Something For Every Smile
Interceptive Treatment
(Ages 7-12)
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an initial orthodontic evaluation at the age of 7. Early orthodontic care helps detect unhealthy habits, guide jaw growth with expansion and functional appliances, and create and maintain space for emerging permanent teeth. By addressing concerns early, we can often reduce the need for more extensive and invasive treatment later. A proactive approach sets the foundation for a healthy, confident smile!
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Title
- Reducing the possibility of removing permanent teeth to correct overcrowding
- Lowers the risk of trauma to protrusive front teeth
- Guides jaw growth and permanent teeth into more favorable positions
- Manages crowding and spacing issues
- Corrects harmful habits
- Improves appearance and self-esteem
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Clear Aligners
Clear aligners offer a nearly invisible way to straighten your teeth. Comfortable and removable, they fit seamlessly into your lifestyle with limited food restrictions and easy cleaning routines. From full bite correction to simple relapse alignment or space closure, enjoy fewer office visits and the freedom to smile confidently throughout your treatment.
Surgical Orthodontics
Specialized treatment combining orthodontics and jaw surgery to correct severe bite issues and facial asymmetry. This interdisciplinary approach improves both function and esthetics to achieve facial balance and life-changing results when braces alone aren't enough.
Retainers
Keep your new smile looking its absolute best with a same-day custom retainer without impressions! Designed to maintain your results, retainers prevent teeth from shifting over time. Comfortable and easy to wear, they’re an essential step in preserving your beautiful, straight smile long term.
Observation
These complimentary appointments allow us to monitor your child’s growth and development before determining the optimal timing for treatment.
Observation visits have several benefits:
- Monitoring the growth and development of the jaws and face
- Tracking the eruption pattern of permanent teeth and referring for the removal of baby teeth when necessary
- Identifying early signs of potential orthodontic problems
- Assessing changes in dental alignment and bite relationships over time
What Is An Orthodontist? Definition, Meaning & How We Can Help
"What exactly is an orthodontic specialist?" Many people use the terms dentist and orthodontist interchangeably, but there's an important distinction. Understanding what an orthodontist means and how we are trained can help you make the best decision for you or your child's smile.
What Does an Orthodontist Do?
As an orthodontic specialist, Dr. Herrington is also a dentist who completed an additional 2.5 years of advanced education after dental school, focusing exclusively on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. While your general dentist handles routine cleanings, restorations, and overall oral health, an orthodontist specializes in the science of moving teeth and guiding jaw development.
At The Bluff Orthodontics, we are dedicated solely to helping patients of all ages achieve straighter, healthier smiles.
What Conditions Does an Orthodontist Treat?
Orthodontists treat a wide range of tooth and jaw alignment issues. Here are some of the most common conditions we correct:
Gaps and Spaces Between Teeth. Unwanted gaps or spaces between teeth — also called a diastema — can affect both your smile's appearance and function. We use braces or clear aligners to gently close these spaces for a uniform, confident look.
Crossbite. This occurs when upper and lower teeth (& jaws) don't align properly where some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down. Left untreated, a crossbite can lead to uneven tooth wear or asymmetric jaw growth. Early intervention is key.
Overjet. This term gets confused with overbite, but increased overjet is the proper way to describe when top teeth are too far forward from the bottom teeth or teeth that “stick out.” It is important to address this early to prevent dental trauma in young, growing children.
Overbite. An overbite (also called "deep bite") is when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth excessively. This is one of the most common issues orthodontists treat and correction is possible with modern treatment options.
Underbite. An underbite occurs when the lower jaw protrudes forward, causing lower front teeth to sit in front of the upper teeth. This can affect chewing, speaking, long-term jaw health, facial esthetics, and symmetry.
Crowding. Crowded teeth happen when there isn't enough space in the jaw for teeth to erupt properly. Crowded teeth are harder to clean and can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease — in addition to affecting your smile's appearance.
Open Bite. An open bite is when upper and lower teeth don't make contact when biting. The cause of this can range from tongue thrusting to digit habits. An open bite can make it difficult to chew certain foods and may contribute to speech difficulties. We can correct this with an appliance that helps to re-train the tongue and create a deterrent for digit placement.
Misaligned Midline. When the center of your upper teeth doesn't line up with the center of your lower teeth, it can throw off the symmetry of your smile. Orthodontic treatment can correct midline discrepancies for a more balanced, natural look.
Jaw Misalignment. When the teeth and jaws don't fit together correctly due to a jaw discrepancy. Orthodontists are uniquely trained to diagnose and treat all types of malocclusions, improving both function and aesthetics.
Why Choose an Orthodontist for Braces and Aligners?
Orthodontists complete years of additional specialized training beyond dental school — dedicated entirely to tooth and jaw alignment and craniofacial growth. That focused expertise makes all the difference. While your general dentist is a trusted partner in your overall oral health, an orthodontist is uniquely qualified to provide braces, clear aligners, retainers, and comprehensive orthodontic care for patients of all ages — children, teens, and adults.
Ready to start your smile journey?
Whether you have crowded teeth, a crossbite, or simply want to close a gap, The Bluff Orthodontics is committed to transforming your smile and creating the confident smile you deserve. We proudly serve patients in Bluffton, Hilton Head, and the surrounding Lowcountry area.
Join our waitlist today -
and discover The bluff orthodontics difference
Financing options that put you on the fast-track to your best smile yet
You deserve a confident, healthy smile without financial stress. Our transparent pricing model breaks down exactly what you’ll pay, why you’ll pay it, and how we can make your dream smile affordable.
We provide detailed estimates of treatment time, explain the specific appliances we’ll use, and offer flexible in-house financing options with 0% interest. Finally, your best smile is within reach.
