our services

Our practice areas
and expertise

We pride ourselves on providing
custom orthodontic treatments for
your specific alignment needs.

Comprehensive Treatment

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment to correct complex bite issues & teeth alignment problems.

Dental Braces

We offer both traditional metal and also ceramic (clear) braces.

Phase I Treatment

Phase I orthodontic treatment, often called early interceptive treatment

Orthodontic services for the whole family. Explore all services

FAQ

Common questions our orthodontist office receives. Contact us for more info.

Why is age 7 the recommended age for an orthodontic evaluation? I didn’t have braces until I was a teenager.


Age seven is ideal because most children have their permanent first molars and front four teeth by this time, with approximately 12 baby teeth remaining. At this stage, we can identify growth discrepancies between the jaws and begin addressing issues such as:

 

  • Narrow upper jaw
  • Lower jaw positioned too far forward or back.
  • Missing teeth that require future planning;
  • Excessive crowding
  • Thumb or finger habits
  • Excessive overbite

Early evaluation doesn’t mean everyone needs early treatment—it simply allows us to monitor development and intervene at the optimal time if needed.

This is a common misconception. While we do charge fees for both phases, Phase II receives a significantly reduced fee if Phase I was completed, so families are never “double charged.”

Phase I treatment addresses critical developmental issues during growth. The goal is to:

 

  • Promote correct jaw growth
  • Eliminate harmful habits
  • Prevent trauma or loss of permanent teeth
  • Improve function and address esthetic concerns

In certain cases, delaying Phase I treatment could necessitate jaw surgery or permanent tooth extraction later. While Phase I doesn’t completely eliminate these risks, it greatly reduces the likelihood of more invasive interventions.

Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, typically occurs between ages 7-10 while a child still has baby teeth. It’s only recommended when there’s a significant problem that will be harder to treat later, such as severe crowding, crossbites, or jaw growth issues. Not every child needs Phase I—many can wait until all permanent teeth are present.

Phase II is comprehensive treatment, usually with braces or aligners, that occurs after most or all permanent teeth have erupted (typically ages 11-13). This phase focuses on aligning all teeth and perfecting the bite.

Not always, but it’s common. Phase I addresses skeletal and developmental issues, while Phase II fine-tunes tooth alignment. Some patients may only need limited Phase II treatment or monitoring instead of full braces.

At our office, we do not increase fees for aligners or clear braces. We don’t want cost to be a barrier to choosing the most comfortable option for you.

 

In fact, we sometimes recommend aligners over braces, and vice versa, based on your specific clinical needs. These are all tools in our toolbox—certain diagnoses require specific tools for the best results.

  • Metal braces: Traditional, most durable, work for all cases, most cost-effective
  • Clear/ceramic braces: Less visible, same function as metal, slightly more fragile
  • Clear aligners: Removable, nearly invisible, require excellent compliance, may not work for complex cases

Each has advantages depending on your lifestyle, clinical needs, and preferences.

For many cases, yes. However, aligners require excellent compliance (20-22 hours per day) and may not be suitable for complex bite issues or severe rotations. We’ll recommend the best option for your specific situation.

Absolutely! There’s no age limit for orthodontic treatment. About 1 in 4 orthodontic patients is an adult. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age.

While general dentists can provide orthodontic treatment, orthodontists specialize exclusively in tooth movement and jaw alignment—it’s all we do, every day.


To become an orthodontist, we first complete dental school, then an additional 2-3 years of specialized orthodontic residency. I was fortunate to practice as a general dentist before returning to school to focus solely on orthodontics.

All orthodontic providers are held to the same standard of care, but specialists have the concentrated training and daily experience that comes from exclusive practice in this field.

What happens at the first consultation?

We’ll take photos, X-rays, and possibly digital scans of your teeth. We’ll discuss your concerns, examine your bite and jaw relationship, explain any issues we find, review treatment options, discuss timing, and provide cost estimates. Consultations are typically complimentary.

  • Treatment time varies by case:

    • Phase I: 6-18 months
    • Comprehensive treatment: 12-24 months on average
    • Complex cases or jaw surgery cases: 24-36 months

    Your specific timeline will be discussed at your consultation.

Getting braces placed doesn’t hurt, but you may experience soreness for 3-5 days afterward as teeth begin to move. Each adjustment may cause 1-3 days of mild discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers and soft foods help manage this.

After your consultation, we’ll schedule a placement appointment (1-2 hours). We’ll clean and prepare your teeth, bond brackets, place the wire, and teach you how to care for your braces. You’ll leave with instructions, supplies, and your next appointment scheduled.

How often will I need appointments?

Typical adjustment appointments are every 6-10 weeks for braces, and every 8-12 weeks for aligners, depending on your treatment plan and progress.

  • Straightening teeth is actually the easier part of treatment and typically takes 6-10 months. The more important goal is achieving proper function.

    Rubber bands help:

    • Move teeth within the bone to the correct positions
    • Promote proper jaw growth during growth spurts
    • Correct the bite (occlusion)
    • Improve profile when needed

    With a proper bite, you significantly reduce the risk of:

    • Premature tooth wear
    • Broken teeth
    • Bone loss
    • Tooth mobility
    • TMJ issues

    Rubber band compliance directly affects treatment time—the better the wear, the faster the bite correction. We address both form (appearance) and function during treatment.

Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods including:

  • Hard: Popcorn, ice, nuts, hard candy, hard pizza crust, bagels, raw carrots
  • Sticky: Caramel, taffy, gum, gummy bears, Starburst
  • Chewy: Bagels, licorice, beef jerky

These can break brackets and extend treatment time. We’ll provide a complete list at your appointment.

Yes! We strongly recommend wearing a mouthguard for all contact sports to protect your teeth, braces, and lips. We can provide an orthodontic mouthguard that fits over braces.

Yes, though there may be a brief adjustment period, especially for brass and wind instruments. Most musicians adapt within a few weeks. Orthodontic wax can help during the transition.

Call our office right away. We’ll get you in for a repair appointment. In the meantime, orthodontic wax can cover sharp edges. Don’t try to fix it yourself or wait until your next scheduled appointment—delays can extend treatment.

Absolutely. While orthodontists complete dental school, we specialize exclusively in orthodontics and no longer perform general dentistry procedures.

Working in tandem with your dentist throughout treatment ensures:

  • Early detection of cavities
  • Professional cleanings to prevent gum disease
  • The best possible final result
  • Reduced need for restorations after treatment

We recommend dental cleanings every 6 months (or every 3-4 months if you have gum issues) during orthodontic treatment.

Brush after every meal (at least 3 times daily) using a soft-bristled toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Brush above and below each bracket. Use floss threaders, proxy brushes, or a water flosser daily to clean between teeth. We’ll provide detailed instructions, demonstrations, and tools at your placement appointment.

Yes, though there may be a brief adjustment period, especially for brass and wind instruments. Most musicians adapt within a few weeks. Orthodontic wax can help during the transition.

Treatment timelines can extend for several reasons:

  • Poor elastic wear –
  • Rubber bands are essential for bite correction
  • Missed or rescheduled appointments – Delays in adjustments slow progress
  • Broken brackets/appliances –
  • Requires repair time and can set treatment back
  • Poor oral hygiene – May require pausing treatment to address dental health
  • Growth patterns – Sometimes growth is slower or different than anticipated
  • Lack of cooperation – Not following instructions (wearing appliances, avoiding hard foods, etc.)

The good news is that most delays are preventable with patient cooperation. We’ll always communicate openly about timeline adjustments and work together to get you to the finish line.

Yes, though there may be a brief adjustment period, especially for brass and wind instruments. Most musicians adapt within a few weeks. Orthodontic wax can help during the transition.

Why would I need jaw surgery?

In certain cases, jaw surgery is the only way to achieve proper function and a stable bite. While it also enhances facial esthetics, functional improvement is the primary goal.

Surgery may involve the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both, depending on the situation:

Upper Jaw (Maxilla):

  • Widening (expansion)
  • Upward movement (intrusion)
  • Forward movement
  • Any combination of the above

Lower Jaw (Mandible):

  • Forward advancement
  • Backward setback

Additional Procedures that can be performed simultaneously:

  • Genioplasty (chin surgery)
  • Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)

If jaw surgery is appropriate for your case, we’ll discuss a referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon before starting orthodontic treatment. Medical insurance may cover the surgical portion.

  • Jaw surgery may be recommended if you have:

    • Severe underbite or overbite that cannot be corrected with braces alone
    • Facial asymmetry
    • Difficulty chewing, biting, or swallowing
    • Chronic jaw or TMJ pain
    • Sleep apnea related to jaw position
    • Significant facial imbalance

    We’ll identify this during your consultation and discuss all options.

Yes, surgical orthodontics typically involves three phases:

  • Pre-surgical braces (12-18 months) to align teeth in preparation
  • Surgery by an oral surgeon
  • Post-surgical braces (6-12 months) to finalize alignment

Total treatment time is usually 24-36 months.

What happens when my braces come off?

At your debonding appointment, we’ll remove your braces, clean and polish your teeth, take final photos and records, and deliver your retainers. The appointment typically takes about an hour. Many patients choose to whiten their teeth after braces for an even brighter smile.

Contact us immediately. Teeth can shift quickly without retention—sometimes in as little as a few days. Replacement fees apply ($150-$400 depending on type), so always keep retainers in their case when not wearing them.

Retention is forever. Initially, retainers are worn full-time (20-22 hours per day) for several weeks, then transition to nighttime-only wear. Teeth naturally want to shift throughout life due to aging, growth, and normal dental changes, so long-term retention preserves your results.

  • Removable clear retainers: Nearly invisible, comfortable, must be removed for eating
  • Removable wire retainers: Traditional, durable, more visible

We’ll recommend the best option for your case, and some patients use a combination.

Yes, teeth can shift if retainers aren’t worn as directed. This is called relapse. Even with perfect retainer wear, minor changes can occur over time due to aging and natural dental drift. Consistent retainer wear minimizes this risk.

This means your teeth have shifted. Contact us immediately. Depending on how much movement occurred, you may need:

  • A new retainer to hold the current position
  • Short-term treatment to move teeth back
  • In severe cases, full retreatment

Don’t force a retainer that doesn’t fit—it can damage teeth.

Do you accept our insurance?

Yes, we accept insurance and will bill on your behalf, whether we’re in-network or out-of-network.

Important facts about orthodontic insurance:

  • Most plans provide a one-time lifetime benefit (typically $1,000-$3,000)
  • Unlike dental insurance, orthodontic benefits don’t reset annually
  • Benefits only reset if you change insurance companies
  • We’ll verify your coverage and maximize your benefits

We offer flexible payment plans to make treatment affordable. Most families make a down payment at the start of treatment and spread the remaining balance over monthly installments (usually interest-free). We’ll work with your budget.

Costs vary based on complexity and treatment type:

  • Phase I treatment: $2,000-$4,000
  • Comprehensive treatment (braces/aligners): $4,750-$7,000
  • Complex cases or surgical cases: $6,000-$8,000+

We provide exact costs at your consultation based on your specific needs.

Yes, we offer flexible, interest-free payment plans. After insurance and down payment, the remaining balance is divided into monthly payments over the course of treatment (typically 12-24 months).

Many offices offer a 5% courtesy discount for payment in full at the start of treatment. Ask about this at your consultation.

Your comprehensive fee includes:

  • All appointments (adjustments and emergency visits)
  • All appliances and materials
  • All photographs, radiographs, and digital scans
  • First set of retainers
  • Post-treatment observation appointments as needed

Additional costs may include: replacement retainers, broken appliance fees due to non-compliance, and extended treatment beyond the original plan due to poor cooperation.

I'm pregnant. Can I still get braces?

Yes, pregnancy is not a contraindication for orthodontic treatment. However, we avoid X-rays during pregnancy (unless absolutely necessary with proper shielding). Some pregnant patients experience increased gum sensitivity and may need more frequent cleanings. Discuss your pregnancy with us so we can adjust care accordingly.

Gum disease must be controlled before starting orthodontic treatment. Moving teeth with active gum disease can accelerate bone loss. We’ll coordinate with your dentist or periodontist to ensure your gums are healthy before proceeding.

Yes, natural teeth can be moved around implants. However, implants themselves cannot move because they’re fused to the bone. We plan carefully to achieve ideal alignment while respecting the fixed position of implants.

Yes, we offer flexible, interest-free payment plans. After insurance and down payment, the remaining balance is divided into monthly payments over the course of treatment (typically 12-24 months).

Most dental work should be completed before starting orthodontic treatment. However, minor issues can sometimes be addressed during treatment in coordination with your dentist. We’ll evaluate your specific situation at your consultation.

What is a digital scanner and why is it better than traditional impressions?

Digital scanners create a 3D image of your teeth using a small wand—no goopy impressions needed. They’re more comfortable, more accurate, faster, and allow us to show you a preview of your treatment results.

No, we only utilize digital radiographs of the panoramic and cephalometric views. If a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image is needed, we will refer you to either a periodontist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for this imaging and evaluation

Yes! Using digital treatment planning software, we can show you a simulation of your expected results. While not a guarantee (since biology and patient cooperation affect outcomes), it provides an excellent preview of your future smile.

Yes! We work consistently with the State of Michigan to process the needed paperwork and documentation to ensure that any and all coverage they may provide is given to you.

Contact Information

110 North Main Street
PO Box 107
Perry, MI 48872

Directions: View on Google Maps

Phone: 517-625-5552
Text: 833-691-5552
E-mail: mikaortho@mikaorthodontics.com

Open
Hours

Office Hours

Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday | 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday | Closed
Saturday | Closed
Sunday | Closed

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Orthodontic Services in Perry MI