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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.