Lehi Orthodontics: Your Complete Guide to Braces, Invisalign & Expert Care

Lehi orthodontics covers the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of misaligned teeth and jaws for children, teens, and adults. Care options include metal braces, clear braces, clear aligners, and retainers. At Draper Elite Orthodontics, we serve Lehi families with personalized treatment designed around your smile goals, bite health, and lifestyle.

If you've been searching for an orthodontist near Lehi, UT, you've likely noticed there's a lot to sort through. Treatment types vary. Timelines vary. This guide is designed to give you clear, honest answers in one place, so you can make a confident decision for yourself or your child.

Here's what you'll find in the sections ahead:

• The full range of orthodontic options available to Lehi patients
• How treatment works for children, teens, and adults
• What to expect from your first visit through your final retainer
• The technology and credentials that shape quality care
• A direct comparison of braces vs. clear aligners
• Answers to the questions Lehi families ask us most

Draper Elite Orthodontics is led by Dr. Brandon Streiff, a board-certified orthodontist with years of specialty experience caring for Utah smiles. Our Draper office is a short drive from Lehi and surrounding Utah County communities, and we welcome children, teens, and adults into care that feels warm, thorough, and unhurried. From your very first visit, you can expect the kind of attention that puts you at ease and answers every question you bring through the door.

Treatment Options: Braces, Invisalign & Clear Aligners

The best orthodontic option depends on your bite, your goals, and how you want to look and feel during treatment. Here's a closer look at each choice available to Lehi patients.

Metal Braces

Metal braces are the most widely recognized orthodontic option, and for good reason. They're strong, reliable, and highly effective for a broad range of bite issues, including complex crowding, spacing, and jaw alignment concerns.

• How they work: Small stainless steel brackets are bonded to each tooth and connected by a shape-memory NiTi archwire that gently guides teeth into position.
• Best candidates: Children, teens, and adults with moderate to complex alignment needs.
• Typical timeline: Most cases finish in 12 to 24 months, though treatment length varies.
• Perks: Some patients enjoy customizing their look with colored elastics at each adjustment visit.

Clear Braces

Clear braces work exactly like metal braces, but the brackets are tooth-colored so they blend in against your enamel.

• How they work: Same bracket-and-wire system, with translucent ceramic brackets.
• Best candidates: Teens and adults who want fixed braces but prefer a lower-profile look.
• Trade-offs: Ceramic brackets can be slightly larger than metal and benefit from thoughtful oral hygiene to keep them looking clean.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign)

Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, removable clear aligners that shift teeth gradually. Clear aligners are one of the most popular options for adults and older teens.

• How they work: You wear each set of aligners about 20 to 22 hours a day, switching to the next set every one to two weeks based on Dr. Streiff's plan.
• Best candidates: Patients with mild to moderate alignment concerns who are disciplined about wear time.
• Advantages: Removable for eating, brushing, and flossing. Nearly invisible. No food restrictions.
• What to know: Compliance matters. Aligners only work when they're in your mouth.

Retainers and Post-Treatment Care

Once your teeth are in their new positions, retainers protect that result for life. We offer both fixed (bonded behind the teeth) and removable retainer options, and Dr. Streiff will recommend what best suits your case.

Retainer wear is not optional. Teeth naturally want to shift back over time, and consistent retainer use is what makes your beautiful new smile last for decades.

Matching Treatment to You

Every mouth is different. During your free consult, Dr. Streiff reviews your bite, discusses your lifestyle, and builds a customized treatment plan that fits your goals. Some patients are candidates for multiple orthodontic options and can choose based on preference. Others benefit most from a specific approach, and we'll explain exactly why.

Orthodontics by Age: Kids, Teens, and Adults

Orthodontic treatment isn't one-size-fits-all, and it certainly isn't just for teens. Here's how care differs across life stages.

Children (Ages 7 and Up)

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child receive a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. That doesn't mean braces at 7. It means an early look to catch issues while the jaw is still growing.

At this age, Dr. Streiff checks for:

• Crossbites, underbites, and open bites
• Severe crowding or spacing
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Thumb-sucking effects
• Jaw growth concerns

Sometimes early intervention (called Phase 1 or interceptive treatment) can guide jaw growth, create space for permanent teeth, and reduce the need for extractions later. Other children simply need monitoring until more permanent teeth come in.

Pre-Teens and Teens (Ages 11 to 15)

This is the most common window for full orthodontic treatment. Most permanent teeth are in, the jaw is still cooperative, and treatment tends to move efficiently.

Teens have real orthodontic options. Some prefer classic metal braces with colored bands. Others go for clear braces or clear aligners. All three can produce beautiful results when paired with a well-designed plan and consistent care habits.

Teen benefits at a glance:

• Peak biological timing for tooth movement
• Multiple aesthetic options
• Confidence boost heading into high school and beyond
• Improved bite function that supports long-term oral health

Adults

Orthodontic treatment isn't just for kids anymore. More adults than ever are choosing to invest in their smiles, whether they never had braces as a teen or want to correct shifting that happened over the years.

Adult treatment considerations:

• Discreet options like clear braces and clear aligners are especially popular
• Treatment works at any age, though tooth movement can be slower than in growing patients
• Existing restorations (crowns, bridges, implants) are factored into your plan
• Improved alignment often makes brushing, flossing, and long-term oral health easier

Whether you're 8 or 58, the fundamentals are the same: healthy teeth can be moved into better positions at any stage of life.

What to Expect: Your First Visit and Treatment Journey

Starting orthodontic treatment should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Here's exactly how it works at Draper Elite Orthodontics, where you'll be treated like family from the moment you walk in the door.

1. Free Consultation

Your first visit is complimentary and typically takes about an hour.

• Warm welcome and quick paperwork
• Exam with Dr. Streiff, including a review of your bite and smile goals
• Digital scan or photos (no messy impressions)
• Discussion of your orthodontic options

You'll leave knowing exactly what treatment would look like for you and how long it takes. No pressure to commit that day.

2. Records and Treatment Planning

Once you decide to move forward, we gather any records still needed, including digital scans and 3D imaging. Dr. Streiff uses these to design your customized treatment plan, mapping out how your teeth will move from start to finish.

3. Placement Visit

This is the day your treatment officially begins.

• For braces: Brackets are bonded to your teeth and the first wire is placed. Plan on 60 to 90 minutes.
• For clear aligners: You'll receive your first sets of aligners along with detailed wear instructions.

Expect an adjustment period during the first week or two. Teeth may feel tender as they start to move. Over-the-counter relief and soft foods help ease that early soreness.

4. Routine Adjustment Visits

You'll return to our Draper office every 4 to 8 weeks for check-ins.

• Wire changes and adjustments for braces
• New aligner sets and progress tracking for clear aligners
• Quick, friendly visits (usually 15 to 30 minutes)
• Progress photos so you can see how far you've come

5. Debond Day

The day the braces come off (or your final aligner is complete) is a celebration. We polish your teeth, take final photos, and hand you your first retainer.

6. Retention Phase

Retainers keep your new smile stable for life. We'll walk you through wear schedules, cleaning care, and periodic check-ins to make sure everything stays beautiful.

Advanced Technology and Board-Certified Expertise

Great orthodontic outcomes come from two things: skilled hands and modern tools. Draper Elite Orthodontics invests heavily in both.

The Technology You'll Experience

• Digital scanning: No goopy trays. A quick wand-based scan creates a precise 3D model of your teeth in minutes.
• 3D imaging and digital treatment planning: Dr. Streiff maps every stage of tooth movement before your first bracket goes on, so results are predictable.
• Shape-memory NiTi wires: Modern wires apply gentle, consistent force, which is more comfortable and often more efficient than older materials.
• Mini implants: For select cases, small anchors allow precise tooth movement that wasn't possible a generation ago.
• Diode laser: Used for minor soft-tissue refinements that enhance the final aesthetic of your smile.
• Clear aligners (Invisalign): Fully integrated with our digital planning workflow.

Board Certification Matters

Dr. Brandon Streiff is a board-certified orthodontist with the American Board of Orthodontics. That distinction is meaningful.

Consider this: only a small fraction of dental school graduates go on to complete the additional years of specialty training required to become an orthodontist, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Of those orthodontists, only a portion pursue board certification, a voluntary process that requires rigorous case review and examination by peers.

When you choose a board-certified orthodontist, you're choosing someone who has demonstrated their expertise beyond the minimum required to practice.

Continuing Education

Orthodontics evolves quickly. Dr. Streiff commits to ongoing education so Draper Elite Orthodontics patients benefit from the latest techniques, materials, and research. Better tools plus current training equals better outcomes for you.

Virtual Consult for Busy Lehi Families

For families in Lehi and across Utah County juggling school pickups, work, and activities, we offer a virtual consult option. Snap a few guided photos of your smile, and Dr. Streiff will personally review them and follow up with next steps. It's a low-effort way to explore your orthodontic options before driving to an in-person visit.

Braces vs. Invisalign: Which Is Right for You?

Both braces and clear aligners can create beautiful, healthy smiles. The right choice comes down to your specific case, lifestyle, and preferences. Use this side-by-side to compare.

When Braces Are the Better Choice

• Complex bite issues, including significant crowding, rotations, or jaw discrepancies
• Younger patients who benefit from a fixed option they can't lose or forget
• Cases where precise, three-dimensional control of every tooth is critical

When Clear Aligners Are the Better Fit

• Adults who want a discreet option for work and social settings
• Mild to moderate alignment cases
• Patients who are disciplined about wearing aligners consistently
• Anyone who prefers to remove their orthodontics for meals, sports, or special occasions

Compliance and Lifestyle

The single biggest factor in Invisalign success is wear time. If aligners live in your case instead of your mouth, treatment stalls. If you know that consistency is a challenge, braces may deliver more predictable results with less mental load.

Dr. Streiff will give you an honest recommendation during your free consult. In many cases, you'll have real choices. In others, one option will clearly serve your smile best.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lehi Orthodontics

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Most orthodontic treatment takes between 12 and 24 months, though simpler cases can finish sooner and complex cases may take longer. Your timeline depends on how far your teeth need to move, the option you choose, and how consistently you follow care instructions. Dr. Streiff will give you a personalized estimate at your free consult.

At what age should my child see an orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child have a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Most children won't need treatment at that age, but early evaluation lets Dr. Streiff catch developing issues while the jaw is still growing, which sometimes makes future care simpler and shorter.

Do you offer free consultations?

Yes. Every new patient free consult at Draper Elite Orthodontics is completely complimentary with no obligation. You'll meet Dr. Streiff, get an exam and digital scan, and discuss your orthodontic options, all before making any decision.

What areas near Lehi do you serve?

Our Draper office welcomes patients from Lehi, Draper, and surrounding Utah County and southern Salt Lake County communities. Many Lehi families find our location convenient, and our virtual consult option makes it even easier to get started without an extra trip.

Additional Orthodontic Resources

Continue learning more about your options with these related resources:

• Invisalign in Draper – A deeper look at clear aligner treatment and candidacy
• Braces at Draper Elite – Details on metal and clear braces
• Child Orthodontics – Early evaluation and Phase 1 treatment information
• Adult Orthodontics – Discreet options and considerations for adults
• Free Consult – Book your complimentary first visit online
• Virtual Consult – Get started without leaving home

For added authoritative information, visit the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Board of Orthodontics.

Schedule Your Free Lehi Orthodontic Consultation

Ready to take the first step? Draper Elite Orthodontics welcomes Lehi families into care that feels warm, thorough, and personal. Your free consult with Dr. Streiff includes an exam, a digital scan, and a discussion of your orthodontic options, all with no pressure and no obligation. You can trust that you'll be treated like family from the moment you walk in the door.

Prefer to start from home? Ask about our virtual consult. When you're ready, book online or reach out to our Draper office to schedule your visit. We can't wait to help you love your smile.