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Patient. Jenna came to us as an 11-year-old girl who had real concerns about "naturally" missing a front tooth and having another "smaller" front tooth.

Problem. We reached out to Jenna’s dentist and worked with him to devise a treatment plan. We decided that the first step would be to leave the space around the "small" tooth. Eventually Jenna’s dentist would place a veneer here. The second step was to create space where her adult tooth was missing in preparation for an eventual implant. The problem was that Jenna was too young to get an implant. Typically, the earliest someone can receive an implant to replace a missing tooth is when they reach the age of 18. This is because we want to make sure the jaw bones of the patient are done growing first!

Solution. Jenna, as we mentioned, was 11, so we placed braces, straightened her teeth, and created the proper spaces needed for future dental work. 

The Process. Shortly afterwards, her dentist placed a beautiful veneer as needed. And, in order to hold the other implant space until she was older, we created a "fake tooth" which is glued to other teeth. From the front, the fake tooth looks just like a normal tooth!  But viewed from the back, you can see where the glue and thin wire is placed for stability.

Results. Years later as an adult in her early 20's, Jenna came back to us to finish the job!  The fake tooth was removed. Then a retainer was made to hold this space while the implant was placed. You can see the incredible outcome by the photos. We could not be happier for Jenna and the orthodontic journey she took with us at the Baltimore Orthodontic Group!

Patient. Jack came to see us as an awesome 8-year-old. His parents had a few concerns with his teeth. They were all looking for help . . . and answers!

Problem. Jack is an active elementary school child. He and his parents came to us with concerns of spacing between his front teeth. Though at the age of 8, some space between the front teeth is perfectly normal, in Jack’s case it was excessive. Panoramic x-rays revealed other concerns. Jack’s adult canines were high and on the verge of being blocked out!

Solution. Jack would benefit from Phase One orthodontic treatment. Because of his active lifestyle, Jack and his parents were hopeful for a minimally invasive treatment option! They came to the right place. As one of the leading Invisalign providers in the nation, Baltimore Orthodontic Group is on the forefront of technology - offering Invisalign First treatment!*  Invisalign First is similar to Invisalign for adults – though it is specifically tailored to children between 7 to 11 years of age. 

The benefits of Invisalign First are twofold. The process allows for excellent dental arch development and expansion which aids in the eruption of adult teeth while also helping in the alignment of front teeth. The goals of Phase One (or early interceptive treatment) is different for every patient but the overarching theme is to allow for ideal eruption of adult teeth. In Jack’s case, our goals were to close space between the front teeth, as well as to produce a slight expansion of the upper and lower dental arches to help Jack’s permanent canines erupt in a better position. This treatment option also allows us to address the chief concern for Jack and his parents – the spacing between his front teeth! With Invisalign First, patients are seeing us less often (an average of once every 3 months) and experiencing fewer emergencies than traditional methods. And doctors really like the Invisalign First option as it is easier for the patient to brush and floss teeth.

Process. After deciding that Invisalign First was the ideal treatment option for Jack, the doctors at Baltimore Orthodontics Group got to work. We use the software technology available through Invisalign to set up the treatment process for Jack. When Jack came in for his first, easy-start appointment he quickly mastered the techniques for placing and removing the Invisalign trays. After some instructions, he was on his way to his next activities without missing a beat.

Results. Jack was treated with 25 Invisalign First aligners and in just over 6 months, Jack was done with active treatment and moved on to retention!  Spaces closed, expansion was achieved, and room for the adult teeth was created!  Jack’s case was a success and Jack and his parents were very happy with the results and the process!

*Note for Phase One Treatment. Age seven to eight is the appropriate time for an initial orthodontic evaluation. Around this time frame, early signs of crowding and malocclusion can be identified. It is also often the easiest and most effective age to address the issues. Some children will not need a first phase of treatment. And likewise, not all children should be treated with Invisalign First. There are still certain situations and bites that are best treated with traditional appliances. Schedule a complimentary consultation with the doctors at Baltimore Group to see if Phase One treatment is needed and if Invisalign First of the best option for your family!

John Woodley would be the first to tell you that his experience with Baltimore Orthodontics was fantastic!

Patient. John grew up, and went through adulthood, thinking that he wouldn’t ever have straight teeth. For him, the process and outcome were a dream come true.

Problem. Throughout his lifetime, John’s teeth were crooked. He always thought he would have to just live with them. He didn’t think, at least in his case, that it was possible to have straight teeth.

Solution. Luckily for John, he came to the right place. From the beginning, John was assured that his teeth could indeed be straightened with Invisalign aligners and realize his dream of a huge smile with straight teeth!

The Process. John worked with Dr. Ken Kyser and his associates throughout his treatment. His teeth were crooked and overlapping, and affected his ability to eat certain foods. His teeth also kept him from smiling – he knew they just didn’t look good.  

Results. As you can see by the results in the photo, John had a very successful outcome. When we asked John to describe the treatment, he described it as fantastic. For him it was a dream come true. He added that everyone at the practice was compassionate, and the experience was entirely professional. In fact, he recommends the practice to everyone he knows who needs straighter teeth! Thanks John, we sure appreciate it!

As adults, our teeth can move, causing misalignment and crowding. There is often some anxiety for adults when they seek out orthodontic care. The idea of combining metal braces with their busy work and social lives is not inviting.  

Patient. Steph came to us as an adult. She wanted orthodontic treatment to correct crowding and rotations that returned, even after having had braces as a kid.

Problem. As a thriving professional, Steph was concerned about starting orthodontic treatment again as an adult. She was worried about having attention drawn to her by having traditional metal braces on her teeth. Steph lives a busy life and hesitated undergoing treatment again because she remembered the frequent visits, frustrating emergencies – including poking wires and broken brackets – and all the dietary restrictions! Steph appreciates her individualism. She wanted to be seen for who she is and the specific needs she has as a patient.

Solution. Luckily for Steph, she came to Baltimore Orthodontic Group, one of the leading Invisalign* providers in Maryland. Steph was seen by Dr. Barnes, and after a discussion and evaluation, it was decided together that Invisalign would be a great choice for Steph.  Steph was thrilled with the Invisalign option for treatment, as it would reduce the number of appointments needed. (On average, BOG patients treated with Invisalign are seen every three months.) We also assured her that the Invisalign option would limit the number of emergencies. Additionally, Invisalign is a more comfortable and esthetic option than traditional braces. And, there are almost no dietary restrictions with Invisalign treatment.

Dr. Barnes loves to offer Invisalign as it allows for better brushing and flossing. It’s also more comfortable for his patients. Most importantly, the advanced technology of Invisalign allows him to tailor treatment for the specific need of every patient. With Invisalign, the doctors at Baltimore Orthodontic Group are provided with hundreds of data points that allow them to fully understand each unique patient. In Steph’s case, Dr. Barnes used the latest technology to determine that a few teeth needed to be reshaped to provide the best results. There is so much information provided by Invisalign that, in combination with the training and experience the docs at Baltimore Orthodontic Group have, they are uniquely qualified to achieve the best possible results for every patient!

The Process. Steph came in for complimentary records (photos, x-rays, and Invisalign Scan) and same day consultation with Dr. Barnes. After their discussion, the decision was made to proceed with Invisalign treatment. From here, Dr. Barnes set up Steph’s individually tailored Invisalign plan. Steph just recently began her treatment and was given her first set of Invisalign trays. We’ll see Steph back in about three months and will aim to finish her treatment in approximately 16 months.

Results. Please stay tuned: We look forward to updating you all on Steph’s Invisalign journey!

Note for Adults. We can provide wonderful results with Invisalign, but we also understand that Invisalign may not be the best option for every patient. At BOG, we treat plenty of adults who choose braces over Invisalign. In some cases, we even offer clear ceramic braces. Regardless of treatment modality or age, we provide the best possible results! Schedule an appointment to decide what option is best for you!

*Note on Invisalign. Invisalign is not just for adults anymore! The doctors at Baltimore Orthodontic Group are treating teens and kids with Invisalign Teen and Invisalign First. A blog post about our great success with Invisalign for kids will be coming soon!

Zach and Layla came to us at different times to help with problems with their teeth. Years later, and by sheer coincidence, here they are at their homecoming! We love celebrating their new smiles and new adventures!

Patients:

These two young people originally came to us with different problems. Zach’s teeth were irregularly spaced; Layla’s mouth was crowded.

Problems/Solutions:

Zack: With uneven spacing between his teeth,Zach needed braces to close everything together properly. You can see his before and after photos below.

Layla: Layla needed early treatment with a headgear and expander. A few years later, braces were added to make everything even. Here before and after photos are presented below.

Results:  You can see by their homecoming photo that the results for both patients were outstanding. They are both proud of their smiles and happy to show them off to everyone. The parents are happy too that treatment went so smoothly and the results were incredible!

Madeline came to Baltimore Orthodontic Group as a referral from her pediatric dentist. At the time, Madeline was 8 years old.

Patient. Madeline’s dentist had noticed the development of a posterior crossbite forming on her right-side. A crossbite occurs when the upper dental arch is too small to fit properly on the lower dental arch. Additionally, Madeline had limited space in the anterior to allow for the eruption of her front teeth. Both her pediatric dentist and mom were concerned about how that crowding would potentially restrict the proper development of her permanent dentition.

Problem. Posterior crossbites do not self-correct with time. In actuality, posterior crossbites become harder to treat as children grow older and their bones begin to "solidify" and become more resistant to changes. Because of this, early intervention is recommended to address posterior crossbites at a young age. It is also important to ensure that adequate space exists for the eruption of all permanent teeth. When there is no space, teeth can often become ectopic (or out of position), and in severe cases, the teeth can even get stuck.

Solution. The decision was made to begin Madeline's case with a palatal expander, which would create additional room to either side of her mouth in order to address the fact that her upper and lower teeth didn’t align properly. Several months later, upper and lower braces were added to help align the front teeth and create more space for the eruption of all adult teeth.

Process. Phase 1. Madeline began her first phase of treatment with Baltimore Orthodontic Group in 2018 and was finished by 2020. In order to stabilize the work that had been done, Madeline was then prescribed retainers to wear at night.

Madeline continued to see us at 4-6 month intervals during this stabilization period. During this time, we kept track as she lost her baby teeth and observed the eruption of her adult teeth. Upon the eruption of her 12-year molars, Madeline was ready for a short course of treatment to finalize her bite and make her smile absolutely perfect.

Phase 2. Her second phase of treatment spanned less than 24 months with full upper and lower braces.

Result.  The results for Madeline were absolutely stunning – as you can see by the photos above. Madeline was a great patient and committed to a positive result throughout the whole process. A lower permanent retainer was placed at the end of Phase II in order to help the lower front teeth stay in their most ideal position.

A 9-year-old male and his mother came to us because of excessive crowding and a crossbite. His mom was worried about adult teeth coming in.

Patient. Jason first came to us as a 9-year-old child who exhibited excessive crowding of his teeth. He also had an anterior crossbite. His mom worried that his adult teeth, just beginning to show, were erupting in the wrong position.

Problem. Jason had the beginnings of an overcrowded mouth that would only get worse. He was still growing. We had to make room for erupting teeth and help to straighten his already present teeth.  Crossbites are not unusual in young children. They occur when an upper tooth erupts behind a lower tooth. Often the cause is due to excessive crowding, which was true in Jason’s case. Early orthodontic care is critical to treat crossbites to prevent gum recession, bone loss, and tooth damage.

Solution. This patient came to our office at the perfect time to eliminate the crossbite and to create adequate room for the rest of the adult teeth to erupt. Jason needed an arch expander to make room for his adult teeth, so we started with an upper expander. Then we added upper and lower partial braces to straighten the teeth he already had. Our solution was methodical. We wanted to keep Jason comfortable and not do too much at once. And he was still growing, so taking it step-by-step allowed for progression during growth.

Process. Jason was a young boy as he entered our practice. So of course he was hesitant. But by not throwing too much at him at once, we gained his confidence, and he trusted us. While he was hesitant at first, he was a great patient throughout the process. He actually came to our practice at the perfect time. Now he is ready to keep growing and to lose the remaining baby teeth.

Result.  This young boy is a great example of how Phase 1 treatment can avoid problems later. Seeing him early enough to add an expander and create room for upcoming teeth was instrumental in a very successful result. Jason was our patient for a little under 2 years. And when both he and his mom saw the final result, they were extremely thrilled. They could see by the photos just how far they had come. And Jason entered his preteen years with more confidence and a healthier mouth!  

A special note about treating young patients: The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an initial evaluation by an orthodontist by age 7 to evaluate the child's tooth eruption and growth pattern.  Not every child will need early treatment, but those that do will greatly benefit from it.