Orthodontics Overview

At Mack Orthodontics, our mission is to help every one of our patients achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. That's why Dr. Mack and his highly trained team of orthodontic specialists work hard to craft specialized treatment plans to perfectly suit your unique needs.

We pride ourselves on using the latest orthodontic technology to ensure that our services are always as safe, fast, and effective as possible. No matter what specific treatment you select, orthodontics (the incredible practice of moving teeth to achieve a healthier smile) can lead you to a brighter, more confident future.

Fixing Bad Bites

Straighter teeth can have a huge impact on almost every aspect of your life, imparting a boost in self-confidence and happiness that radiates through all your personal and professional roles. It can even help keep your teeth cleaner, protecting them from cavities and decay!

In addition to providing an aesthetic and psychological benefit, though, orthodontic treatment helps fix functional problems with the tooth alignment—more commonly known as bad bites, or malocclusions. There are a variety of malocclusions patients can develop, and we treat every one of them here at our Bettendorf, Maquoketa, and Eldridge, IA offices. That said, if left untreated these issues can get progressively worse, causing complications like uneven tooth wear, cavities, and painful conditions like TMJ. Some of the most common problems we treat in our office include:

Crossbite
Underbite
Overbite
Protruding Front Teeth
Spacing
Crowding
Openbite

Orthodontic Appliances

To correct these problems, we utilize orthodontic treatments, which consists of applying gentle, precisely calculated and consistent force to the teeth over a long period of time. To do this, we use appliances like braces or Invisalign. We offer a variety of orthodontic treatments at our office, and while each one works in essentially the same way, they all have unique benefits. Our treatments include:

Traditional Metal Braces
Clear Braces
Lingual Braces
Invisalign

Orthodontics for Kids & Adults

While many people think of orthodontic treatment as something for teenagers, the reality is that healthy teeth can be moved at any age. In some cases, though, it is actually critical to start treatment early on. During early treatment, we can use a device called a palatal expander to slowly, painlessly widen the jaw, creating more room for overcrowded teeth or fixing a crossbite. This is much more difficult to do later on when the jaw has fully formed, which is why we ask parents to bring children in for an orthodontic evaluation at our Bettendorf, Maquoketa, or Eldridge, IA office by the age of seven.

Conversely, no one is ever "too old" for orthodontics. More and more adults are discovering the magic of orthodontic treatment, and with slim modern braces and exciting new treatment alternatives like Invisalign, a new smile is closer than ever before. With adults, however, we do need to ensure that all traces of gum disease are cleared away before beginning treatment, so your orthodontist will perform a thorough evaluation and clear up any gum issues before starting you on adult braces.

After Braces

Once you get your braces off we know you'll be excited. But you're not out of the woods yet. While your teeth have moved positions, they haven't 'set' into their new positions. Enter your retainer. Without a retainer your teeth will just move back to where they were before, erasing all your hard work! That is why, after we remove your braces, your orthodontist will fit you with a retainer and give you detailed instructions on wearing and caring for it so you are able to safeguard your smile for years to come.

Contact Your Orthodontist Now

Have more questions about orthodontic treatment like braces or Invisalign, or want to come in for an evaluation? Feel free to reach out to us at our contact page or use our easy online form to schedule an appointment at our Bettendorf, Maquoketa, or Eldridge, IA office. We can't wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy new smile!

The Magic of Orthodontics Proper alignment of the teeth is basic to “Smile Design.” Their position dictates how they work together and affects the way you look and smile. Only orthodontic treatment can move teeth into the right position. Simply put, when things look right, they probably are right. Learn the basics of smile analysis and design and whether the magic of orthodontics will work for you... Read Article

Adult Orthodontics - Dear Doctor Magazine

Orthodontics for the Older Adult Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there's no such thing as “too old” for braces. In fact, nowadays about one out of every five orthodontic patients is an adult. Yet this figure represents only a small portion of adults who could actually benefit from orthodontic treatment... Read Article

Clear Aligners for Teens - Dear Doctor Magazine