Braces straighten teeth and correct bites using brackets bonded to each tooth and an archwire that guides them into position. Dorfman Orthodontic Group treats Huntingdon Valley patients at our Southampton office on Knowles Avenue, a short drive up Huntingdon Pike from Lower Moreland Township, and at our Bensalem office on Bristol Road. Treatment is planned and delivered by Dr. Jake Dorfman, a board certified orthodontist, with metal braces and clear braces available for kids, teens, and adults.
How Braces Work
Each bracket acts as a handle on the tooth. The archwire threaded through those handles wants to return to its original shape, and as it does, it applies light continuous force. Bone remodels around the moving root, and the tooth settles into its new position. Adjustments every six to ten weeks keep that process moving toward the plan Dr. Dorfman mapped out at your first visit.
Two bracket materials are available at DOG Ortho:
- Stainless steel brackets – the workhorse of orthodontics, strong enough for the most demanding tooth movements and the most affordable option we offer
- Ceramic brackets – tooth-shaded and far less visible in photos and on video calls, with the same mechanics behind them
Braces correct crowding, spacing, rotated teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. If you would rather not have anything bonded to your teeth, ask about Invisalign at your consultation. Dr. Dorfman is a Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider and will tell you honestly which approach suits your case.
Why Huntingdon Valley Patients Choose Braces
Clear aligners get most of the attention, but braces still solve a wider range of problems and ask less of the patient day to day.
They work without you thinking about them
Braces are bonded on. There is nothing to remove before lunch and nothing to lose in a backpack at Lower Moreland High School. For families juggling school, practice, and work, that removes the single biggest variable in orthodontic treatment.
Full control over difficult movements
Rotated canines, impacted teeth, severe crowding, and large bite corrections need three-dimensional control at the root, not just the crown. Fixed appliances give Dr. Dorfman that control, which is why complex cases are so often treated with braces.
A discreet option that still handles hard cases
Ceramic brackets let adults and older teens get the mechanical advantages of braces without the full metal look. They are a common request from Huntingdon Valley professionals who spend their days on camera.
Predictable cost
For complicated cases, braces frequently come in below clear aligner treatment. We review the full fee at your complimentary consultation and pair it with a payment plan, so nothing about the number is a surprise later.
Easier hygiene for the rest of your life
Straight, well-aligned teeth have fewer overlapping surfaces to trap plaque. The benefit of treatment does not end the day the brackets come off.
Your Braces Treatment at Dorfman Orthodontic Group
Complimentary consultation. We take digital records and photos, Dr. Dorfman examines your bite, and you leave knowing whether you need treatment, what it involves, what it costs, and how long it should take. There is no fee and no referral required.
Bonding day. Placing braces takes about an hour and involves no needles and no drilling. Teeth are cleaned and prepared, brackets are bonded, and the wire is placed. Expect general tenderness for a few days, easily handled with soft food and over-the-counter pain relief.
Adjustment visits. Every six to ten weeks we change wires, check progress, and add elastics or auxiliaries as the plan requires. Most appointments are short, and we schedule Huntingdon Valley families together whenever possible so one trip covers everyone.
Debond and retention. Brackets come off, we polish the enamel, and retainers are delivered the same week to hold the result. Our Retainers for Life program covers what comes next.
Are Braces Right for You?
Braces are appropriate for most patients with crowding, spacing, or a bite that does not fit together correctly. Children are usually evaluated around age seven so we know whether early interceptive treatment would help, though full braces typically wait for more permanent teeth. Teens are the most common age group we treat. Adults are treated at any age as long as the gums and supporting bone are healthy, which is something we check before starting.
The honest answer for any individual comes from an exam. Some patients arrive expecting years of treatment and need eleven months. Others assume aligners are the only acceptable option and change their mind once they see what ceramic brackets look like in the mirror.
Why Families Near Huntingdon Valley Trust DOG Ortho
- Board certified. Dr. Dorfman earned certification from the American Board of Orthodontics during his first year in practice, a credential roughly half of orthodontists hold.
- Trained locally, practicing locally. He grew up in Richboro, earned his DMD Summa Cum Laude at Temple, and completed orthodontic specialty training and a Master’s in Oral Biology there as well.
- Two nearby offices. Huntingdon Valley sits between our Southampton and Bensalem locations, so appointments rarely mean a long drive.
- Straightforward finances. Zero and low down payment plans, 0% interest, no credit checks, and in-network status with most major insurers. See financial information and insurance for details.
- Giving back. A portion of every treatment started goes to charity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces in Huntingdon Valley
How far is your office from Huntingdon Valley?
Our Southampton office at 345 Knowles Avenue is the closer of the two for most Huntingdon Valley families, a short drive along Huntingdon Pike and Buck Road. Bensalem is a straightforward alternative if it fits your route better.
How long will I wear braces?
Most cases run between twelve and twenty-four months. Minor corrections finish sooner, and cases involving significant bite changes or growth take longer. Dr. Dorfman gives you an estimate at the consultation and updates it as treatment progresses.
Do braces hurt?
Placement itself does not hurt. Teeth feel sore for two to four days afterward and briefly after each wire change. Soft foods, orthodontic wax, and standard over-the-counter pain relief handle it.
What can I not eat with braces?
Hard, sticky, and chewy foods are the ones that break brackets: ice, hard candy, caramel, popcorn kernels, whole apples and carrots unless sliced. See our life with braces page for the full list.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
No. You can schedule a complimentary consultation directly, and we coordinate with your general dentist throughout treatment.
Do you take my insurance?
We welcome all insurances and are in-network with most major carriers. Our insurance coordinator files the claims and works to maximize your benefit.
Schedule a Free Braces Consultation Near Huntingdon Valley
There is no cost and no obligation to find out where your smile stands. Call or text our Southampton team at (215) 910-4376, or reach our Bensalem office at (215) 935-4639. You can also contact us online to request a complimentary consultation at whichever office is easier for you.