The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)

Customized Treatment to Match Your Needs

The American Association of Orthodontists helps to connect patients with the right orthodontist. AAO orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.

Learn More

Orthodontic Treatment Options

Braces

Composed of brackets that are affixed to teeth and wires that are threaded through slots in the brackets.

Aligners

Clear, thin, plastic-like trays that are formed to fit an individual’s teeth. Patients are responsible for insertion and removal.

Retainers

Removable, clear, thin, slightly flexible, and made of a plastic-like material. They fit the exact shape and placement of the teeth.

Archwires

Archwires fit into the slots in braces and actually move the teeth.

Elastics

Elastics are tiny rubber bands that apply extra force to a tooth or teeth in ways that braces alone cannot. This helps teeth move into their ideal positions.

Mouthguard

A mouth guard is used by athletes of all ages to protect teeth from trauma during competitive and individual sporting activities.

Orthodontic Surgery

Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, is corrective jaw surgery performed to remedy skeletal problems that affect the ability to bite, chew and speak.

AAOF Donated Treatments

Donated Orthodontic Services (DOS) is a program of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF) that provides the connection to orthodontic treatment from the best orthodontists in the U.S. for children of families with financial need.

Considering At-Home Treatments?

Orthodontic treatment is not a quick fix. Working with the right orthodontist to determine a treatment plan can yield life-enhancing results.

Read This First

Why Orthodontics?

Oral health is a window into your overall health. Orthodontic treatment from the best orthodontists in the U.S. helps ensure proper function of teeth and create healthy smiles. A good bite makes it easier for you to bite, chew and speak. Teeth that are misaligned are harder to clean and can cause abnormal wearing of tooth enamel which can lead to extensive and expensive dental procedures.

Learn More

Common Problems

There are a handful of common tooth, mouth and jaw problems that require orthodontic care. Some of the most common problems include jaw pain, crooked teeth, underbite, overbite, mouth breathing or speech difficulty. We recommend seeking care the moment you or your child starts to experience these or other dental problems.

Learn More

How to Choose The Right Orthodontist

There are a lot of treatment options available, from clear aligners to modern braces. They each have their uses, but only an orthodontist has the specialized knowledge to identify and plan for all the variables involved. Just as each smile is unique, so is the treatment option. It’s important to choose the right orthodontist who has the knowledge and full range of tools to create a customized treatment plan to address your orthodontic needs.

Learn More

The Passionate Pursuit of Healthy Smiles

Why AAO

65%

of adults do not have well-aligned front teeth

people in the U.S need or already have braces

3700

orthodontists have 3,700 hours of additional training in the science of moving teeth

Why AAO

Blog

Plan Now, Save Throughout the Year

This may seem like an odd time of year to discuss HSA/FSA funds, but at the AAO, we think this could be the MOST appropriate time to talk about it. And more importantly, you do not have to wait.

1 Mar 2022 1 min read