Midway Orthodontics: Braces and Invisalign for Every Age
What Is Midway Orthodontics?
Midway Orthodontics refers to specialty orthodontic care for families in and around Midway, Georgia, including Invisalign, clear braces, metal braces, and retainers that correct crowding, gaps, and bite issues. Innovative Orthodontics treats children, teens, and adults, and every new patient starts with a free, no-pressure consultation.
Straightening teeth is what we do all day, every day. Orthodontists complete three additional years of residency after dental school, focused entirely on tooth movement and facial growth, which is why a specialty office looks at your bite differently than a general dentist would.
Families in the area have four main options to consider:
- Invisalign clear aligners, removable and virtually undetectable
- Clear braces made of tooth-colored ceramic, less noticeable than metal
- Metal braces, smaller and more comfortable than the ones you remember
- Retainers to hold your new smile once active treatment wraps up
Whichever option fits your case best, your smile journey is planned, adjusted, and monitored by an orthodontist from the first visit to the last.
Dr. Waters, Dr. Clayton, and Dr. Pearson see children, teens, and adults at three convenient offices in Savannah, Rincon, and Pooler, all a short drive up Highway 17 or I-95. Can't get away during the workday? Virtual visits let you start the conversation from your kitchen table.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing Innovative Orthodontics in Midway?
Orthodontic treatment at Innovative Orthodontics offers better bite function, easier cleaning, discreet choices like Invisalign and clear braces, digital scans instead of goopy impressions, and age-appropriate planning for children, teens, and adults. Every smile journey begins with a free, no-pressure consultation, so you'll know your options and your costs before you commit to anything.
Straight teeth aren't only about looks. A corrected bite chews better, speaks more clearly, and puts less strain on your jaw joints over time.
Here's what patients notice most:
- Better bite function. Teeth that meet correctly spread chewing forces evenly instead of grinding down a few spots.
- Easier cleaning. Crowded, overlapping teeth trap plaque. Straighter teeth are simpler to brush and floss, which lowers your risk of decay and gum disease.
- No goopy impressions. We use digital scans instead. It takes a few minutes, and there's nothing to gag on.
- Discreet choices. Invisalign and clear braces let adults and teens straighten their teeth without drawing attention.
- A free consult first. You'll know your options and your costs before you commit to anything.
- Age-appropriate planning. A 9-year-old with a developing crossbite needs a different plan than a 45-year-old with shifting front teeth.
| Treatment Option | Best For | Visibility | Removable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal braces | All case types, budget-conscious families | Visible | No |
| Clear braces | Teens and adults wanting a subtler look | Barely noticeable | No |
| Invisalign | Mild to moderate cases, disciplined wearers | Virtually invisible | Yes |
| Retainers | Everyone, after active treatment | Varies by type | Usually |
Metal braces remain a cost-effective choice because they don't require some of the newer technology that other treatments do. Dr. Waters or Dr. Clayton will walk you through the trade-offs honestly, including which options your case actually qualifies for.
The Orthodontic Treatment Process, Step by Step
Orthodontic treatment follows five steps: a free consultation with digital scans and X-rays, a custom treatment plan, placement of braces or delivery of your first aligners, progress visits every six to ten weeks, and retainers to hold your beautiful, straight smile. Most cases finish in 6 to 24 months.
Step 1: Your free, no-pressure consultation
You'll meet your smile team, get a full exam, and we'll capture digital records including photos, X-rays, and a digital scan of your teeth. Plan on about an hour. No goop, no obligation.
Step 2: Your custom treatment plan
Dr. Waters, Dr. Clayton, or Dr. Pearson reviews your records and explains what's happening with your bite in plain language. You'll compare aligners against braces side by side, see your estimated timeline, and talk numbers, including easy financing that fits your budget.
Step 3: Getting started
Braces day takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half. Brackets have little hooks or doors where your orthodontist threads the wire, then secures it with a door or an elastic tie. Aligner patients receive their first several trays with wear instructions, typically 20 to 22 hours a day.
Step 4: Progress visits
You'll come in every six to ten weeks for adjustments or new aligner sets. Schedule those visits at whichever of our convenient offices in Savannah, Rincon, and Pooler fits your week best. These appointments are short. We're busy people too, so we work hard to stay on schedule. Some check-ins can happen virtually.
Step 5: Retainers
Teeth drift. Retainers are what keep your beautiful, straight smile exactly where we put it, and wearing yours as directed is the single best thing you can do for your investment.
Complex bite corrections take longer than simple crowding. Your actual timeline gets set during your free consult, not guessed at.
Who Is a Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment?
Almost anyone with healthy teeth and gums is a candidate for orthodontic treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7. Teens are often treated during the window when permanent teeth settle in, and adults face no upper age limit as long as their supporting bone and gum tissue are healthy.
Am I too old for braces?
No. It's never too late for a confident smile. We treat adults in their 30s, 50s, and 70s. Teeth respond to gentle pressure at any age, and adult treatment often moves a little slower, that's all.
| Age Group | Why It Matters | Common Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Children (7-10) | Jaw is still growing; some issues are easier to guide now | Monitoring or early phase treatment |
| Teens (11-17) | Permanent teeth in place, growth still active | Metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign Teen |
| Adults (18+) | Health and confidence, plus fixing old shifting | Invisalign, clear braces, metal braces |
Issues we correct regularly include crowding, spacing and gaps, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and teeth that shifted years after a first round of braces.
Invisalign candidacy depends on two things: how complex your case is, and how consistently you'll wear the aligners. Take them out for meals and forget to put them back in, and progress stalls. Dr. Waters or Dr. Clayton will tell you straight whether aligners can deliver the result you want.
Why Do Patients Trust Innovative Orthodontics?
Only a small share of dental school graduates go on to complete an orthodontics residency, which is one reason specialty care looks and feels different from general dentistry. Becoming an orthodontist typically takes around 11 years of education and training: four years of college, four years of dental school, and three years of residency devoted to moving teeth and guiding facial development.
A few more reasons families make the drive:
- Orthodontist-led care. Dr. Donihue Waters, Dr. Christopher Clayton, and Dr. David Pearson personally direct every custom treatment plan, from your first digital scan through your final retainer check.
- Recognized locally. Best of Savannah, Best of Effingham, Best of Pooler, and Best of Georgia Regional Winners.
- Aligner planning experience. Invisalign cases are mapped tooth by tooth, and Dr. Waters or Dr. Clayton will tell you up front whether aligners can deliver the beautiful, straight smile you're after.
- Clear numbers up front. You'll see the full cost and your financing options at the consult, before anything starts.
- A family-friendly office. Kids, siblings, and parents are all welcome in the same visit, and we aim to be the best part of your day.
- Flexible scheduling. Three convenient offices plus virtual visits, conducted in a HIPAA-compliant format.
Frequently Asked Questions About Midway Orthodontics
How much do braces or Invisalign cost in our area?
Cost depends on your case: how much movement is needed, which appliance you choose, and how long you'll be in treatment. Metal braces typically cost less than Invisalign because they don't require the same technology. You'll get an exact number at your free consult.
That number arrives with easy financing options and a breakdown of what your insurance may contribute. No surprise bills later.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Most patients finish in 6 to 24 months. Minor crowding or a small gap can be corrected in well under a year. Full bite correction with jaw growth guidance takes longer. Your consistency matters too, especially with aligners and elastics, since skipped wear time adds weeks to the schedule.
Does insurance cover braces or aligners?
Many dental plans include an orthodontic benefit. It's often a lifetime maximum rather than an annual one. Coverage varies widely by plan, and some policies limit benefits by age.
Our team will verify your specific benefits before you start. We'll apply them to your balance, then set up easy financing for whatever remains.
Is Invisalign as effective as braces?
For most mild to moderate cases, yes. Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. Braces still handle certain complex rotations, significant bite corrections, and severe crowding more predictably. Dr. Waters or Dr. Clayton will tell you honestly which one fits your case.
At what age should my child see an orthodontist?
Age 7. By then, enough permanent teeth have come in for your orthodontist to spot developing crossbites, crowding, or jaw growth concerns. An early visit doesn't mean early treatment. Some orthodontic issues are best addressed between ages 7 and 10, before all the permanent teeth arrive, and catching those on time makes later treatment simpler.
Do I need a referral to book a consultation?
No referral needed. You can schedule your free, no-pressure consultation directly with Innovative Orthodontics. Many patients come to us through their family dentist, and we're glad to coordinate with your dentist throughout treatment, but you're welcome to call or book online on your own.
Book Your Free Midway Orthodontics Consultation
Here's what to expect at your free consult: a full exam, digital scans, X-rays, and a sit-down with Dr. Waters, Dr. Clayton, or Dr. Pearson to review your options. Plan on about an hour, and bring your questions.
There's no obligation and no pressure. You'll leave knowing your treatment options, your timeline, and your costs, then decide on your own schedule.
Our convenient offices in Savannah, Rincon, and Pooler welcome children, teens, and adults from across the Lowcountry. Call 912-354-3474 or book online at mysmileteam.com/free-consult. Prefer to start from home? Ask about a virtual visit.
New smile, new you. Let's get started.