Orthodontist - Louisville, KY

Mattingly & Howell Orthodontics is a conservative, non-extraction oriented practice. This means that we prefer to treat patients without having permanent teeth removed to correct crowding whenever possible. We feel that there are advantages in aesthetics and function when borderline crowded cases are treated without extractions. It is sometimes necessary and even beneficial to extract as many as four permanent teeth. Yet, our treatment mechanics, ensure that they will only have to request that permanent teeth be extracted in a small percentage of our patients.

Often parents remark that orthodontics seems to be started at an earlier age these days than in the past. Early or interceptive treatment is initiated when obvious problems display themselves upon eruption of the initial permanent teeth. Usually, this treatment is fairly limited in scope as it is intended to improve an individual problem, which if unaddressed would cause greater problems to occur during the time that the remaining permanent teeth are erupting. This interceptive phase of treatment not only improves the existing problem but also establishes a more normal environment for the eruption of the other permanent teeth. Occasionally, this early treatment may be the only treatment needed, but typically a second, comprehensive phase of treatment is needed once all the permanent teeth erupt. We feel strongly that early treatment should be reserved for only the most severe problems and typically allow minor discrepancies at a young age to go untreated until all the teeth have erupted.

Braces are very familiar to most teens and are no longer associated with a social stigma. We offer a variety of options to suit your needs. The braces themselves come in silver, gold or clear. Of course, we utilize many of the popular colored ties, which attach the wire into the braces. We also utilize expansion and functional appliances which are totally inside the mouth and much less noticeable than headgear type appliances. Occasionally, headgears are necessary, but we never ask that they be worn in public!