At Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, we provide a wide variety of orthodontic treatments in Buffalo. With our comprehensive range of services, we support patients of all ages, specialized to their unique needs. When you want to improve your smile, we’re happy to help you explore the best options for your care. It all starts with a completely free consultation.
What Are Orthodontic Treatments in Buffalo?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry focused on correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. Using braces, expanders, clear aligners, and other appliances, orthodontists guide teeth and bites into their ideal positions. The goal is to improve both the function and appearance of your smile.
Our practice is a cornerstone of orthodontic care in Western New York. We understand that a patient’s age and developmental stage directly shape their treatment needs. That’s why we offer services specific to each situation. This includes craniofacial orthodontics for patients with cleft lip and palate, early intervention for developing bites, and interventions that work for adult patients.
Braces & Other Orthodontic Appliances
Braces are the most widely known orthodontic treatment, for good reason. They straighten teeth, correct bites, and lay the foundation for a beautiful smile and comfortable bite. At our practice, patients can choose from several options to align their teeth, depending on their goals and preferences:
- Metal braces: the traditional, effective tool for correcting complex alignment and bite issues.
- Clear braces: tooth-colored brackets that blend with your smile, delivering results comparable to metal braces.
- Invisalign® clear aligners: custom, removable trays that correct mild to moderate alignment issues discreetly
Beyond braces and aligners, our practice offers palatal expanders to widen narrow upper jaws, allowing teeth to come in properly. For patients with skeletal overbites or underbites, we also use Herbst appliances to guide jaw development into better alignment.
Cleft Palate Treatment
Craniofacial orthodontics is a specific area of orthodontics centered on treating cleft lips and palates. Treatment involves multiple steps and a team of doctors coordinating care over the years as a child develops. Our orthodontists, Dr. Hietanen and Dr. Dusel, serve on the nationally recognized Craniofacial Team at Golisano Children’s Hospital. This is an ACPA-approved center dedicated to cleft lip and palate care.
Our doctors often partner with speech therapists and plastic surgeons who specialize in craniofacial reconstruction to customize treatment to each child. Craniofacial orthodontics handles the non-surgical portion of treating cleft lip and palate.
We are proud that families across Western New York trust our team to guide their children through every stage of this complex, multi-year treatment journey.
Early Orthodontic Intervention
The traditional approach to orthodontic treatments in Buffalo and beyond was to hold off until a child’s adult teeth had come in. We now know that most orthodontic problems are far easier to correct sooner rather than later. This is why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first screening at age 7. To that end, our practice strongly advocates the benefits of early orthodontic intervention.
When we see patients early, we can identify and address contributing factors before they become orthodontic problems. Early treatment allows us to leverage the child’s natural growth to correct issues. Oftentimes, this reduces the complexity and duration of care later on. In some cases, this could prevent the need for more invasive treatment altogether. Since we don’t charge for consultations, it’s worth bringing your child in for an early screening.
Adult Orthodontics
We also work with adult orthodontic patients, helping overcome the unique challenges to their care. Because adults are finished growing, their bone structure is less malleable than a child’s. This might limit how much we can move the teeth, and treatment timelines may be longer. When jawbone discrepancies are significant, we may recommend surgical orthodontics. This is a collaborative approach between orthodontists and an oral surgeon to physically reposition the jaws.
That said, adult orthodontic treatment is more common than ever, and today’s options make it easier than ever to pursue care without disrupting your life. For instance, many of our adult patients choose Invisalign® clear aligners for their near-invisible appearance and flexibility. When we see you for an adult orthodontics consultation, we’ll be straightforward with you about what’s achievable and build a plan that fits your life.
Learn More About Orthodontic Treatments in Buffalo
Orthodontists Associates of Western New York offers comprehensive orthodontic treatments in Buffalo for patients of all ages. Using braces, expanders, and other orthodontic appliances, we address alignment and bite issues. We also collaborate with specialists to provide craniofacial orthodontics for cleft palate treatment and proudly offer both early intervention and adult orthodontics.
Our practice has 7 convenient offices located throughout Western New York. We never charge until treatment begins, so there’s no risk in coming to see us. Schedule your free consultation today.
