Braces in Akron, OH

What Are Braces?

Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances made of brackets bonded to each tooth, an archwire that connects them, and small elastic ties or bands. Together, they apply gentle, steady pressure that guides teeth into better alignment over months of treatment. Braces in Akron, OH straighten smiles for children, teens, and adults at Dietrich Family Orthodontics.

Because the brackets and wire stay put between visits, your orthodontist controls tooth movement in three dimensions with a high degree of precision. That control is why braces remain a first choice for correcting:

• Crowding and overlapping teeth
• Gaps and spacing issues
• Overbite and underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Rotated or tipped teeth

You also have choices in how your braces look. Our Akron, OH office offers traditional metal braces, which are strong, efficient, and popular with kids and teens, along with tooth-colored ceramic braces that blend in with your natural enamel for a lower-profile look. We call it braces your way!

Planning starts with digital records instead of goopy trays. Using iTero® digital scanning, we capture a detailed 3D model of your teeth and bite in minutes, which makes the whole process more comfortable and gives us accurate information to build your plan.

Benefits of Braces in Akron, OH for Every Age

Braces in Akron, OH straighten crowded, gapped, or rotated teeth while correcting bite problems that wear down enamel and strain the jaw joints. Because they work around the clock, braces deliver predictable results for complex cases, improve chewing and speech, make daily cleaning easier, and leave you with a straighter smile that holds for life.

Braces do more than straighten teeth. A corrected bite protects your enamel, your gums, and your jaw joints for decades to come. Families across Akron and the surrounding communities gain a lot from treatment:

1. Predictable results for complex cases. Severe crowding, badly rotated teeth, and significant bite corrections respond well to the constant, controlled force braces deliver.
2. No compliance worries. Because braces stay on your teeth 24/7, busy teens and younger kids can’t forget to wear them. Progress keeps happening between appointments.
3. Easier cleaning after treatment. Straight teeth have fewer tight overlaps where plaque hides, which lowers the risk of cavities and gum disease over a lifetime.
4. Better function. When your bite lines up, chewing feels more comfortable, speech sounds clearer, and uneven wear on your enamel slows down.
5. An esthetic option. Ceramic brackets give adults and image-conscious teens a subtler look while keeping the strength of a fixed appliance.
6. Confidence that lasts. We finish every case with a retention plan so your results hold.

Straight teeth feel good, and they work better too. That combination keeps families coming back to our family practice year after year, because we go beyond the smile.

How Does the Braces Process Work? What to Expect Step by Step

Getting braces in Akron, OH takes five steps: a complimentary consultation with digital X-rays and an iTero® scan, a treatment plan review with timeline and payment options, a bonding appointment lasting 60 to 90 minutes, adjustment visits every 6 to 10 weeks, and a final debonding appointment where we remove the brackets and deliver your retainers.

Step 1: Your complimentary consultation

Your first visit is about getting to know you. Digital X-rays and iTero® digital scanning give us a full picture of your teeth, roots, and jaw relationship without messy impression material. You’ll get real answers to your questions.

Step 2: Treatment plan review

Together, we’ll go over what needs to move, how long it should take, and what the investment looks like. You’ll see your options side by side, including metal and ceramic braces, and our team reviews insurance benefits and payment plans before you commit to anything.

Step 3: Bonding day

Placing braces takes about 60 to 90 minutes and involves no shots and no drilling. We clean and condition each tooth, bond the brackets in position, thread the archwire, and add your color ties. Kids love picking colors. Adults usually go with silver or clear.

Step 4: Adjustment visits

You’ll see us every 6 to 10 weeks so we can change wires, add elastics, and check progress. These appointments are short. Most families schedule them around school and work without much disruption.

Step 5: Debonding and retainers

When your teeth reach their finish position, we remove the brackets, polish the enamel, and deliver custom retainers the same day. Wearing them as directed is what keeps your results stable.

Most cases run 12 to 30 months, depending on how much movement is needed, growth patterns, and how consistently elastics are worn. Simple spacing corrections finish faster. Complex bite corrections take longer, and we’ll give you a realistic range at your first visit.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Braces in Akron, OH?

Almost anyone with healthy teeth and gums can wear braces, from second-graders to grandparents. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have a first orthodontic evaluation by age seven, when enough permanent teeth have come in to spot developing bite problems early.

Children (ages 7 to 10)

An early evaluation doesn’t always mean early treatment. Often we simply monitor growth. When a crossbite, severe crowding, or a jaw discrepancy shows up, a short first phase can create room and prevent bigger problems later.

Teens (ages 11 to 16)

This is the classic window. Permanent teeth are in, jaws are still growing, and that growth helps us correct bites efficiently.

Adults

Age isn’t a barrier. Teeth move at any age as long as the supporting bone and gums are healthy. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21.

Braces work especially well for severe crowding, badly rotated teeth, large gaps, and significant overbite or underbite correction. One note before we begin: active decay or gum disease needs to be treated by your general dentist first, since braces make those conditions harder to manage.

Braces vs. Invisalign® clear aligners

Not sure which one fits your life? Bring it up at your complimentary consultation.

Why Choose Dietrich Family Orthodontics in Akron

We have been creating beautiful smiles in Akron and the surrounding communities since 1966. Our care is orthodontist-led and family-centered, and you’ll notice the difference at your first appointment. Here’s what you’ll find at our Akron, OH office:

• Experienced, credentialed care. Dr. Todd Dietrich, DDS has been practicing orthodontics since 1992 and maintains active membership in the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Ohio Dental Association (ODA).
• A full menu of options. Metal braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign® clear aligners from a certified Invisalign® provider, early treatment for children, teen and adult care, and retainers, all under one roof.
• Comfortable digital records. iTero® digital scanning replaces impression trays for accurate, fast records.
• Emergency help when you need it. Loose bracket the night before a big game? Poking wire on a Sunday? Call us and we’ll get you comfortable.
• Flexible payment plans. Our team coordinates insurance benefits and builds a payment schedule that fits your household budget.
• A complimentary consultation with zero obligation. You’ll leave knowing your options and your numbers.

Two offices, in Akron and Wadsworth, keep appointments convenient for families across the region. And because we treat our patients like family, you are more than just a patient – you become part of our family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Braces in Akron, OH

How long do braces take?

Most braces treatment takes 12 to 30 months. Minor crowding or spacing can finish on the shorter end, while significant bite correction, impacted teeth, or cases involving jaw growth take longer. We’ll give you a specific range after reviewing your X-rays and iTero® scan, and consistent elastic wear keeps you on schedule.

Do braces hurt?

Braces don’t hurt going on. Bonding involves no needles and no drilling. You can expect mild soreness for roughly three to five days after placement and for a day or two after adjustments, as your teeth begin to shift. Soft foods, cold drinks, and over-the-counter pain relievers handle it well.

How much do braces cost in Akron, OH?

Cost depends on case complexity, treatment length, and the type of braces you choose, so we quote an exact figure at your complimentary consultation rather than guessing over the phone. Our team verifies your orthodontic insurance benefits and offers monthly payment plans with no surprises later.

What foods should I avoid with braces?

Skip anything hard, sticky, or chewy, since those foods break brackets and bend wires. That means no ice, hard candy, caramel, taffy, popcorn, nuts, or beef jerky. Cut apples, carrots, and corn off the cob into bite-size pieces. Everything else on your plate is fair game.

Are braces or Invisalign® better?

Neither is universally better. Braces give us the most control over complex rotations, large gaps, and major bite corrections, and they work around the clock without relying on wear time. Invisalign® clear aligners suit mild to moderate cases and patients who will commit to 20 to 22 hours of daily wear.

Do I need a retainer after braces?

Yes. Teeth naturally drift throughout life, and retainers are what hold your finished result in place. We deliver custom retainers the day your braces come off and review a wear schedule that usually tapers from full-time to nights only. Keep wearing them and your smile stays put.

Schedule Your Complimentary Braces Consultation in Akron

Getting started takes one phone call. Reach Dietrich Family Orthodontics at (330) 864-2101 or request an appointment online at dietrichfamilyorthodontics.com, and we’ll find a time that works around school, practice, and work schedules.

Our Akron office is located at 1690 W Exchange St, Akron, OH 44313, and our Wadsworth office serves families on the south and west side of the region. Current hours for both locations are posted on our website, and our team is glad to confirm them when you call to schedule.

Bring your insurance card and any recent X-rays or dental records from your general dentist. Your first visit includes an exam, digital images, and a full discussion of your options with no pressure and no cost.

Let’s talk about how our family can help your family get the smile you deserve.