At OP Smiles, we meet teenagers where they are, with treatment options that fit their life, their schedule, and the smile they are working toward.
At OP Smiles, we meet teenagers where they are, with treatment options that fit their life, their schedule, and the smile they are working toward.
The teen years are one of the best times for orthodontic treatment. Most adult teeth have come in, the jaw is still developing and the results we achieve now can set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy function and confidence.
Teen orthodontics at OP Smiles goes beyond straightening teeth. We look at how the bite functions, how the smile fits the face, and how everything will hold up long after treatment is complete.
Teens come to us for a lot of different reasons. Some are ready and asking for treatment themselves. Others are noticing crowding, a shifting bite, or teeth that never quite lined up. Some families are referred by their dentist, while others simply know it’s the right time to take the next step.
Whatever brings your family in, we’ll make sure the experience feels comfortable, clear, and worthwhile from the very beginning.
Whether you visit us in Boone or North Wilkesboro, the first appointment is relaxed and informative. No pressure, no commitment. We’ll take photos, digital scans, and any necessaryX-ray, evaluate your teen’s bite and development, and walk you through what we’re seeing and the options that make the most sense.
Your teen will leave with a clear understanding of their smile and what the path forward looks like.
We believe finances shouldn’t stand between your teenager and exceptional orthodontic care. We partner with OrthoFi to help families customize payment options, manage accounts online, and maximize insurance benefits. Coverage is verified at your initial visit and claims are handled for you so there are no surprises.
When the bite is not in harmony, teeth can wear unevenly, gums can recede, restorations can fail, and jaw joints can become strained. Small imbalances over time can lead to sensitivity, fractures, clenching discomfort, or TMJ symptoms. By creating skeletal and occlusal balance, we reduce destructive forces, protect the joints, and establish a functional foundation that supports comfort, durability, and long-term stability.
Jaw position affects far more than appearance. It influences facial aging patterns, airway volume, breathing quality, and lip posture at rest. Poor skeletal support can contribute to a flat profile, lip strain, or airway constriction. By optimizing jaw position and tooth support, we enhance facial harmony, promote healthier breathing patterns, and create soft tissue support that maintains a natural, youthful look over time.
Insufficient arch development can lead to crowding, dark corners in the smile, cheek collapse, and compromised function. Proper transverse development improves bite coordination, enhances facial support, and allows the smile to appear fuller and more confident. A well-developed arch form not only looks better, it functions more efficiently and supports long-term stability.
The relationship between the upper teeth and lower lip directly influences how youthful and natural a smile appears. Too little tooth display can make a smile look aged; too much gum display can distract from tooth harmony. By carefully controlling vertical tooth position and smile arc, we create a dynamic, balanced smile that looks vibrant in photos, in conversation, and at rest.
Crowded or improperly angled teeth are harder to clean, more prone to uneven wear, and less stable over time. Incorrect angulation or inclination can also compromise lip support and bite function. Precise alignment improves hygiene, distributes biting forces properly, enhances esthetics, and reduces the risk of relapse. This creates a result that is both beautiful and biomechanically sound.
When dental midlines are off or occlusion is unbalanced, the smile may appear shifted or uneven. By coordinating dental and facial midlines and ensuring occlusal balance, we create symmetry that looks and feels natural, harmonious, and confidently centered within the face.
Even perfectly straight teeth can look unnatural if proportions are off. Teeth that are too narrow, too wide, too short, or disproportionate to neighboring teeth can disrupt harmony. Proper proportions ensure that light reflects evenly, the smile flows naturally, and function is preserved. Balanced dimensions create a refined, cohesive smile.
Color is often the first thing people notice in a smile. Even minor shade inconsistencies can distract from otherwise excellent alignment. Once function and positioning are optimized, enhancing brightness and uniformity elevates the final result. Color reinforces a healthy, vibrant appearance and maximizes the visual impact of the completed treatment.
Gums are the frame of the smile. Uneven or excessive gum display can overshadow ideal tooth positioning. Healthy, symmetrical gum contours protect the teeth biologically while enhancing esthetics. Proper gum architecture ensures the smile appears balanced, clean, and refined — completing the overall result.
Teeth naturally shift throughout life due to growth, aging, and functional forces. Without a defined retention strategy, even beautifully finished results can relapse. Thoughtful retention planning preserves alignment, protects bite relationships, and safeguards the investment made in treatment. Long-term stability ensures that today’s result remains tomorrow’s confidence.
After the consultation, we create a plan that’s tailored specifically to your teen, not a one-size approach, but a thoughtful roadmap guided by our ten-point framework, The OP Smile™.
Whether we use Damon braces or Spark clear aligners, every phase of your treatment is crafted to efficiently move your teens teeth and finish with an exceptional smile. Your teen’s orthodontist can walk you through both options and help your family choose the path that fits their goals, lifestyle, and timeline.
You’ve likely heard of Invisalign. Spark™ clear aligners work in a similar way, but with advanced materials and exceptional clarity, making them the preferred choice of our doctors for a more discreet, refined treatment experience.clarity that our doctors prefer for their patients. These nearly invisible trays fit snugly over your teeth and can be removed for eating, drinking, and brushing. Spark aligners are a strong choice for teens who are motivated to wear them consistently and want a more discreet look throughout treatment.
The Damon® Ultima System uses an advanced, low-friction approach that goes beyond simply straightening teeth to create broader smiles, improved facial balance, and healthier overall results, often with less need for extractions.
Unlike traditional braces, Damon Ultima brackets and wires are designed to work together more efficiently, using lighter forces to move teeth more comfortably. This can mean fewer adjustments, easier hygiene, and a more comfortable treatment experience overall.
Because braces work continuously 24/7, no reminders needed, no worrying about wear time. A great option for teens and parents who want reliable results without the extra responsibility of removable trays.
Beyond braces and aligners, we offer a full range of specialty services to support airway health, facial balance, and the kind of finishing details that take a great result to the next level.
We take an airway-centered approach to care, evaluating concerns that can affect breathing, sleep quality, and overall health. Our team uses advanced diagnostics and treatment planning to create a strong foundation for both a beautiful smile and long-term wellness.
If your teen is self-conscious about excess gum display, our orthodontists offer solutions to create a more balanced, natural-looking smile using modern techniques and appliances.
Precise gum contouring brings harmony and symmetry to the smile, improving the appearance of the gum line so the final result looks polished and complete.
Small, conservative changes to tooth shape and edges can make a meaningful difference in how the smile flows and fits together, often the finishing touch that takes a great result to the next level.
Safe, effective in-office whitening designed to help your teen’s final result shine. A bright, even finish is the perfect last step at the end of their orthodontic journey.
Follow-up visits are spaced to keep treatment moving without constantly pulling your teen out of school or disrupting your family’s schedule. For patients who qualify, remote monitoring allows us to check progress between visits from anywhere. No extra trips to the office, no interruptions to their routine. Every appointment that does happen is purposeful and moves the treatment forward.
When active treatment is complete, we provide custom retainers and clear guidance on how to keep that smile exactly where we left it. Your teen will know how often to wear their retainers, how to take care of them, and when to check back in so nothing shifts over time.
The teen years go fast. Starting treatment at the right time can shape not just a healthy smile, but the confidence that comes with it for years to come. Schedule a complimentary consultation at our Boone or North Wilkesboro office and let’s take that first step together.
Most teens are ready to begin treatment between the ages of 11 and 15, once most of their adult teeth have come in. That said, timing is different for everyone. If you’re unsure whether your teen is ready, a complimentary consultation is the easiest way to find out. We’ll let you know exactly where things stand and whether now is the right time to start.
Both are excellent options, and the right choice depends on your teen’s needs, bite complexity, and how they’ll manage treatment.
Spark aligners offer a discreet, flexible option using advanced materials our doctors prefer, but they require consistent wear. Braces work continuously without relying as heavily on compliance, making them a strong option for more complex cases or when keeping up with aligners may be a concern. Rubber bands (elastics) can be used with both braces and aligners, something many patients don’t expect, so with great compliance, treatment outcomes are often very similar.
We’ll walk through both options at your consultation so your family can choose what fits best.
Treatment length varies depending on the complexity of your teen’s bite and smile, the type of treatment chosen, and how consistently they follow through with aligner wear and appointments. Most teen treatments fall somewhere between one and two years, though some are shorter. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at your consultation and keep you updated throughout.
Most teens adjust quickly. There’s typically a short breaking-in period at the start of treatment and after adjustments, but it rarely slows anyone down for long. We design appointments to minimize disruptions to school and activities, and remote monitoring means many check-ins can happen without an office visit.
The consultation is completely pressure-free. No procedures, no commitments. We take some photos and digital scans, talk through what we’re seeing, and answer every question your teen has. Our goal is to make sure they feel informed and comfortable before anything begins.
We’ll work with you on the next steps. Replacement aligners can be ordered or sometimes the next aligner in the series fits and can be worn for a little longer. We’ll help keep treatment on track with as little disruption as possible.
Our team will walk you through your options and help you understand how your insurance benefits apply. Through OrthoFi, we’re able to customize flexible payment plans that fit most family budgets. We pride ourselves on making the financial conversation simple and clear so your family can focus on the treatment, not the paperwork.
Most families come to us directly, and a referral typically isn’t required to schedule a consultation. If your insurance requires pre-authorization, we’ll help you navigate that process.
