Your First Orthodontist Consultation in Ann Arbor, MI

If you are thinking about straightening your teeth or improving your bite, you might be wondering what actually happens at the first visit. Your first visit to McNamara Orthodontics in Ann Arbor, MI is relaxed, friendly, and focused on you. The team treats children, teens, and adults, and they create custom plans using modern tools to help build healthy, confident smiles.  

Many people wait until a problem feels “big” before seeing an orthodontic specialist. You do not have to wait. An early check can make treatment easier and faster, especially for kids whose jaws and teeth are still growing. McNamara Orthodontics offers early treatment for children, teen treatment, and adult orthodontics, so every age can get care in one place.  

The best part is that the first smile exam is complimentary. You can find out what you need, what it might cost, and how long treatment may take before you start anything.  

Why see an orthodontic specialist early

Straight teeth are not only about looks. Crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and other bite problems can affect chewing, jaw comfort, polishing and brushing, and even long term tooth wear. Orthodontic care can guide tooth and jaw position over time so your smile is healthier as you grow.  

Early treatment is available for younger children. This can include creating more room for incoming adult teeth, correcting bite patterns, and improving jaw balance while a child is still developing. Invisalign First aligners and other growth friendly appliances are designed just for small mouths and can help set up a healthier smile for the teen years.  

For teens, treatment often focuses on crowding, spacing, or bite alignment at the age when most or all adult teeth are in. For adults, care can improve confidence, smile balance, and long term oral health at any age. The practice offers options for every stage.  

What happens during an orthodontist consultation

A first orthodontist consultation is simple and comfortable. You will meet the team, talk about your goals, and have your bite and teeth checked. You will get a clear plan, not pressure. The goal is to explain what is happening in your mouth and what can be done to fix it.  

Instead of the old style of messy impressions, the office uses advanced digital scanning technology. They use tools like iTero digital impressions to create a 3D model of your teeth. This helps the orthodontist study how your teeth fit together and design a plan that is more accurate and more comfortable.  

You will also get time to ask questions such as:

• How long would treatment take for me
  
  
• Which treatment options are right for my smile
  
  
• How often would I need to come in
  
  
• How much will it cost and what payment options are available
  
  

This visit is also where you find out if you are a good candidate for clear aligners, braces, or another appliance.  

Treatment options we may discuss

During your consultation, the team may recommend one or more of the following services, depending on your age and bite. All of these are offered.  

1. Traditional braces and clear braces
   Braces use brackets and wires to gently move teeth into better alignment. The practice offers traditional braces as well as clear braces for a lower profile look. Braces can treat a wide range of bite and spacing problems. 
   
   
2. Invisalign clear aligners
   Invisalign treatment uses sets of clear, removable trays to guide your teeth step by step. Patients like that the trays are almost invisible, can be taken out to eat and brush, and usually require fewer office visits with quick, painless check ups. Many teen and adult patients choose Invisalign because it fits into school, work, and social events easily. 
   
   There are also special versions, including Invisalign Teen and Invisalign First for younger children, which are designed to match different stages of growth. 
   
   
3. Early and teen treatment
   Early treatment can guide jaw growth, create space, and improve bite before problems get more serious. Teen treatment focuses on getting teeth straight and bites healthy during middle school and high school. 
   
   
4. Adult treatment
   Adult orthodontics can improve confidence and function at any age. Many adults choose clear braces or Invisalign because they want a more discreet look. 
   
   
5. Orthodontic appliances and retainers
   The office also uses advanced tools such as the Carriere Motion Appliance and custom retainers. These help guide the bite, speed certain corrections, and hold your new smile in place after active treatment. You will also learn how to care for braces and what to do in an emergency. 
   
   

Your next step

A healthier bite and a more confident smile can start with one visit. McNamara Orthodontics in Ann Arbor, MI offers a complimentary first exam, digital scans instead of messy impressions, and treatment choices for kids, teens, and adults, including braces, clear braces, Invisalign, specialty appliances, and retainers.  

You can call us to schedule your free smile consultation and ask about payment plans. This first step gives you real answers about your teeth, your bite, your timeline, and your budget so you can move forward with confidence.