Orthodontist Glencoe, IL: Braces & Clear Aligners at Brady Orthodontics

What Does an Orthodontist in Glencoe Do?

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who corrects the alignment of teeth and jaws. The orthodontist Glencoe families visit has finished dental school plus a separate residency devoted only to tooth movement, bite correction, and facial growth. Dr. Brady diagnoses alignment concerns and then designs a plan using braces, clear aligners, expanders, or retainers.

Orthodontists are dentists first. Out of 100 dental school graduates, on average, only six go on to complete a specialty residency in orthodontics. That extra residency, layered on top of college and dental school, is what separates a specialist from a general dentist who occasionally straightens teeth.

Dr. Patrick Brady completed four years of college, four years of dental school, and two years of orthodontics residency, 11 years of training in total. He's a board-certified orthodontist through the American Board of Orthodontics. He also teaches in the orthodontic residency program at UIC, which means he helps train the next generation of specialists.

Conditions an orthodontist treats

• Crowding, when teeth overlap because there isn't enough room in the arch
• Spacing and gaps, including gaps left by missing teeth
• Overbite, when upper front teeth extend too far past the lower teeth
• Underbite, when the lower jaw sits ahead of the upper jaw
• Crossbite, where upper and lower teeth don't meet in the right position
• Open bite, when front teeth don't touch when the back teeth close
• Crooked or rotated teeth that affect both function and appearance

Brady Orthodontics serves Glencoe and the surrounding North Shore communities from two offices, and the practice treats children, teens and adults under one roof. Our Winnetka office is minutes from Glencoe, and our Evanston office is a short drive south, so appointments stay easy to reach. Siblings, parents, and grandparents often end up in treatment together.

Options offered at Brady Orthodontics

• KLOwen custom metal braces
• Clear braces for a subtle look
• Clear aligners (removable, nearly invisible trays)
• Palatal expanders to make room for your new smile
• Retainers to keep your smile for a lifetime

Every plan starts with a conversation. We listen to your goals and work with you to build the plan that gets you your dream smile.

Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment for Glencoe Families

Straight teeth aren't only about appearance. A balanced bite protects enamel, simplifies brushing, and takes strain off the jaw joints. Here's how a smile journey at Brady Orthodontics pays off for Glencoe families.

Health benefits

• Easier cleaning. Straight teeth have fewer tight overlaps where plaque hides, so it's much easier to brush away when teeth are aligned. Plaque itself is a sticky, colorless film made of bacteria, food, and saliva.
• Lower risk of decay and gum inflammation. Cleaner teeth and healthier gums go hand in hand.
• Less enamel wear. When your bite meets evenly, chewing forces spread out instead of grinding down a few teeth.
• Reduced risk of chipped front teeth. Protruding upper teeth are more vulnerable during sports and falls.

Function benefits

• More comfortable chewing. A corrected bite lets molars do the work they're built for.
• Clearer speech. Certain bite issues affect how the tongue and teeth shape sounds.
• Less jaw strain. Uneven pressure can leave the jaw muscles tired and sore by the end of the day.

Confidence benefits

A straightened smile gives you brand new confidence. School photos, first days, college interviews, weddings, job promotions: your smile shows up for all of it. The self-esteem that comes from a smile you actually like is life-changing, and it doesn't have an age limit.

Benefits of interceptive treatment for children

The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Brady recommend a child receive their first orthodontic evaluation by around age seven. At that age, we can:

• Guide jaw growth while the bones are still developing
• Create space for permanent teeth and reduce the chance of extractions later
• Correct crossbites and harmful habits before they shape the jaw
• Monitor and time full treatment for the right moment

Discreet options for teens and adults

Not everyone wants to announce their treatment. Clear braces blend in with your smile, and while they're not entirely invisible, they're far less noticeable. Clear aligners from Brady Orthodontics can give you the straight smile you want without anyone noticing you're in treatment. Because aligners come out for meals, you won't have any food restrictions either.

Your Orthodontic Treatment Process, Step by Step

Your smile journey follows five steps: a free consult and exam, a custom plan, appliance placement, progress visits every four to eight weeks, and retainers. Most full cases finish in 12 to 24 months, while minor corrections wrap up sooner. Getting started is easy!

Step 1: Your free consult and first free exam

Your first visit is complimentary. Dr. Brady examines your teeth, bite, and jaw, then we capture digital records including digital scans, digital X-rays, and photos. No goopy trays.

We'll also ask what's bothering you. Crowded front teeth? A bite that clicks? A wedding in 18 months? Your goals shape the plan.

Step 2: Your custom treatment plan

Dr. Brady walks you through the appliance options that will actually work for your case, not just the popular ones. You'll see:

• Which options fit your bite and your lifestyle
• An estimated timeline from start to retainer

Ask every question you have. You'll interact personally with Dr. Brady at each visit and enjoy his full attention to ask questions, raise concerns, or share a laugh.

Step 3: Appliance placement

Braces day usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Dr. Brady bonds each KLOwen bracket into a position mapped for your teeth, then places the first wire. State-of-the-art NiTi shape-memory wires apply constant, gentle force in the right direction, so you spend less time in braces and the time you do spend is more comfortable.

Starting with clear aligners? We'll deliver your first trays, review wear time (typically 20 to 22 hours a day), and show you how to insert and remove them.

Step 4: Progress visits

Plan on stopping by every four to eight weeks for adjustment appointments or a new set of aligner trays. Visits are usually short. We check tooth movement, change wires or elastics as needed, and confirm you're on schedule.

Between visits, we're a text or call away for loose brackets, poking wires, and everything in between.

Step 5: Retention

Once your teeth reach their finish line, the appliances come off and retainers go in. Retainers hold everything in place while the bone and gums settle around the new positions. Dr. Brady gives you specific wear instructions and checks in during follow-up visits, because the goal is smiling for life, not just for a year.

Who Is a Candidate? Treatment Options by Age and Case

Almost anyone with healthy teeth, gums, and bone is a candidate for orthodontics. Children can start screenings at age seven, teens typically begin between 12 and 16 once most permanent teeth arrive, and adults can straighten their teeth at any age. Dr. Brady confirms the right option during your free consult at Brady Orthodontics.

Children (ages 7 and up)

A first orthodontic evaluation around age seven lets us watch jaw growth at the ideal moment. Many kids simply come back for periodic growth checks. Others benefit from interceptive treatment such as a palatal expander, a partial appliance, or space maintenance to guide permanent teeth into better positions.

Teens (ages 12 to 16)

The teen years are the most common time for a smile journey because most permanent teeth are in place. Teens in Glencoe choose based on their schedule and their activities:

• Metal braces for complex bite corrections and athletes who don't want to track trays
• Clear braces for a subtle look in photos and on video calls
• Clear aligners for teens who are organized about wear time

Adults

Adults are candidates at any age because bone remodels throughout life, so age isn't a barrier. Adults usually gravitate toward clear aligners or clear braces for subtle treatment and a straighter smile. If you had braces as a teen and your teeth shifted after retainer wear stopped, a shorter round of treatment is often enough.

Comparing your options

Cases that need a closer look first

Some situations call for evaluation or coordination before appliances go on:

• Severe bite discrepancies that may need a specialist team approach
• Untreated decay or active gum disease (your general dentist handles these first)
• Missing teeth or older restorations that affect anchorage and spacing
• Significant bone loss around the teeth

No guessing required. Dr. Brady reviews your digital scans and X-rays, explains what he sees, and tells you honestly whether now is the right time to start.

Why Glencoe Patients Choose Brady Orthodontics

Glencoe families have plenty of options nearby. Here's what brings them to Brady Orthodontics.

• Specialist-led care from start to finish. Dr. Patrick Brady is a board-certified orthodontist through the American Board of Orthodontics, an American Association of Orthodontists member, and an American Dental Association member. Your plan is designed and delivered by an orthodontic specialist, not a mail-order aligner company reviewing photos from a distance.
• Training that goes well beyond dental school. Four years of college, four years of dental school, and two years of residency dedicated to orthodontics, 11 years of training in total. Dr. Brady also teaches in the orthodontic residency program at UIC, which keeps him sharp on current technique and evidence.
• Minutes away for North Shore families. Two offices, flexible appointment times, and short progress visits that fit around school pickup, practice, and work. Our Winnetka location is a quick drive from Glencoe. Your time is important.
• A free consult with no obligation. You'll leave the first free exam knowing your options and your estimated timeline in plain language.
• Comfort-focused, modern appliances. KLOwen custom braces, NiTi shape-memory wires, digital scans instead of messy trays, and digital X-rays. Fewer surprises, more predictable tooth movement.
• A friendly & fun experience for the whole family. Siblings are treated together, parents get straight answers at every step, and our team knows your name when you walk in.

You can also review our before and after photo gallery and patient testimonials to see real smiles from families near Glencoe.

Dr. Brady is a board-certified orthodontist who teaches orthodontic residents at UIC, and nothing makes him happier than giving your family top-quality care to keep you smiling for life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontics in Glencoe

At what age should my child first see an orthodontist?

By around age seven. The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Brady both recommend a first orthodontic evaluation at that age, because enough permanent teeth have come in to spot crowding, crossbites, and jaw growth concerns. An early visit doesn't mean early treatment. Often it simply means we monitor growth and start at the ideal moment.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Most full cases run 12 to 24 months. Minor corrections, like closing a small gap or realigning a few front teeth, can finish faster. Your timeline depends on how far your teeth need to move, your age, and how consistently you wear elastics or aligners. Dr. Brady gives you an estimate at your free consult.

Do braces hurt, and what does soreness feel like after adjustments?

Braces don't hurt when they're placed. It's normal to feel some soreness for a day or two after braces are put on or after adjustment appointments, and it usually feels like tenderness when you bite down. Soft foods and a warm salt water rinse help. The feeling is short-lived and fades as your teeth settle.

Can I get clear aligners as an adult, and how are they different from braces?

Yes. Clear aligners are a popular choice for adults in Glencoe who want a straighter smile without visible hardware. The system uses a series of fully customized, clear trays that are nearly invisible and completely removable, so you can eat what you like and brush normally. Braces stay on your teeth and work continuously, which makes them the stronger choice for complex bite corrections. Dr. Brady will tell you which one suits your case.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Near Glencoe Today

Ready to get started? Schedule a free consultation with Brady Orthodontics and get real answers about your smile.

Here's what happens at your first free exam:

• A full exam of your teeth, bite, and jaw with Dr. Brady
• Digital scans, digital X-rays, and photos for your records
• A review of the options that fit your case, from KLOwen metal braces to clear braces and clear aligners
• Your estimated timeline, with no pressure to decide that day

Call (847) 446-2245 or book online at bradyortho.com/free-consult. New patient forms are available ahead of time, so your visit moves quickly once you arrive.

Our Winnetka office at 585 Lincoln Ave. sits just minutes from Glencoe, and our Evanston office is a short drive down the North Shore. Both welcome children, teens and adults from Glencoe and the surrounding communities, including Northfield and Kenilworth. One practice, one specialist, for every member of your family.

Dream big. Smile big.