very manageable.
Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 14, once most or all permanent teeth have erupted, though we recommend an initial evaluation around age 7 to catch developing bite issues early. That said, braces work effectively at any age, and a growing number of our patients are adults seeking treatment for the first time.
Yes, you'll want to avoid hard, sticky, or extremely chewy foods like ice, hard candy, caramel, and popcorn, as they can bend wires or pop brackets loose. We'll provide you with a complete food guide and practical substitutions at your bonding appointment so you know exactly what to avoid.
Brushing after every meal, using an orthodontic-friendly floss threader or water flosser, and rinsing with fluoride mouthwash are all essential habits while wearing braces. We'll demonstrate the proper technique at your bonding appointment and check in on your hygiene at every adjustment visit.
Many dental insurance plans include partial orthodontic coverage, particularly for patients under 18, though benefits vary widely between plans. Our front desk team will verify your coverage before treatment begins and walk you through flexible in-house payment plan options to make treatment affordable.
Schedule a consultation with Gallagher Family Dentistry today and let our team build an orthodontic plan tailored to your smile. Call us at (555) 123-4567 or request your appointment online in just a few minutes.
