Families from Tallmadge have been driving over to Dietrich Family Orthodontics for decades, and the reason is usually simple: they want one experienced orthodontist to own the case instead of a chain with a different provider each visit. We treat kids, teens, and adults with braces, Invisalign® clear aligners, interceptive care, and retainers.
Our Akron office on W Exchange Street is about twenty minutes from Tallmadge Circle by way of SR 261 and Market Street. That is far enough that we respect your drive, so we batch appointments, keep our schedule honest, and get you back on the road.
New patients are seen for a complimentary consultation, exam included. You will leave knowing whether treatment is needed now, later, or not at all.
Treatment Choices for Tallmadge, OH Smiles
What we recommend depends on the bite in front of us, not on a script:
- Traditional braces. Fixed appliances handle the widest range of cases, including the rotations and bite corrections aligners cannot always reach. Compare approaches on our treatment options page.
- Invisalign®. Removable aligners for patients who want the work done quietly. Success comes down to wearing them 20 to 22 hours a day, and we say so plainly before anyone signs up. See Invisalign info.
- Interceptive care for children. Expanders and limited appliances can make room and redirect growth while it is still easy. More on early treatment.
- Teen orthodontics. We schedule around Tallmadge High School practices and performances where we can. Details on the teens page.
- Adult orthodontics. Shifting after years without a retainer is the most common reason adults call us. See adult treatment.
- Digital records. The iTero scanner replaces impression trays, so gagging on putty is no longer part of the process.
- Retention and repairs. Retainer checks, replacements, and same-week emergency care for a broken bracket or a wire that has slipped.
How Long Treatment Usually Takes
Timelines are the question Tallmadge parents ask first, so here is a realistic range. Your own estimate comes from your records, not from an average.
| Situation | Typical length | Visit rhythm |
|---|---|---|
| Limited or interceptive care | 6 to 12 months | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Full braces, moderate case | 18 to 24 months | Every 4 to 8 weeks |
| Invisalign®, mild to moderate | 12 to 18 months | Every 6 to 10 weeks |
| Retention | Indefinite, nightly wear | Annual checks |
Cases run long for predictable reasons: elastics skipped, aligners left in a locker, appointments missed during a busy sports season. We will tell you when that is happening rather than quietly extending the timeline.
What Sets Our Practice Apart for Tallmadge Patients
- Continuity. Dr. Todd Dietrich, DDS, sees you at every adjustment. The same clinical team knows your history without rereading the chart.
- Credentials that are easy to verify. Memberships include the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, and the Ohio Dental Association.
- Straight answers on money. Total fee, monthly amount, and insurance estimate at the consultation. See financial information.
- Efficient appointments. Routine adjustments are short, which matters when the trip from Tallmadge takes longer than the visit.
- A practice rooted since 1966. Three generations of some Summit County families have finished treatment in these chairs.
- Real preparation for daily life in braces. Our life with braces page covers food, sports, and hygiene before you have to learn it the hard way.
Communities Around Tallmadge We Treat
Patients travel to us from the eastern and northern edges of Akron, including:
- Tallmadge Circle and the SR 91 corridor
- Goodyear Heights and Ellet
- Brimfield and Kent
- Cuyahoga Falls and Munroe Falls
- Stow and Silver Lake
- Mogadore and Suffield Township
Tallmadge City Schools students make up a good share of that group, and we are happy to write a note for a missed period or arrange the 7:30am slot so nobody loses classroom time.
Common Questions from Tallmadge, OH Families
Where would my appointments be?
At our Akron office, 1690 W Exchange St, roughly twenty minutes from Tallmadge. Our second office in Wadsworth is available if your work commute happens to run west.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. The exam, the conversation, and the written plan cost nothing, and there is no obligation to begin treatment with us afterward.
My child is nine and the dentist mentioned crowding. Is it too early?
Not at all. Age nine is a useful time to look. We may recommend nothing more than monitoring visits until the remaining adult teeth arrive, which costs you nothing but a short appointment.
Do you take our dental insurance?
We work with most orthodontic benefit plans and file claims for you. Bring your card to the consultation and we will verify the coverage and put the numbers in writing.
Can adults still get braces at 45 or 55?
Yes. Bone remodels throughout life, so age is not the barrier people expect. We treat plenty of adults, some of whom we first saw as children.
Do you fix retainers you did not make?
Usually yes. Bring it in and we will look. If a replacement is the better answer, we will quote it before doing anything.
When Something Breaks Between Visits
Most orthodontic problems are inconvenient, not urgent. A loose bracket that is still on the wire can wait for the next opening. A wire poking the cheek can be tucked down with a cotton swab and covered with wax. A lost aligner means moving back to the previous tray, not skipping ahead. What does need a prompt call: a bracket that has come off completely, a wire out of the back band, an appliance loose in the mouth, or trauma to a tooth. Call (330) 864-2101, describe it, and we will fit you in. Our emergency care page has the at-home steps in more detail.
Coordinating With Your Tallmadge Dentist
Orthodontics does not replace routine dental care. Cleanings every six months matter more during treatment, not less, because brackets give plaque more places to hide. We send records and progress notes to your general dentist, and if a cavity or an extraction needs sequencing around orthodontic movement, the two offices sort out the order between them so you are not caught in the middle.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Call Akron at (330) 864-2101, Wadsworth at (330) 334-1698, or request an appointment online and pick a time that suits your schedule. We welcome Tallmadge patients along with families from Kent, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, and the rest of eastern Summit County.
Bring your questions and your insurance card. We will handle the rest, and you will leave with a plan you can actually read.