Meet Your Decatur Tuscaloosa Orthodontist Dr. R. Glen Cowan Education Dr. Cowan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982 from the University of Alabama before attending the University of Alabama School of Dentistry and earned his D.M.D. degree with honors in 1986. He earned a Master of Science degree in Orthodontics from the University of North Carolina in 1992 and opened his practice in Tuscaloosa after graduation. Dr. Cowan was also a part-time clinical instructor at the University of Alabama Orthodontic Department for over 10 years. Julie Whitaker, DMD Education & Experience Dr. Whitaker earned her undergraduate degree at Clemson University. From there, she went on to the University of Alabama, where she earned both her DMD and Master’s of Science in Orthodontics. During her academic career, Dr. Whitaker received several awards for academic excellence. Today, she stays up-to-date with the latest in orthodontic treatments and technology to provide patients of all ages with high-quality care. Care For All Ages From Your Tuscaloosa Family Orthodontist At Cowan & Whitaker Orthodontics, we believe that everyone should be able to access quality orthodontic treatment and that everyone deserves a beautifully aligned smile. We are proud to offer a full range of orthodontic services, including braces and Invisalign, for children, teens, and adults at our office in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa Orthodontics For Children In order to ensure that your child is as healthy as possible, it's important that their teeth and jaws are properly aligned, giving them a healthy bite. Many parents are surprised to learn that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children get an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. By that age, your child's teeth have developed enough so that small problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth can be spotted while they still have some baby teeth. A check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine and that braces won't be necessary, or we may identify a potential problem and recommend that we monitor it. From there, we may begin treatment at a time that is appropriate for the child. In other cases, we may recommend early treatment. Orthodontic Care For Tuscaloosa Teens Early treatment allows our team to monitor the growth and development of your child's jaw, meaning we can catch and begin treating problems while they're still in the early stages. This can cut down the length of treatment considerably. Teens often want to know, "How long will I be in braces?" There's no set answer, as each case is different, just like each smile is unique. We're always going to do everything that we can to ensure that your teen has their most beautiful, forever smile. Fortunately, today's braces are a big improvement over the ones that previous generations have experienced. They're smaller, sleeker, and far more comfortable than ever before. They also come in a variety of styles, materials and colors. In addition, teens also have more treatment options than ever before. In addition to traditional metal braces, teens also have the option of choosing clear, ceramic braces, which work the same way traditional braces do, but are designed to blend in with your teen's teeth, giving a more subtle appearance. Also, if your teen wants a new smile with no wires, whatsoever, they might consider treatment using clear aligners, such as Invisalign. Clear aligners straighten teeth gradually using a series of clear, removable trays that fit over the teeth. Adult Orthodontics In Tuscaloosa Orthodontic treatment isn't just for children and teens. More adults than ever are seeking beautiful, forever smiles through orthodontic treatment. Today, roughly 1-in-5 orthodontic patients are adults, so it's never too late to get that stunning smile that you've always wanted. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment later in life because they understand how important it is to maintain their oral health, they want to feel better about their overall appearance, or both. We also see many adults who have received orthodontic treatment during their early years, but are in need of a "touch up" to regain the smiles they once had. At Cowan & Whitaker Orthodontics, we recognize that children, teens, and adults will all have different dental needs and need different levels of attention and care. We work diligently with each patient to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for you in the most inviting environment. Schedule a free consultation with us today to get started.
