Serving Children, Teens & Adults
Everyone in Mechanicsburg should have the opportunity to get quality orthodontic care and a beautiful smile.
We proudly offer a full range of orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults at Alba Orthodontics.
The Best in Central PA
“Highly recommend this family-owned-and-operated orthodontics office. They are the best in Central PA!”
- Kim S.
Choose Your Treatment
At Alba Orthodontics, you've got a variety of orthodontic appliances to choose from, both fixed and removable.
These options include:
- Damon metal braces
- Damon Clear ceramic braces
- Clear aligners
- Clear aligners for Teens
Why Should You Think About Orthodontic Treatment?
Straight Teeth Are Healthy Teeth
When your teeth are correctly aligned, it’s easier to keep them clean by flossing and brushing, which in turn helps to prevent other oral issues, including some that can affect your overall health.
A Straight Smile Builds Confidence & Self-Esteem
Successfully completed orthodontic treatment can help boost your self-confidence, give you a better quality of life, and allow you to smile freely for maybe the first time ever.
Untreated Oral Issues Will Get Worse
Delaying or refusing orthodontic treatment when it's needed can create long-term health issues that will wind up costing you more in the end.
Alba Orthodontics recognizes that children, teens, and adults will all have different dental needs, requiring a different level of attention and care.
We work diligently with each patient to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment in the most inviting environment.
Orthodontics for Children
Kids Should Get an Orthodontic Check-Up By 7
The American Association of Orthodontists and the Drs. Alba recommend that children first visit an orthodontist around age seven.
By seven years old, your child's teeth have developed enough for subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth to still be spotted while some baby teeth are still present.
At this time, Drs. Alba can identify any growth issues and make plans to address them or monitor them over the next months or years.
Your child’s first check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine, and braces for kids aren't necessary. In other cases, Dr. Alba might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
Catching problems early means that treatment can be started at a time that provides the best result in the least amount of time.
This can positively affect the cost of treatment as well; early treatment can avoid tooth extractions and growth issues that might require a more complex solution later.
If Dr. Alba finds that it's in your child's best interest to wait for treatment, they will be placed in our Kid's Club program, where we provide no cost monitoring visits until they're ready.
You can feel confident that Dr. Alba will do what's best for your child, and the treatment prescribed will always honor the trust that you've placed in him and the team at Alba Orthodontics.
Get a Head Start on a Beautiful Smile
As a parent in Mechanicsburg, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.
Dr. Fred Alba and Dr. Jeff Alba will treat your children like our own by giving them the best possible orthodontic care.
What Is Early Treatment?
Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
In some cases, Drs. Alba can achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
Choosing the Best Time for Treatment
While the age at which kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between ages 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early.
If Drs. Alba think your child will need treatment, they’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips and face
Signs the Bite's Not Right
It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite.
Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Thumb-sucking
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Protruding teeth
- Upper and lower teeth that don't meet, or meet in an abnormal way
- An unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Kids Club
Smile Rewards Card
When patients join our kid’s club, they get a Smile Rewards Card! They can rack up points to redeem really cool prizes!
Here are some things you can do to earn points:
- Be on time for your scheduled appointment
- Brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day
- Visit your dentist twice a year for a check-up and cleaning, and bring us a certificate signed by your dentist or hygienist (go to our Smile Rewards page to learn more, and download the certificate!)
- Refer your friends and family to Dr. Alba for an examination
- Like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!
- Schedule Your Next Visit with Dr. Alba
Both Drs. Alba are firm believers that every patient should receive the quality treatment they deserve. When you come to our practice, you’re part of the Alba family.
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a free consultation at our Mechanicsburg office.
We can talk about your child's orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your child's needs.
All About Teen Orthodontics
Experienced orthodontists like Dr. Jeff Alba and Dr. Fred Alba can easily recognize issues with spacing, crowding, bite, and alignment in this age range, and your teen’s bone and jaw structure are formed enough to allow orthodontic treatment to begin.
Some teens may have even started Phase I treatment at an earlier age and are now following it up with full braces or other orthodontic treatment.
Beyond outward appearances, untreated dental problems can have a lasting impact on your teen’s oral and overall health.
If you notice any of the following issues, we recommend a free consultation with Dr. Alba at Alba Orthodontics, since they could be signs your teen may benefit from orthodontic treatment.
- Early, late, or irregular loss of their baby teeth
- Difficulty with chewing or biting
- Crowding or extra spacing between teeth
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Frequent biting of the cheek or the inside of the mouth
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
- Protrusion of teeth
Benefits of Teenage Orthodontics
Straight teeth that respond well to orthodontic treatment have many benefits, including:
- Being less prone to wear and tear, chipping, and tooth trauma
- Being easier to keep clean, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities
- Reducing the chances of developing gum disease, which can result in bone loss, decay, and tooth loss
- Improving proper chewing and digestion of food
Bad Bites
Diagnosing and successfully treating certain bite problems can have short-term and long-term benefits.
Problems classified as “bad bites” can often be minimized with the proper orthodontic treatment, including:
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Missing or extra teeth
- An overbite or underbite
- Incorrect jaw position
- A disorder of the jaw joint
FAQs About Teen Orthodontics
About Adult Orthodontics in Mechanicsburg
No one around Mechanicsburg is too old to benefit from adult orthodontic treatment. At Alba Orthodontics, adults make up about one in every four orthodontic patients.
Reasons for Adult Braces
Looking Good
Orthodontic treatment can help correct crooked teeth or spaces that you’ve been self-conscious about for years. It can give you the confidence and pride that come with straight teeth and a great smile.
Your Teeth Can Shift
Believe it or not, your teeth don’t stop moving in adolescence. Teeth that seemed straight and aligned in youth could have shifted later in life. This can lead to jaw pain, trouble brushing, or a smile you’re unhappy with.
Maintaining Dental Health
If you leave misaligned teeth untreated, you may end up with other dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. You may also notice difficulty chewing or abnormal wear on the surface of your teeth.
FAQs About Adult Orthodontics
Get Started
Start your journey towards a healthy new smile today and schedule your free consultation with Dr. Alba.
Let's talk about your orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your needs and smile goals.