Orthodontic Treatment Options
Transform your smile with our comprehensive orthodontic services at Austin Institute of Dental Medicine. Our expert orthodontists provide personalized treatment plans using the latest techniques and technologies to achieve beautiful, functional results for patients of all ages.
If you are ready for Invisalign, lingual braces, traditional braces, or other orthodontic solutions, we offer in-office orthodontic consultations and treatments. Call AIDM today to get started.
Understanding Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry focused on straightening your teeth for the improved function and aesthetics of your smile. AIDM offers a variety of ways to straighten your teeth, some with an emphasis on the appearance of your smile, and reducing gaps or crooked teeth, and some with an emphasis on enhancing the health of your teeth.
How Can Orthodontics Help?
Orthodontics addresses many issues. If you are struggling with the following issues, orthodontics can help:
Gaps in your teeth
Crooked or overlapping teeth
A lisp or whistle from misaligned teeth
Jaw pain or airway issues such as sleep apnea
Malocclusions in your jaw, such as an underbite or overbite
Jaw pain or tooth pain
The best way to know if orthodontic solutions can help you achieve your smile goals is by scheduling a consultation with one of our orthodontists. We offer orthodontic care as well as cosmetic and general dentistry care, making your dental journey more convenient than ever.
The Benefits of Orthodontic Treatments
Orthodontic care offers far more than a straighter smile. By improving how your teeth, bite, and jaw work together, orthodontics supports long-term oral health, daily comfort, and overall wellness. At Austin Institute of Dental Medicine, every orthodontic treatment plan is designed to deliver lasting benefits that extend beyond appearance alone.
1
Oral Health Protection:
Straight, properly aligned teeth are easier to clean and maintain. Orthodontic treatment reduces areas where plaque and bacteria collect, lowering the risk of cavities, gum disease, and chronic inflammation. Proper alignment also helps protect enamel from uneven wear, supporting a healthy smile over time.
2
Bite Balance & Jaw Comfort:
Correcting bite discrepancies allows your teeth to function together more evenly, reducing strain on the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. Improved bite alignment can help minimize jaw pain, TMJ-related discomfort, headaches, and uneven tooth wear caused by misaligned pressure during chewing or clenching.
3
Improved Function & Daily Comfort:
Orthodontics improves how your teeth work during everyday activities. Proper alignment supports clearer speech, more efficient chewing, and improved overall comfort. Patients often notice reduced muscle tension and fatigue as their bite becomes more balanced and functional.
4
Whole-Body & Airway Health:
Dental alignment plays an important role in overall wellness. By reducing jaw strain and improving structural balance, orthodontics can contribute to better posture, decreased facial tension, and improved comfort. In some cases, airway-focused orthodontic treatments and specialized appliances can help support healthier breathing and assist in managing sleep-related concerns.
5
Confidence & Facial Harmony:
A straighter smile can significantly improve self-confidence in both social and professional settings. Orthodontic treatment also supports facial balance by guiding teeth and jaws into healthier positions, enhancing natural symmetry so patients feel more comfortable sharing their smile.
6
Long-Term Stability & Lasting Results:
Our orthodontic treatments are carefully planned to deliver results that last. Customized treatment plans, advanced technology, and long-term retention strategies help preserve both function and appearance for years to come.
If you’re ready to improve how your smile looks, functions, and feels, orthodontic care can offer a lasting solution.
The Long-Term Consequences of a Crooked Smile
Living with misaligned teeth is more than a cosmetic concern. Over time, a crooked smile can affect how you feel about yourself, how your teeth function, and how your facial features age. Teeth that are out of alignment are harder to clean, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. Uneven bite forces can strain the jaw joints and lead to chronic discomfort, while crowding or spacing can change facial balance and profile.
Potential long-term consequences of untreated misalignment include:
Orthodontics can address these concerns at any stage of life—meaning you don’t have to live with these issues forever.
Comprehensive Orthodontic Solutions
We offer a full spectrum of orthodontic treatments designed to address everything from mild cosmetic concerns to complex functional and skeletal issues. Each treatment plan is customized based on your anatomy, goals, and long-term oral health—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces remain one of the most reliable and effective orthodontic solutions available. Today’s metal, ceramic, and self-ligating braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than earlier generations. Because they are fixed in place, braces provide precise control over tooth movement, making them ideal for complex alignment and bite correction. Ceramic and self-ligating options offer improved aesthetics and efficiency, while traditional metal braces remain a durable and cost-effective choice for patients of all ages.
Best suited for patients who need:
Invisalign® Clear Aligners
Clear aligners use a series of custom-designed trays to gradually shift teeth into alignment without brackets or wires. Invisalign® and in-house aligner systems are popular among teens and adults seeking a discreet, flexible treatment option. Aligners are removable for eating, brushing, and flossing, which supports better oral hygiene during treatment. Digital planning allows patients to preview expected results, while fewer in-office visits make aligners a convenient choice for busy lifestyles.
Best suited for patients who want:
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are placed on the inside surfaces of the teeth, making them virtually invisible from the outside. They offer the same corrective power as traditional braces while maintaining complete discretion. Each system is custom-made to fit the unique contours of your teeth, for optimal comfort and precision. Lingual braces are an excellent option for professionals or image-conscious patients who require comprehensive orthodontic correction without visible appliances.
Best suited for patients who need:
Advanced & Specialized Orthodontic Care
These services address growth-related concerns, complex biomechanics, and medical conditions that extend beyond cosmetic tooth alignment.
Phase I & Phase II Orthodontics (Early Intervention)
Early orthodontic treatment focuses on guiding jaw growth and correcting developmental issues while a child’s mouth is still growing. Phase I treatment typically begins in childhood to address spacing, bite alignment, or airway development. Phase II treatment follows once permanent teeth erupt, refining alignment and bite stability. Early intervention can reduce treatment complexity later, support healthy jaw development, and improve long-term outcomes for growing patients.
TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices)
Temporary Anchorage Devices, or TADs, are small, temporary anchors placed in bone to provide enhanced control during orthodontic treatment. They allow orthodontists to move teeth with greater precision without relying solely on elastics or patient compliance. TADs are especially useful in complex cases. They can help reduce treatment time, avoid extractions, and facilitate tooth movements that may not be possible with braces or aligners alone.
Surgical Orthodontics (Pre- & Post-Orthognathic Surgery)
Surgical orthodontics is used when jaw discrepancies are too severe to be corrected with orthodontics alone. Treatment involves coordinated care between our orthodontists and oral surgeons, with braces or aligners used before and after jaw surgery. Surgical orthodontics is often life-changing for patients with significant skeletal imbalances that affect comfort, appearance, or breathing.
Airway-Focused Orthodontics & Sleep Apnea Appliances
Airway-focused orthodontics evaluates how jaw position and dental alignment affect breathing and sleep quality. Specialized orthodontic approaches and oral appliances can help improve airway space and assist in managing sleep-disordered breathing or mild sleep apnea. These treatments may benefit both children and adults by promoting functional breathing, reducing strain on the jaw, and supporting overall wellness beyond the smile.
Retainers & Long-Term Maintenance
Retention is a critical phase of orthodontic care. After active treatment is complete, custom retainers help maintain alignment and prevent teeth from shifting back over time. Retainers are tailored to each patient’s needs and may be removable or fixed, depending on the case. Ongoing maintenance and monitoring ensure that your orthodontic results remain stable, protecting the investment made in achieving a healthy, aligned smile.
Choosing the Right Orthodontic Treatment for You
The right treatment depends on how much correction is needed, how your bite functions, and your long-term health goals. Each solution will look a bit different, and may take a different length of time depending on the patient and the style of orthodontics.
Treatments for Mild to Moderate Cases
These options focus on cosmetic alignment and minor bite corrections with efficient timelines and minimal lifestyle disruption.
- Clear Aligners (Invisalign®, In-House Aligners)
- Traditional Braces (Select Cases)
- Phase I Orthodontics (Early Intervention)
Treatments for Moderate to Complex Cases
These solutions provide greater control over tooth movement, jaw position, and long-term functional stability.
- Traditional Braces (Metal, Ceramic, Self-Ligating)
- Lingual Braces
- TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices)
Treatments for Advanced Functional or Skeletal Concerns
Recommended when jaw structure, airway health, or long-term function are primary considerations.
- Surgical Orthodontics
- Airway-Focused Orthodontics & Sleep Apnea Appliances
- TMJ-Focused Orthodontic Care
A comprehensive orthodontic consultation allows our team to evaluate your alignment, bite, jaw function, and goals. We will create a treatment plan that is helps you achieve optimal health and meet your cosmetic goals.
Why Choose AIDM for Orthodontics?
Our orthodontic team has advanced training in the latest techniques and technologies. This allows us to offer comfortable solutions and precise results, all with predictability. We honor your goals for your smile by using our technology to plan each step.
We take a comprehensive approach, considering not just the alignment of your teeth but also your facial aesthetics, jaw function, and overall oral health. All treatment plans begin with a thorough consultation and detailed digital imaging to assist in precise planning and predictable results.
Trained Orthodontists for Your Case
At AIDM, orthodontic care is provided by clinicians with advanced orthodontic training—not general dentists offering limited services. This expertise allows us to manage everything from cosmetic straightening to complex bite correction, TMJ considerations, and interdisciplinary cases requiring surgical or restorative coordination.
In-Office Orthodontic Solutions
AIDM provides complete orthodontic care alongside general dentistry, emergency services, and specialty treatment—all in one location. This integrated approach reduces referrals, streamlines treatment timelines, and helps patients save both time and money while receiving coordinated, expert care.
Caring for Your Braces and Aligners
Proper care during orthodontic treatment protects your progress and keeps your smile healthy.
Caring for Aligners
Clear aligners should be worn as directed, which is typically for 20–22 hours per day. Remove them for meals and cleanings, rinse after removal, and gently clean aligners daily using approved solutions. Avoid exposing the aligners to heat, which can warp the trays.
Caring for Traditional Braces
Braces require careful oral hygiene to prevent plaque buildup around brackets and wires. Brush thoroughly after meals, floss daily using orthodontic tools, and avoid hard or sticky foods that can damage appliances. Regular checkups help ensure your treatment stays on track.
Orthodontic FAQs
Experience Convenient Orthodontic Care
Our in-office orthodontic care is comprehensive and convenient, all under the same roof. No referrals, no hassle. If you are ready to have straighter teeth and a more confident smile, reach out to schedule a consultation with our orthodontic team today.
