Orthodontic FAQs

An orthodontist is a dentist who went through extra schooling to become a specialist in preventing, diagnosing and correcting malocclusions, or improper bites.

At Sturgill Orthodontics, our orthodontists are experts at straightening the teeth and aligning the jaws using orthodontic appliances like braces and Invisalign and guiding jaw and facial growth with dentofacial orthopedics.

While perfecting your smile is our main job, Sturgill Orthodontics can also help with other related issues like temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and sleep apnea.

Orthodontists go to school for quite some time. After getting their bachelor’s degree, they actually have six or seven more years to go! Once college is complete, they obtain their doctorate from dental school and then undergo two to three additional years of specialty training.

This training consists of clinically-based learning where they treat actual patients during an orthodontic residency program. Once they’re done, they have to pass examinations to become a certified specialist in orthodontics.

Dr. Sturgill even went the extra mile by becoming a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, meaning he’s a board-certified orthodontist. Only 40 percent of practicing orthodontists are board-certified.

It requires voluntarily going through hundreds of extra hours of preparation to demonstrate the judgment, skill and knowledge necessary to provide the highest level of patient care.

A board-certified orthodontist is a certified specialist in orthodontics who voluntarily goes through hundreds of extra hours of preparation to demonstrate their judgment, skills and knowledge when it comes to providing the highest level of patient care.

They not only must pass the American Board of Orthodontics’ written exam but they must also submit a case for the clinical portion of the exam, undergo peer review and renew their certification every 10 years to show a continued commitment to excellence.

Dr. Sturgill showed his commitment to your smile by achieving board certification.

Orthodontics is an art and a science and to get it right, it’s essential to uncover the root cause of a patient’s malocclusion.

Orthodontists like Dr. Sturgill, Dr. Williams, and Dr. Harper have the training to know whether the bite problems are dental or skeletal, which treatment will be best suited to each particular case and how to achieve exceptional, lasting results.

Since orthodontic treatment permanently changes the teeth, and sometimes the entire facial structure, it’s in your best interest to stick with a specialist like the doctors at Sturgill Orthodontics.

Dr. Sturgill, Dr. Williams, and Dr. Harper have extensive experience using treatments like braces and clear aligners to successfully straighten smiles. They can help you achieve stunning results, even if your case is too complex for at-home aligners or less experienced providers.

It’s crucial to find an orthodontist in Johnson City or Norton who can help you achieve your smile dreams. Orthodontists like Dr. Sturgill, Dr. Williams, and Dr. Harper are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities.

A certified specialist in orthodontics has the training and education to prevent, diagnose and treat a misaligned bite and straighten the teeth with braces, Invisalign, dentofacial orthopedics, surgical orthodontics and other techniques.

Because the teeth, and sometimes the entire facial structure, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment, it’s essential that you receive the correct treatment and that it’s completed properly.

Visiting a general dentist for orthodontic treatment is a little like seeing your family doctor for a surgical procedure. A qualified orthodontist like the doctors at Sturgill Orthodontics can offer your family professional, personalized care for the best results.

“Malocclusion” is a big word for an improper bite that doesn’t align correctly because of the teeth or jaws. Openbites, overbites, underbites, crowding, spacing and crossbites are types of malocclusions.

Dr. Sturgill, Dr. Williams, or Dr. Harper will discover the underlying cause of your bite problems and then recommend a course of treatment.

The obvious benefit of having your teeth straightened at Sturgill Orthodontics is achieving a stunning smile. This leads to a boost in self-esteem and confidence.

But, the perks don’t end there. Straightening your teeth can have a positive impact on your overall health. Here’s how:

• Straight teeth are easier to clean, which decreases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
• Crooked teeth and jaw issues can make chewing more difficult and lead to nutritional deficiencies.
• Straightening your teeth and positioning the jaws correctly distributes bite forces evenly so that you’re not straining the bones or damaging the gums, which can eventually cause tooth loss.
• Protruding teeth are more susceptible to getting knocked out or damaged.
• Certain kinds of malocclusion, like crossbites, cause people to compensate by moving their jaw forward or to one side and this can lead to permanent changes in skeletal growth and facial asymmetry.
• Crooked teeth often experience uneven wear and erosion of the tooth enamel.
• Jaw misalignment and imbalances in bite forces are associated with headaches, migraines, neck and shoulder pain and TMD.

The American Association of Orthodontists and our doctors at Sturgill Orthodontics recommend children receive their first orthodontic screening by the age of seven.

This lets us take a preventative and proactive approach and catch red flags early so that your child can avoid complicated treatment, surgery and extractions down the line.

Unfortunately, no they won’t. The space available for the teeth doesn’t increase with age. In fact, when the permanent molars usually come in, the space for the front teeth actually decreases.

While it’s never too late to seek out orthodontic treatment, the earlier we can address certain problems at Sturgill Orthodontics, the easier and faster your process will be.

In some cases, waiting too long will mean surgery or extractions are necessary to get the results you want.

Nope. Come one, come all!

While we certainly accept referrals from your doctor or dentist around Johnson City, TN, or Norton, VA, you don’t need one to schedule your free consultation.

You’ll get to meet the friendly, attentive Sturgill Orthodontics team. We’ll take x-rays, pictures and impressions so we can see what we’re working with.

You’ll meet with Dr. Sturgill, Dr. Williams, or Dr. Harper, who will give you your diagnosis and discuss possible treatment options while also addressing your questions, concerns, and goals.

Sure. We understand you have a busy schedule and we’re happy to help out.

On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent or guardian after the visit, so we ask that you check-in with your patient manager before dropping your child off.

The cost of orthodontic treatment at Sturgill Orthodontics depends on many factors, including the severity of the problem and how long treatment lasts. Your doctor will be glad to discuss the cost of treatment and your financing options with you before treatment begins.

The good news is that braces are more affordable today than ever. Our Sturgill team also works with insurance companies and offers payment plans that meet your family’s budget.

Most orthodontic problems are inherited.

Examples of these genetic problems you may see around Johnson City, TN and Norton, VA could be crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth and some jaw growth problems.