Meet Your Fargo Family Orthodontist
Dr. David Duevel
“Orthodontics is an incredible specialty, and I feel fortunate to be a part of the profession. It is gratifying to see the changes we can provide daily, and it is always satisfying to watch as a patient's self-confidence grows as we progress through treatment.
One of my main goals as a clinician is that patients are well-informed of their diagnosis and are given the resources to make a fully informed decision on how they would like to proceed with treatment. Successful orthodontic outcomes rely on a trusting relationship between the practitioner and the patient. I aim to ensure that all questions are answered so that no surprises arise during treatment.
Although orthodontic treatment can take many months, it does allow us to get to know and build relationships with our patients and their family members. It is those relationships that truly make practicing orthodontics so enjoyable.”
~ David Duevel, DDS, MS
Dr. Michael Keim
“I’ve practiced orthodontics since 1988 and still thoroughly enjoy my time at the office. It is a pleasure to work alongside staff who have become my family as we change smiles for people who become part of our extended family!
I was drawn to the profession after personally experiencing the tremendous changes and improvements that come with a smile you’re proud to share.
Orthodontics has long been and remains a passion in my life: being part of a person’s life-changing journey as we straighten their teeth and transform their smile is deeply rewarding.
For over 30 years, I’ve had the honor of watching people change over the course of treatment. Regardless of their age – a child, teen, parent, or grandparent – each person gains more comfort with their appearance, and with that comes an increase in their confidence.
The best day, for me, is when a patient finishes treatment and their new smile is revealed. Looking back at the improvement in their teeth, and seeing how proud the person is with what we’ve accomplished, is professionally and personally gratifying.”
— Michael Keim, DDS, MS
Orthodontic care for patients of all ages
Age shouldn't matter when it comes to orthodontic treatment. Everyone deserves to have a beautiful, straight smile that they can feel proud of, and everyone deserves to receive quality care from our team of orthodontics specialists. That's precisely why we offer a number of orthodontic treatments including braces and clear aligners, for children, teens, and adults at our office in Fargo.
Orthodontics for children
It surprises many parents to learn that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children get a check up by an orthodontist no later than age 7. This is because we want to make sure that your children are as healthy as they can be, and it's important that their teeth and jaws are aligned properly so that they will have a healthy bite.
Your child's teeth will have developed enough at that point that we will be able to identify any small problems that may exist within their growing teeth and their jaw. Getting a check-up with the team of experts at Fargo Orthodontics doesn't mean that your child necessarily needs braces right away. It could be determined that your child's bite looks great or we may also recommend that we continue to monitor it, in which case we could begin treating your child at the appropriate age. Still, each smile is different and in some cases, early treatment might be necessary.
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.
Orthodontic care for teens
The most common question teens have for us is how long they'll have to be in braces. The truth is, each person's smile is unique, meaning each case is unique, so there's not one set answer to the question. Your teen can take comfort knowing that our team will do everything possible to make sure that they will have their most beautiful smile. More good news? Today's braces are vastly superior to those that their parents or grandparent may have worn. Not only do today's braces come in several different styles, materials and colors, they are also smaller, more sleek, and much more comfortable than previous generations.
Teen treatment doesn't end with traditional metal braces, either. They also have the option to choose our clear, ceramic braces which are designed to blend in discreetly with their teeth but work the same way as their metal counterparts. If your teen wants to avoid wires altogether, they can also opt for treatment using clear aligners to straighten their teeth gradually using a series of clear, removable trays designed to fit over their teeth.
Adult orthodontics
You may be surprised to learn that adults make up roughly 20 percent of all orthodontic patients these days. With more adults than ever looking to achieve their beautiful, forever smiles, orthodontic treatment is clearly not just for children and teens.
Adults often choose to pursue orthodontics later in life because they realize how important maintaining their oral health is or they want to feel better about the way their smile looks. Other times we see adults who received orthodontic treatment when they were younger, but need a "touch up" to restore their former smiles.
At Fargo Orthodontics, we recognize that children, teens, and adults will all have different dental needs and need different levels of attention and care. We're committed to working diligently with each patient to ensure that they receive the most appropriate treatment and in the most inviting environment.
Schedule a free consultation with us today to get started.