Serving Children, Teens & Adults
Everyone around Kent and Northeast Ohio should have the opportunity to get quality orthodontic care and a beautiful smile.
At Belli & Streit Orthodontics, we proudly offer a full range of orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults.
Choose Your Treatment
Belli & Streit Orthodontics offers a variety of fixed and removable orthodontic appliances to choose from.
These options include:
- Traditional metal braces
- Ceramic braces
- Invisalign
- Invisalign for Teens
Orthodontics for Adults
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for children and teens. In fact, one in every five Belli & Streit Orthodontics patients is over the age of 21.
Orthodontics for Teens
If you have a teen in Kent or the surrounding areas who recently learned braces can improve their smile, you probably have lots of questions - we have your answers.
Orthodontics for Children
There’s no minimum age for your child to begin orthodontic treatment, but Dr. Belli, Dr. Streit, and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that your child should receive their first orthodontic evaluation by around the age of seven.
Why Should You Think About Orthodontic Treatment?
Straight Teeth Are Healthy Teeth
When your teeth are correctly aligned, it’s easier to keep them clean by flossing and brushing, which in turn helps to prevent other oral issues, including some that can affect your overall health.
A Straight Smile Can Build Up Confidence and Self-Esteem
Successfully completed orthodontic treatment can help boost your self-confidence, give you a better quality of life, and allow you to smile freely, maybe the first time in your life.
Untreated Oral Issues Will Get Worse
Delaying or refusing orthodontic treatment when it's needed can create long-term health issues that will wind up costing you more in the end.
Belli & Streit Orthodontics recognizes that children, teens, and adults will all have different dental needs, requiring a different level of attention and care.
We work diligently with each patient to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for you in the most inviting environment.
Get a Head Start on a Beautiful Smile
As a parent in Kent, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.
Dr. Belli, Dr. Streit, and our entire team will treat your children like our own by giving them the best orthodontic care available.
Kids Should See an Orthodontist By Age 7
Some orthodontic problems should be addressed between the ages of 7 and 10 before your child has all of their permanent teeth.
Most of the time, your orthodontist will take a “wait-and-see” approach, and will re-evaluate the growth and development of your child periodically.
Our doctors will monitor your child as they grow and will recommend the ideal time for your child to start treatment when needed.
Phase I Treatment
The goal of Phase I treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop.
A jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age. If children over the age of six are found to have a jaw discrepancy, they are possible candidates for early orthodontic treatment.
Planning now can save your child’s smile later. Children benefit tremendously from early phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may prevent the removal of permanent teeth later in life, or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws.
We will take orthodontic records to determine your unique treatment needs. Records consist of models or digital scans of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your child's initial consultation, Dr. Belli or Dr. Streit may take records to determine if early treatment is necessary.
Resting Period
At the end of the first phase of treatment the teeth are not in their final positions. This will be accomplished in the second phase of treatment. Your child will go into what is called a "resting period".
During this time, Dr. Belli or Dr. Streit will monitor your child as the remaining baby teeth are lost and the adult teeth erupt. Recall appointments are generally every six months.
Retainers may not be recommended if they would interfere with eruption.
Phase II
The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase II usually involves full upper and lower braces.
The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 18 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure you retain your beautiful smile.
Choosing the Best Time for Treatment
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early.
If Dr. Belli or Dr. Streit believe your child will need treatment, they’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips and face
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite.
If your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a consultation at our office. We can talk about your child's orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your child's needs.
Invest in Your Teen
The teen years between 12 and 16 are the most common time to start orthodontic treatment because most permanent teeth will be in place.
At Belli & Streit Orthodontics, some new solutions work to make the treatment process much easier than ever before.
All About Teen Orthodontics
Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Belli and Dr. Streit can easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment. In this age range your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough to allow orthodontic treatment to begin.
Some teens may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age, and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.
Beyond outward appearances, untreated dental problems can have a lasting impact on your teen’s oral and overall health.
If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a complimentary consultation with the team at Belli & Streit Orthodontics, since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.
- Early, late, or irregular loss of their baby teeth
- Difficulty with chewing or biting
- Crowding or extra spacing between teeth
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Frequent biting of the cheek or the inside of the mouth
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
- Protrusion of teeth
Sign of a Bad Bite
Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits.
Problems classified as “bad bites” can often be minimized with the proper orthodontic treatment, including:
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Missing or extra teeth
- An overbite or underbite
- Incorrect jaw position
- A disorder of the jaw joint
Benefits of a Straight Smile
Straight teeth that respond well to orthodontic treatment have many benefits, including:
- Being less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
- Being easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
- Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss
- Improving proper chewing and digestion of food
Choose Your Look
While creating a customized treatment plan for your teen, we might recommend an orthodontic appliance.
Here at Belli & Streit Orthodontics, we offer:
Metal Braces
Braces have come a very long way, even within the past decade. When many people think of braces, they think of extremely bulky metal brackets.
We don't use this type of bulky orthodontic appliance, and many of the new braces are lighter and more comfortable than ever before.
Ceramic Braces
Also known as clear braces, these work the same way metal braces do but feature brackets made of tooth-colored ceramic materials.
They blend in with your teen’s smile, making them much less obvious. Since ceramic braces are slightly more prone to breaking, and a little costlier than metal braces, they may not be best for everyone.
Invisalign® for Teens
The Invisalign system is made up of a series of fully customized, clear trays called aligners. These aligners are nearly invisible and totally removable.
Made of soft plastic, they provide a more comfortable orthodontic experience, with no friction or abrasions inside your teen’s mouth.
Each week your teen will switch their aligner for the next in the set. When worn the recommended 20-22 hours per day, your teen’s teeth will gradually move into the desired positions.
Invisalign works best for mild to moderate orthodontic issues, and may not be an option if your teen needs more serious treatment.
FAQs About Teen Orthodontics
Make an Investment in Your
Teen’s Smile Today
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future. During your consultation, Dr. Belli and Dr. Streit will be happy to discuss the benefits of treatment as well as the risk of putting it off.
Although adults can successfully complete orthodontic treatment, a teen’s jaws and teeth can respond quicker to orthodontic treatment, shortening their total treatment time.
It’s Never Too Late to Reach a Confident Smile
Your smile is the first thing other people notice about you. Do you love yours?
Orthodontic treatment with Belli & Streit Orthodontics can help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of at any age.
Why Choose Adult Orthodontics
Today, adults make up about one in every five orthodontic patients. Here’s why:
Beautiful Smiles Boost Confidence
Orthodontic treatment can help straighten crooked teeth or close spaces that you’ve been self-conscious about for years.
It can give you the confidence and pride that come with straight teeth and a great smile!
Your Teeth Can Shift
Believe it or not, your teeth don’t stop moving in adolescence. Teeth that seemed straight and aligned in youth could have shifted later in life.
This can lead to jaw pain, trouble brushing, or a smile you’re unhappy with.
Healthy Teeth are Easier to Maintain
If you leave misaligned teeth untreated, you may end up with other dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
You may also notice difficulty chewing or abnormal wear on the surface of your teeth.
FAQs About Adult Orthodontics
Get Started
Start your journey towards a healthy new smile today and schedule your first consultation with Belli & Streit Orthodontics.
Let's talk about your orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan that's customized to your needs and smile goals.