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AAO Member Site Find an Orthodontist Find an Orthodontist Search for: About AAO Bullying Bites Support FSA Increase Adult Orthodontics Child Orthodontics Treatments Braces Aligners Retainers Archwires Elastics Mouthguards Orthodontic Surgery AAOF Donated Treatments Resources Smile Insights Blog Common Orthodontic Problems Why Orthodontics? How to Choose an Orthodontist Orthodontist vs. Dentist At-Home Orthodontics FAQs Orthodontic Staff Careers Glossary of Orthodontic Terms Press Room A custom smile created just for you by an AAO orthodontist Find an Orthodontist AAO Warns Against Mewing” Trend Learn More Dealing with SmileDirectClub closure – AAO can help! Learn More Adult Orthodontics Today, one in four orthodontic patients is an adult. Learn More Child Orthodontics Your child should have a check-up with an orthodontist by age 7. Learn More Customized Treatment to Match Your Needs The American Association of Orthodontists helps to connect patients with the right orthodontist. AAO orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile. Learn More Orthodontic Treatment Options Braces Composed of brackets that are affixed to teeth and wires that are threaded through slots in the brackets. Learn More Aligners Clear, thin, plastic-like trays that are formed to fit an individual’s teeth. Patients are responsible for insertion and removal. Learn More Retainers Removable, clear, thin, slightly flexible, and made of a plastic-like material. They fit the exact shape and placement of the teeth. Learn More Archwires Archwires fit into the slots in braces and actually move the teeth. Learn More Elastics Elastics are tiny rubber bands that apply extra force to a tooth or teeth in ways that braces alone cannot. This helps teeth move into their ideal positions. Learn More Mouthguards A mouth guard is used by athletes of all ages to protect teeth from trauma during competitive and individual sporting activities. Learn More Orthodontic Surgery Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, is corrective jaw surgery performed to remedy skeletal problems that affect the ability to bite, chew and speak. Learn More Gifted Smiles Gifted Smiles is a program of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF) that provides necessary orthodontic treatments to children of families who lack access to care. Learn More Considering At-Home Treatments? Orthodontic treatment is not a quick fix. Working with the right orthodontist to determine a treatment plan can yield life-enhancing results. Read This First Why Orthodontics? Oral health is a window into your overall health. Orthodontic treatment from the best orthodontists in the U.S. helps ensure proper function of teeth and create healthy smiles. A good bite makes it easier for you to bite, chew and speak. Teeth that are misaligned are harder to clean and can cause abnormal wearing of tooth enamel which can lead to extensive and expensive dental procedures. Learn More Common Problems There are a handful of common tooth, mouth and jaw problems that require orthodontic care. Some of the most common problems include jaw pain, crooked teeth, underbite, overbite, mouth breathing or speech difficulty. We recommend seeking care the moment you or your child starts to experience these or other dental problems. Learn More How to Choose The Right Orthodontist There are a lot of treatment options available, from clear aligners to modern braces. They each have their uses, but only an orthodontist has the specialized knowledge to identify and plan for all the variables involved. Just as each smile is unique, so is the treatment option. It’s important to choose the right orthodontist who has the knowledge and full range of tools to create a customized treatment plan to address your orthodontic needs. Learn More The Passionate Pursuit of Healthy Smiles Why AAO 65% of adults do not have well-aligned front teeth 4M people in the U.S need or already have braces 3700 orthodontists have 3,700 hours of additional training in the science of moving teeth Why AAO Blog Plan Now, Smile Forever: Smart Savings on Orthodontic Care This may seem like an odd time of year to discuss HSA/FSA funds, but at the AAO, we think this could be the MOST appropriate time to talk about it. And more importantly, you do not have to wait. 1 Mar 2022 1 min read Blog Uncovering the Health Benefits of Orthodontists As a part of looking healthy and with the understanding that on-camera meetings are here to stay, you may be curious about straightening your teeth. 4 Jan 2022 1 min read Blog Holiday Hurdles: Navigating Broken Braces Bracket Issues 1 Nov 2021 1 min read NewsArticles Ready to Get Started? 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