At Ahava Orthodontics, we believe the journey towards a beautiful, healthy smile begins with a comprehensive orthodontic exam. This initial examination is an essential step that provides valuable insights into your oral health and helps us tailor the most effective treatment plan for you. What is an Orthodontic Exam? An orthodontic exam is a comprehensive assessment carried out by an orthodontist to evaluate the health and structure of your teeth, gums, jaw, and facial muscles. This process often includes a visual examination, digital X-rays, photographs, and, if necessary, dental impressions. The information gathered during this exam aids in the diagnosis of any orthodontic issues and the creation of a personalized treatment plan. It is a crucial step in maintaining oral health and identifying potential problems early, facilitating effective and timely treatment. What to Expect During an Orthodontic Exam A typical orthodontic exam at Ahava Orthodontics involves several steps: Visual Examination: The orthodontist will visually inspect your teeth, [...]

When most people think about having braces, they think back to when they were kids. Most of the people you see with braces are kids, particularly around middle school age. But what if we told you that as an adult, it’s not too late? Adults can benefit from all kinds of orthodontics treatment, including braces. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists estimates that about one in four orthodontic patients (25%) are actually adults. So if you’re an adult, don’t worry: it’s never too late to get your perfect smile! There Is No Age Limit Fun fact: there is technically no age limit for having braces. In fact, some orthodontists have reported their oldest patients as being over 70 years old! This is thanks to the physiological process of moving teeth being the same no matter how old you are. Whether you missed out on orthodontic treatments as a kid or your teeth shifted some [...]

Interceptive orthodontic treatment is orthodontic treatment in its earliest possible phases. It is recommended that children have their first orthodontic appointments at seven years of age, but have you seen a seven year old with metal braces? Most likely not! This is because interceptive treatment is the orthodontic treatment that begins at or around seven years of age and sets children up for less invasive orthodontic treatment later in their pre-teen or teenage years. The benefits of early orthodontic treatment are endless, not the least of which are healthy smiles, lower future orthodontic bills and the comfort of knowing you are providing your child the best start possible to a beautiful smile they can enjoy throughout their life! The Difference Between Interceptive And Regular Orthodontic Treatment When you think of orthodontic treatment, you most likely envision the regular orthodontic treatment, with metal braces on a teenager or adult, appointments every six weeks to have the braces tightened, colored bands [...]

Many parents take their children to a pediatric dentist, but are not sure when to go to the orthodontist. Although there is no exact right time, there are some indicators that let us know that the time may be now! As a parent, you always want the best for your child, so that means knowing the signs and when to seek out treatment options. Taking proactive steps rather than having to make retroactive fixes can save your child from many dental, orthodontic, and general health procedures in the future!  We hope these five tips will give you a clearer picture of when orthodontics could be a great option. Here is a guide to help you! Your Child Just Turned 7 Years Old Depending on your child’s tooth development, they may start to lose baby teeth between ages 5-6. Shortly after this development, you may begin to see the emergence of a few permanent teeth. This stage of [...]

As a parent, you’re happiest when you see your child smiling. They smile, you smile. Now flash forward 20 years. And wipe that smile off your face because your child – now an adult – is no longer smiling. Your child is no longer happy. And your child is unhappy precisely because of her smile. Let that sink in: Your child is unhappy because of her smile. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), more than one-third of American adults are unhappy with their smiles. As a parent, you can’t protect your child from every unhappiness, but thanks to the latest orthodontic treatments, like Invisalign, you can protect them from the unhappiness of a crooked smile. Treatment with Invisalign, a sequence of clear aligners, is a popular, safe, and effective alternative to braces. Read on to find out how Invisalign can improve your child’s smile and set them up for a lifetime of happiness. When [...]

We help families in Fort Worth address one of the most common childhood habits that can lead to serious dental issues: thumb sucking. At Ahava Orthodontics, Drs. Andy and Shawne Barron work with parents to understand how this habit affects teeth alignment and provide gentle, effective solutions to fix it before long-term damage occurs. Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for infants and toddlers. It provides comfort, helps with self-soothing, and is generally harmless in the early years. However, if the habit continues past age 4 or when permanent teeth begin to emerge, it can interfere with the natural growth and positioning of the teeth and jaw. How Thumb Sucking Affects Developing Teeth The biggest concern with prolonged thumb sucking is the constant pressure it places on developing teeth and jaw structures. When a child sucks their thumb frequently or with force, it alters the way the mouth forms during critical growth stages. Some of the most [...]

We provide early orthodontic care in Fort Worth at Ahava Orthodontics to help families prevent and treat misaligned teeth in children before problems become more complex. Drs. Andy and Shawne Barron are passionate about identifying the true causes of crooked teeth, allowing for timely, gentle treatment that sets the stage for a healthy, confident smile. Misaligned teeth are not just a cosmetic issue—they can impact chewing, speech, and oral hygiene. Parents often wonder why their child’s teeth are growing in unevenly or why their bite doesn’t look quite right. The truth is, a variety of factors can contribute to early orthodontic issues, and many are preventable or manageable with early care. Common Causes of Misaligned Teeth in Children To understand how to treat misalignment, it’s essential to first recognize what causes it. Genetics, habits, and health conditions all play a role in how a child’s teeth and jaws develop. 1. GeneticsJust like eye color or height, the shape and [...]

We help families in Fort Worth protect their children’s health and smiles at Ahava Orthodontics by addressing a silent issue many overlook—mouth breathing. While it may seem harmless, chronic mouth breathing can dramatically influence jaw development and teeth alignment, especially during key growth years. Mouth breathing often begins subtly, perhaps due to allergies, enlarged tonsils, or chronic nasal congestion. But over time, the way a child breathes can change the shape of their face, interfere with normal bite development, and even lead to long-term oral health challenges. Understanding how breathing habits affect dental structure is the first step in addressing the root cause and protecting your child’s future smile. How Mouth Breathing Impacts Facial and Jaw Development Children are meant to breathe through their noses. Nasal breathing supports the proper development of the upper jaw and promotes a healthy tongue posture against the palate. When a child begins breathing primarily through their mouth, this natural growth process [...]

We offer expert orthodontic care in Fort Worth at Ahava Orthodontics, where Drs. Andy and Shawne Barron help parents understand the full spectrum of reasons children may need braces—not just for crooked teeth, but for lasting oral health and confidence. When most parents think of braces, they picture a solution for misaligned teeth. While that’s a big part of the story, there’s much more to it. Braces can address a wide range of dental and facial issues that, if left untreated, may cause discomfort, speech difficulties, or even long-term health problems. Understanding the real reasons behind orthodontic treatment can help you make better decisions for your child’s well-being. Early Orthodontic Issues Can Impact Jaw Growth and Development One of the most important but often overlooked reasons for early braces is to guide proper jaw development. Children’s jaws are still growing, and if that growth is uneven or misaligned, it can result in problems like overbites, underbites, or [...]

When most people think of orthodontics, they imagine teenagers with metal braces, awkward smiles, and the anticipation of straighter teeth in the future. But what many parents don’t realize is that orthodontic care can—and should—start much earlier. In fact, scheduling an orthodontic evaluation by the time your child turns seven can make a significant difference in their dental development and potentially save you thousands of dollars in future treatment costs. At Ahava Orthodontics in Fort Worth, Drs. Andy and Shawne Barron specialize in early orthodontic intervention designed to guide growth, prevent complex issues, and reduce the need for invasive treatments down the road. Here’s why early evaluations matter and what they can do for your child’s future smile and your family’s budget. Why Age Seven Is the Magic Number According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This might seem young, especially when most kids are still losing [...]