The Des Moines Orthodontic Society, comprised of all of the orthodontists in the Des Moines area, present this site as a starting point for your search. For more information, please visit www.braces.org, maintained by the American Association of Orthodontists.

Use the following link to find an orthodontist in your area. Search by name or by location. Results include mapped office locations and contact information

http://braces.org/FindAnOrthodontist/index.cfm

Just as there are specialists in medicine (such as cardiologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, etc.), there are specialists in dentistry. Orthodontists are dental specialists who dedicate their professional lives to correcting misaligned teeth and jaws.

Orthodontists are qualified dentists, who after graduating from dental school, go on to additional full-time university-based education in an accredited orthodontic residency program supervised by orthodontists. That training lasts at least two academic years—sometimes more. By learning about tooth movement (orthodontics) and guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics), orthodontists are the uniquely trained experts in dentistry to straighten teeth and align jaws.

Orthodontists diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities. The majority of members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) limit their practices to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Orthodontists treat a wide variety of malocclusions (improperly aligned teeth and/or jaws). They regularly treat young children, teens and adults.

Selecting an orthodontist who is a member of the AAO is your assurance that you have chosen an orthodontist: the dental specialist with at least two years of post-doctoral, advanced specialty training in orthodontics in a university-based program accredited by the American Dental Association. Specialty education includes the study of subjects in biomedical, behavioral and basic sciences; oral biology; and biomechanics. Only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

Straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak.  Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums.  Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems.  Teeth that work better also tend to look better.

An attractive smile is a pleasant “side effect” of orthodontic treatment. An attractive smile is a wonderful asset.  It contributes to self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image—important qualities at every age.  A pleasing appearance is a vital component of self-confidence. A person's self-esteem often improves as orthodontic treatment brings teeth, lips and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve a person’s general attitude toward life.

You may be surprised to learn that straight teeth are less prone to decay and injury.  Decay results when the bacteria in plaque (a colorless, sticky film composed of bacteria, food and saliva) feed on carbohydrates (sugar and starch) we eat or drink to produce acids that can cause cavities.  Plaque can also increase the risk for periodontal (gum) disease.  As for injuries to teeth, protruding upper teeth are more likely to be broken in an accident.  When repositioned and aligned with other teeth, these teeth are most probably going to be at a decreased risk for fracture.

Untreated orthodontic problems may become worse.  They may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, destruction of the bone that holds teeth in place, and chewing and digestive difficulties. Orthodontic problems can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints, sometimes leading to chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck. Treatment by an orthodontist to correct a problem early may be less costly than the restorative dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children get a check-up with an orthodontist no later than age seven. Although only a few orthodontic problems need to be corrected at that age, an early exam allows the orthodontist to offer advice and guidance as to when the appropriate age to start treatment would be. Let your orthodontist guide you as to when to start treatment. Feel free to ask questions about the timing of treatment.

The length of treatment varies depending on the complexity of the orthodontic problem that requires correction, growth and tissue response to treatment as well as the level of patient cooperation during their treatment.  Orthodontic care requires a team approach in which the family dentist, the orthodontist and the patient play key roles that can impact the length of treatment and the quality of the end result. Generally, the length of comprehensive orthodontic treatment can range from approximately 18 months to 30 months, depending on treatment options and individual characteristics.

Fees for orthodontic care vary with the complexity of the treatment.  Ask your orthodontist about anticipated treatment fees, payment options and insurance benefits.

This is a time for orthodontists to listen to patient concerns and to provide an orthodontic examination. The orthodontist will likely be able to indicate whether or not treatment is needed and if needed, when the best time to start treatment would be. Typical steps prior to beginning treatment include gathering orthodontic records to provide specific information to tailor a treatment plan for that patient (see orthodontic records below). Often, this is a time when the doctor and staff discuss fees for orthodontic care, general payment options, and insurance benefits.

Diagnostic records include x-rays, photographs, and impressions made of the teeth. These “molds” are used to develop models for closer examination of the teeth and how the upper and lower teeth relate to each other.  X-rays are taken to look at the root structure of the teeth and how the jaw bones and teeth relate to each other.  At times additional imaging of the temporomandibular joints is helpful.  Typically facial photographs and intra-oral photographs are taken to evaluate facial proportions, facial aesthetics and the health of the teeth and gums.  These diagnostic records collectively enable the orthodontist to develop an appropriate treatment plan for the patient.

Today, orthodontic treatment is a viable option for almost any adult.  It is well recognized that when left untreated, many orthodontic problems may become worse.  When you have a malocclusion (“bad bite”), your teeth may be crowded, excessively spaced or may not fit together correctly.  Such conditions may lead to dental health problems.  Crowded teeth are hard to clean and, given time, may contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss.  Bad bites can also result in abnormal wearing of tooth surfaces, difficulty chewing and damage to supporting bone and gum tissue.  Poorly aligned teeth can contribute to pain in the jaw joints.

You’ll be pleased to learn that orthodontic treatment will fit in with your current lifestyle – you can sing, play a musical instrument, dine out, kiss, and even have your picture taken. One in five orthodontic patients is an adult. The AAO estimates that more than 1,000,000 adults in the United States and Canada are receiving treatment from orthodontists who are members of the AAO.

The rate of toothlessness has declined over recent decades.  Our great-grandparents, for the most part, lost their teeth around age 40.  Today’s 25-year-old has the potential of another 75 years of keeping and using their teeth.  This is a major change in dental health care (and life expectancy).  Teeth that do not fit well often wear down more quickly—another reason to make sure that your teeth are in good alignment and well maintained in your adult years.