Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose and treat problems with the position, alignment or spacing of the teeth, and related irregularities in the face and the jaw. We use a number of special treatments, including braces and other oral appliances, to correct these problems.

There are two good reasons: aesthetics and function. Having an attractive smile not only changes the way people see you it enhances your own self-image as well. Orthodontic treatment also allows your teeth to function better and makes it easier to keep them clean, which can improve your overall health.

You're never too old to begin orthodontic treatment but if you start at an earlier age, your problems may be easier to treat. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child who may need orthodontic treatment should come in for a first visit around age 7.

Teeth that are protruding, crowded together or erupting out of position are clear indications that treatment is needed (View Examples). Less obvious signs are mouth breathing, frequent biting of the cheek or palate, speech difficulties, and thumb sucking that goes past 3-4 years of age. If teeth don't meet properly when the mouth closes, or if jaws make sounds or shift as they move, this may also indicate an orthodontic problem.

Having braces put on is generally painless. Some people experience minor aches and pains in the first couple of days or so, as they adjust to wearing their appliances; periodic adjustments may sometimes cause soreness as well, though it typically lasts only a short time. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to alleviate any discomfort, but are usually unnecessary.

If your teeth are severely crowded (because your mouth is too small to properly accommodate all of them) or if you have impacted teeth (teeth that are trapped beneath the gum line by other teeth) then extraction may be necessary. In the case of younger patients, early treatment may make extraction unnecessary.

Yes you should pass up the types of foods that could damage or become trapped in your braces. Some of these include raw vegetables, hard candy, caramel, taffy and ice cubes (fortunately, ice cream is OK). We will give you a list of foods to avoid.

In a word: Yes. Of course, whether you wear braces or not, we recommend you wear a mouthguard when playing most sports. Musicians are generally able to play their instruments just as they did before, but they may need a short adjustment period after getting braces.

You do in fact, it's more important than ever! Keeping teeth free of plaque (and potentially, decay) can be challenging when you're wearing braces. Your dentist can help you avoid these problems with frequent cleanings and exams.

Almost always, the answer is yes: If you don't wear a retainer, your teeth can rapidly shift out of position and then all the effort put into your treatment is lost! Your retainer helps you maintain that good-looking smile for a lifetime.

Orthodontic care is a long-term investment in your health and well-being. Yet its cost hasn't increased as fast as many other consumer prices, and many financing options are available that make orthodontic care affordable. Weighed against the true cost of living with problem teeth, orthodontic treatment can be a wise investment indeed.

The Magic of Orthodontics Proper alignment of the teeth is basic to Smile Design. Their position dictates how they work together and affects the way you look and smile. Only orthodontic treatment can move teeth into the right position. Simply put, when things look right, they probably are right. Learn the basics of smile analysis and design and whether the magic of orthodontics will work for you... Read Article

Orthodontics for the Older Adult Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there's no such thing as too old for braces. In fact, nowadays about one out of every five orthodontic patients is an adult. Yet this figure represents only a small portion of adults who could actually benefit from orthodontic treatment... Read Article

Dr. Michael A. Weiler grew up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Atlanta, Georgia. He and his wife, Brittany, and their daughter, Clara, moved to the valley in 2010, and they absolutely love it! In 2012, they welcomed the birth of their son Robbie. In 2015, they were blessed with another son Henry. And in 2018, they made it a party of 6 with the birth of their son Benjamin.

After serving a two-year mission for his church in central California, Dr. Weiler graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah in 2003 with a major in zoology (the study of animals). After graduating at the top of his dental school class at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia in 2008, Dr. Weiler completed a two-and-a-half year residency in orthodontics at MCG in 2010.

Dr. Weiler achieved board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics in 2011. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists (in which he served as a member of the Council on New and Younger Members in 2009), the Southern Association of Orthodontists, and the Virginia Association of Orthodontists.

Dr. Weiler is also a member of the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a young man. He enjoys all outdoor activities (especially snowboarding and golf), reading good books together with Brittany, playing catch with Clara, wrestling with Robbie, reading to Henry, and snuggling Benjamin. He loves interacting with his patients of all ages and looks forward to bringing smiles to life in the valley for many years to come.

We know that our office is only as effective and as welcoming as the people who work in it, which is why we take pride in our friendly and well-trained team members! We put your needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment in a supportive and nurturing environment. We promise to speak candidly with you about possible treatments as well as any risks and associated costs of treatment, and how treatment can address your individual needs.

Our staff is uniquely trained and highly skilled, and we strive to provide unparalleled service to each patient. Our staff consists of team members with specialized training and certifications, and years of experience in treating patients with the highest level of care. We strive to stay abreast of the very latest in technology and advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars.

A Virginia native, Sarah decided to pursue a career in Orthodontics by attending a dental program here in the Shenandoah Valley following her Biology degree from Radford University. When she's not in the office she's a busy mama to her daughter Cora. She can't wait to help you on your smile journey and will happily welcome you to the Weiler Smile Club!

Jenifer came to us as an intern and after developing a love for orthodontics she decided to stay with the team permanently! We are so grateful for her positive energy and ability to speak multiple languages including Spanish! She is a recent graduate of HHS and MTCs dental assisting program and is continuing her education with hopes of staying in the dental field long term. When shes not assisting patients or making aligners in the lab, you can find her at our local Buffalo Wild Wings where she enjoys her favorite food!

Hannah is the teammate who will help you with your payments and assist you in utilizing your flexible spending and health savings accounts for orthodontic treatment! When Hannah isnt working with patients and payments, she is walking her dog Gansett around downtown Harrisonburg. She loves hiking and swimming near the many rivers the Shenandoah Valley has to offer. Hannah loves to travel anywhere she can bring her dog and cant wait to tell our patients about all of her adventures near and far!

As one of clinical assistants, Jessy loves to seat each patient on time and make their visit as comfortable as possible. She is a native of the Shenandoah Valley and graduated from MTC and went to work immediately in our office 16 years ago! In addition to doing a lot of our in-house lab work, Jessy enjoys pushing her body to the limit with Crossfit workouts, Rugged Warrior events, and hiking and kayaking.

Renee enjoys helping our patients have a great experience each time they visit our office. She has been a clinical assistant with us for over 20 years! Renee was born and raised in Augusta County and still lives there with her husband Timmy. They have two adult children, four cute grandchildren, and a new puppy! When she isnt working, Renee enjoys cooking and spending time with her family.

After working in general dentistry for 2 years, Ashley found a love for the ortho side of teeth and joined our team as an orthodontic clinician. As our Invisalign Coordinator, Ashley specializes in clear aligners and also handles our patients Virtual Care. Ashley thoroughly enjoys rainy days, spending time with her two dogs, Mia and Rico, and doing any and all things that involves being outdoors during the summer!

Angie is a certified orthodontic clinical assistant who joined our practice after completing the dental assisting program locally at MTC! Outside of the office, Angie loves to cook, travel and spend time with her family and dogs Ruger and Taco. While she loves to see all of the new and current patients smile, her favorite part of her job is getting to know everyone along their journey!

Originally from Page County, Jaden enjoys friends, family and shopping! Her favorite part of her job is meeting new patients and using our iTero scanner to help for treatment diagnostics. She cannot wait to help new patients learn how orthodontics can help improve their smile!

After working in the dental field in general dentistry and oral surgery for 4 years, Jocelyn decided to expand her knowledge and join our team in creating beautiful smiles! When she's not busy in the clinic, she enjoys traveling with her fiance and spending time with her family.

As our insurance coordinator, Jenna works hard with your insurance company to maximize your benefits for orthodontic treatment! She and her husband, John, live in Harrisonburg and enjoy taking their dogs, Jax and Shy, on walks! When she is not busy coordinating benefits, she loves a good book, working out and spending time with family and friends.