Serving Children, Teens & Adults
Here at Dillehay Orthodontics, we believe everyone should be able to get quality orthodontic care and a beautiful straight smile.
We’re proud to offer a full range of orthodontics to children, teens, and adults all around Wichita, Derby, Arkansas City, Pratt, and the surrounding areas.
Choose Your Look
Dillehay Orthodontics offers a variety of fixed and removable orthodontic appliances you can choose from.
These options include:
Orthodontics for Children
The best time for kids to have their first orthodontic check-up is at age seven. By this age, your child’s teeth are developed enough for Dr. JK Dillehay to detect issues with jaw growth and emerging teeth at the best time for intervention.
There are a few possible outcomes for your child’s first orthodontic visit:
- Your child’s bite is fine, and you won’t need to take further action
- We spot a developing problem and recommend monitoring your child’s growth and starting treatment down the road.
- Your orthodontist detects an issue that could benefit from early treatment, and we start the process of intercepting the problem before it worsens.
Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. In some cases, Dr. JK Dillehay or Dr. Ken Dillehay can achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws are fully developed.
Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early, giving your child’s 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
Orthodontics for Teens
The most common time for orthodontic treatment is during the teen years since most permanent teeth have erupted, but there is still time to correct issues before development is complete.
Experienced orthodontists like Dr. JK Dillehay and Dr. Ken Dillehay can easily recognize spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment issues in this age range, and your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough to support orthodontic treatment.
Some teens may have even started phase one treatment earlier and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.
Beyond outward appearances, untreated dental problems can impact your teen’s oral and overall health. 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
Orthodontics for Adults
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.
If you leave misaligned teeth untreated, you may develop 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.
Orthodontic treatment can help correct crooked teeth or spaces you’ve been self-conscious about for years and give you the confidence and pride that come with straight teeth and a great smile.
You’re never too old to benefit from orthodontic treatment. Today, adults make up about one in every five orthodontic patients, and at Dillehay Orthodontics, you can choose from several comfortable, effective treatments to get your dream smile.
Start With a Free Consultation
Start your journey towards a healthy new smile today and schedule your free consultation with Dr. JK Dillehay or Dr. Ken Dillehay.
Come to Dillehay Orthodontics, and we’ll discuss your options and develop an orthodontic treatment plan designed just for your needs and smile goals.