Orthodontist Serving St. Andrews, FL

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation around age 7. At this age, I can evaluate how your child’s teeth, jaws, and bite are developing and identify concerns that may benefit from early attention.

An early evaluation doesn’t necessarily mean your child needs braces right away. If treatment isn’t needed yet, we can continue monitoring their growth and development so we know when the timing is right.

At Buttram Orthodontics, we want families to have the information they need to make confident decisions about their child’s orthodontic care without feeling pressured to begin treatment before it’s necessary.

Some common signs that a child may benefit from orthodontic treatment include crowded or overlapping teeth, noticeable spaces, an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or teeth that aren’t erupting properly.

You may also notice difficulty biting or chewing, frequent cheek biting, or trouble keeping crowded areas clean.

The best way to determine whether your child needs braces is through an orthodontic evaluation. I’ll look at your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw development before recommending whether treatment is appropriate.

Neither option is automatically better for every child. The right choice depends on your child’s age, orthodontic needs, dental development, bite, lifestyle, and ability to follow treatment instructions.

Braces can be an excellent option for many children and teens, while Invisalign® may be appropriate for patients who can consistently wear and care for their aligners as directed.

During your consultation, I’ll explain which options are appropriate for your child and help you understand the advantages of each.

The cost of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the type of treatment, the complexity of your orthodontic needs, and the expected treatment time.

After I evaluate your smile, our team will explain the recommended treatment plan, expected costs, insurance benefits, and available payment options.

We also offer flexible financing options, including 0% interest in-house financing and financing through OrthoFi, along with military, family, and pay-in-full discounts.

Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits, although coverage varies from one plan to another.

Buttram Orthodontics accepts most PPO dental insurance plans, including United Concordia for military families. Our team can help you understand how your benefits may apply to treatment and assist with the insurance process.

I always recommend confirming the details of your individual plan before beginning treatment.

Yes. We offer flexible payment options to help make orthodontic treatment more manageable for families.

We provide 0% interest in-house financing, financing through OrthoFi, and other payment options. We also offer military, family, and pay-in-full discounts.

During your complimentary consultation, we’ll review your treatment plan and available financial options so you can choose an approach that works for your family.

There isn’t one treatment timeline that applies to every child. Treatment length depends on the type and amount of tooth movement needed, your child’s growth and development, and how consistently they follow their treatment instructions.

Some cases are relatively straightforward, while more complex alignment or bite concerns may take longer.

At your consultation, I’ll evaluate your child’s individual needs and give you a realistic estimate based on their specific treatment plan.

Absolutely. We’re proud to care for military families throughout Panama City and the surrounding communities, including families stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base and Naval Support Activity Panama City.

We also welcome military families who relocate to the area while already in braces or Invisalign® treatment. If your family is transferring to the Panama City area during orthodontic treatment, let our team know. We’ll work with you to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Buttram Orthodontics accepts United Concordia and offers a military discount to help make orthodontic care more accessible for military families.

Your first visit is an opportunity to meet our team, talk about your concerns, and learn more about your treatment options.

Dr. Buttram will perform a detailed examination of your teeth and bite and take any necessary digital imaging. He’ll then discuss his findings, explain your treatment options, and answer your questions about the orthodontic process.

We’ll also review your financial options and help you understand what to expect if you decide to begin treatment.

There’s no pressure to make a decision on the spot. Our goal is for you to feel comfortable, informed, and confident about your next steps.

Buttram Orthodontics welcomes patients from throughout Panama City and the surrounding Bay County communities.

In addition to St. Andrews, we regularly care for families from Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, Callaway, Millville, Pretty Bayou, Parker, Bayou George, and other nearby communities.

Our office is located at 2929 FL-77 in Panama City, making it convenient for families looking for an orthodontist near St. Andrews.