Braces & Orthodontics in Lisle, IL
There's more to properly aligned teeth than looks. They're simpler to clean, less prone to decay and gum disease, and they take stress off your jaw and supporting bone. At Brammeier Family Dental, Drs. Brammeier and Ericson offer orthodontic evaluation and treatment to fix bite issues and alignment problems at any age. Whether traditional braces or clear aligners suit you best, we'll build a plan that fits your needs and lifestyle.
What it is
Treatment that uses braces, aligners, or other appliances to correct the alignment of teeth and bite (occlusion), improving both function and appearance.
Who it's for
Children, teens, and adults whose crowded teeth, spacing issues, overbite, underbite, crossbite, or other alignment problems affect oral health and smile aesthetics.
How we help
A thorough orthodontic evaluation, personalized treatment planning, and several options (traditional braces and clear aligners among them) for the best result at every age.
Straight teeth are healthier teeth. Book an orthodontic evaluation for yourself or your child.
Why Orthodontic Treatment Matters
- Easier cleaning: Brushing and flossing properly is much simpler with straight teeth, lowering your risk of cavities and gum disease
- Better bite: An aligned bite spreads chewing forces evenly, cutting down on wear and stress on your teeth
- Gum health: Misaligned teeth invite gum disease, since plaque collects in hard-to-reach areas
- Reduced risk of injury: Teeth that protrude are more likely to chip or suffer trauma
- Improved speech: Some bite problems interfere with pronunciation and clarity
- Confidence: A straight, well-aligned smile leaves a positive impression in every interaction
Common Orthodontic Problems
- Crowding: Too little room in the jaw for every tooth to fit normally
- Spacing: Gaps that arise from missing teeth or jaw size discrepancies
- Overbite: Upper front teeth reaching too far over the lower front teeth
- Underbite: Lower teeth pushing out past the upper front teeth
- Crossbite: Upper teeth closing inside the lower teeth when you bite
- Open bite: Front teeth that don't meet while the back teeth are closed
What Causes Orthodontic Problems?
- Genetics: Crowding, spacing, jaw size, and tooth position are frequently inherited
- Childhood habits: Long-term thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or tongue thrusting can shape tooth and jaw development
- Early tooth loss: When baby teeth go too soon, neighboring teeth can drift and block the permanent ones
- Late tooth loss: Baby teeth that linger past their time can push permanent teeth into abnormal positions
- Periodontal disease: Advanced gum disease can let teeth drift and shift
- Trauma: Accidents or injuries can knock teeth out of position and disrupt alignment
Treatment Options
Traditional Braces
- Metal or ceramic brackets bonded to the teeth, linked by an archwire that applies gentle, continuous pressure
- The most versatile option, capable of treating virtually any alignment or bite problem
- Ceramic (tooth-colored) brackets offer a less noticeable appearance
- Today's braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than ever
- Depending on complexity, treatment usually runs 18 months to 3 years
- Well suited to complex cases that clear aligners may not fully resolve
Clear Aligners (Invisible Braces)
- Custom-made, removable clear trays that straighten teeth over time
- Nearly invisible, so most people won't realize you're wearing them
- Take them out for eating, brushing, and flossing, with no food restrictions
- Often a quicker treatment time (12–18 months for most cases)
- Ideal for mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and bite issues
- Read more on our invisible braces page
Traditional braces or clear aligners? We'll help you settle on the option that suits your smile and lifestyle.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Visit Steps
- Evaluation: Drs. Brammeier and Ericson review your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment using digital X-rays and imaging
- Diagnosis: We clearly explain your orthodontic issues and how they affect your oral health
- Treatment options: We lay out the available approaches (braces, clear aligners, or a combination) with pros, cons, costs, and timeline
- Custom plan: We design a treatment plan tailored specifically to your case
- Ongoing care: Regular adjustment visits keep an eye on progress and hold treatment on track
Helpful Tips
- The American Association of Orthodontists advises a child's first orthodontic evaluation by age 7
- Orthodontic treatment benefits adults at any age, and it's never too late to start
- During orthodontic treatment, strong oral hygiene matters even more for preventing cavities and gum problems
- If you have braces, steer clear of hard and sticky foods that can damage brackets and wires
- Wearing retainers after treatment is essential to hold your results long-term
- If your child loses a baby tooth early, ask about space maintainers
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you are never too old for orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics has no age limit, and more adults than ever are straightening their teeth, whether for better oral health, a more confident smile, or both. The teeth respond to gentle, steady pressure the same way at fifty as they do at fifteen.
The one thing that matters more than age is the health of your teeth and gums. As long as they are healthy and free of active gum disease, orthodontic treatment can work well at any age. If there are underlying issues to address first, we will take care of those, then move ahead. Many of our adult patients tell us their only regret is not starting sooner.
How long orthodontic treatment takes depends mainly on the complexity of your case and the method you choose. As a general guide:
- Straightforward cases with clear aligners can take as little as 6 to 12 months
- More involved cases in traditional braces may run 18 months to 3 years
- Most cases land somewhere in between those ranges
Consistency shortens the timeline too, since wearing aligners as directed or keeping your adjustment appointments keeps things on track. At your consultation, Drs. Brammeier and Ericson will assess your teeth and give you a realistic timeline for your specific case, so there are no surprises about how long you will be in treatment.
Braces cause some mild soreness, but nothing most patients would call painful. You can expect a few days of tenderness right after your braces are first placed and again after each adjustment visit, when the wires are tightened to keep your teeth moving. This is normal and simply means the treatment is working.
The soreness is usually easy to manage with an over-the-counter pain reliever and soft foods for a day or two, and it fades on its own as your teeth adjust. Today's braces are far smaller, smoother, and more comfortable than the bulky systems of years past, so irritation to the cheeks and lips is much less of an issue than it once was. If a bracket or wire ever bothers you, orthodontic wax smooths it over easily.
Choosing between traditional braces and clear aligners comes down to two things: the complexity of your case and your personal lifestyle preferences. Clear aligners are an excellent fit for mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and bite issues, and they carry the appeal of being nearly invisible and removable for eating and cleaning. Traditional braces, on the other hand, can handle the full range of alignment and bite problems, including the more complex cases that aligners cannot fully resolve.
There is no single right answer, only the right answer for you. Drs. Brammeier and Ericson will evaluate your teeth, explain honestly which options would actually work for your case, and help you weigh the trade-offs so you feel confident in the decision. You can also learn more about invisible braces to see whether the clear-aligner route fits what you are looking for.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child have a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. By that age, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth has happened for us to spot developing problems early, even if the child is not ready to begin treatment yet.
Seeing an orthodontist early does not usually mean starting braces right away. Often it simply means monitoring growth and stepping in at the ideal moment. When early treatment (Phase 1) is warranted, it can guide jaw growth, create room for incoming teeth, and head off more complex orthodontic treatment down the road. Catching these issues while a child is still growing frequently makes any later treatment shorter and simpler.
Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic coverage, though the details vary quite a bit from plan to plan. Coverage is especially common for children and teens, while orthodontic benefits for adults depend more on the specific policy. Most plans that do cover orthodontics apply a lifetime maximum toward treatment rather than an annual limit.
You do not have to sort any of this out on your own. Our team will verify your benefits, explain exactly what your plan covers, and give you a clear cost estimate before treatment starts. For any portion insurance does not cover, see our financing page for flexible payment options that make orthodontic treatment manageable for families in Lisle and the surrounding area.
Yes. Wearing a retainer after orthodontic treatment is essential, not optional. When your braces or aligners come off, your teeth are in their new positions but the surrounding bone and tissue need time to stabilize around them. Without a retainer, teeth naturally begin drifting back toward where they started, which can undo the results you worked months to achieve.
The routine is simple and easy to keep up. Most patients wear their retainer full-time for the first few months after treatment, then switch to wearing it at night only for the long term. Think of it as the small, ongoing habit that protects your investment and keeps your smile straight for life. We will fit your retainers and explain exactly how and when to wear them before your treatment wraps up.
A healthier, straighter smile is within reach. Book your orthodontic evaluation today.