Dr. Gary L. Carlson

Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, guidance and correction of problems in the growing or mature dental and facial structures. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion," which means "bad bite."

Orthodontic treatment is a very unique and complex health care service. The practice of orthodontics requires professional skill in the design, application and control of corrective appliances, usually called "braces," to bring the teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment, improve the functional occlusion, and achieve facial balance.

A specialist in orthodontics, the "orthodontist," is a dentist who has completed at least two additional years of training in orthodontics at an accredited university after graduating from dental college.