Orthodontist Fort Wayne

Your Trusted Orthodontists in Fort Wayne, Indiana

What Does an Orthodontist in Fort Wayne Do?

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who straightens teeth and corrects jaw alignment. After dental school, orthodontists complete two to three years of additional residency training to diagnose and treat misalignment problems. At Hoagburg Orthodontics in Fort Wayne, Dr. Brian Hoagburg (DDS, MSD), Dr. Rachel Hoagburg (DMD, MSD), and practice founder Dr. Steve Hoagburg provide orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults using metal braces, clear braces, and clear aligners.

There are plenty of orthodontists in Fort Wayne, so how do you pick the right one? You want someone who understands your smile goals, offers flexible treatment options, and treats you like more than just another appointment on the calendar. That's what you'll find at Hoagburg Orthodontics, where we treat you like family because we are one.

Maybe your child needs braces, or you've been thinking about clear aligners for yourself. Your teen might be ready for a straighter smile before heading off to college. Whatever brought you here, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting started with braces in Fort Wayne or clear aligners at our family-owned practice. We serve families from two locations, our Fort Wayne office on Illinois Road and our Auburn office, so there's a convenient option no matter where you're coming from.

Benefits of Choosing Hoagburg Orthodontics in Fort Wayne

Hoagburg Orthodontics is a family-owned practice that has been creating stunning smiles for 35 years. Fort Wayne families choose us for free consultations, multiple treatment options including metal braces, clear braces, and clear aligners, and a team of orthodontists who treat every patient like part of the family.

Finding an orthodontist in Fort Wayne who truly listens makes all the difference. Here's what sets our practice apart.

Care Built Around You

No two smiles are alike. Dr. Brian and Dr. Rachel take time during your free consult to understand what matters most to you. They'll explain your options honestly and help you choose the approach that fits your life, your schedule, and your budget.

Multiple Treatment Options

Your smile transformation should work for you, not against you. We offer several paths to a straighter smile:

• Clear aligners are a popular choice for patients who want discreet treatment. You can remove them to eat, brush, and floss normally.
• Metal braces deliver efficient, reliable results and remain the go-to option for complex cases needing precise tooth movement.
• Clear braces blend in with your teeth while working just as hard, giving you the effectiveness of braces without the metallic look.

No-Cost Consultation

Your first visit is completely free. No strings attached. We don't think you should have to pay just to learn about your options. You'll get a full evaluation, learn about potential treatment approaches, and receive a clear picture of timeline and costs.

Long-Term Support Through the Smile Savers Retainer Club

Your relationship with us doesn't end when your braces come off. The smile savers retainer club helps protect your results for years to come with ongoing retention care and support. It's one of the ways we stay connected to our Fort Wayne families long after treatment wraps up.

How Orthodontic Treatment Works at Hoagburg Orthodontics

Getting started might seem complicated, but we've broken the process into clear steps so you always know what's coming next. The process includes five steps: a free consultation, a customized treatment plan, braces or aligner fitting, regular progress visits, and retention care.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Everything begins with a conversation. During your free consult, Dr. Brian or Dr. Rachel will examine your teeth and jaw, take any necessary images, and discuss your smile goals. Ask as many questions as you want. There's zero obligation, and you'll leave with a clear understanding of your options.

Your Customized Treatment Plan

Based on your evaluation, our Fort Wayne orthodontic team will build a customized treatment plan around your specific needs. You'll know the recommended approach, expected timeline, and full cost breakdown before making any decisions. No surprises, no pressure.

Getting Started

Ready to go? We'll schedule your braces placement or aligner fitting appointment. For braces, this involves bonding brackets to your teeth and connecting them with wires. Most patients say it's more comfortable than they expected. For clear aligners, you'll receive your first set of custom trays along with wearing instructions. Either way, you'll walk out already on your way to a better smile.

Regular Progress Visits

Here's where the real changes happen. You'll visit our Fort Wayne office every four to eight weeks for progress checks, depending on your treatment type. Your orthodontist will monitor tooth movement and make any necessary adjustments. These visits are usually quick, often 20 to 30 minutes.

Completing Treatment and Protecting Your Results

When your teeth reach their ideal positions, we'll remove your braces or you'll finish your final aligner tray. Then comes the retention phase. This part matters just as much as the active treatment. Your retainer keeps your teeth in place while the bone around them stabilizes. The smile savers retainer club at Hoagburg Orthodontics makes this ongoing care simple and straightforward.

Who Is a Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment?

Most children, teens, and adults are good candidates for braces or clear aligners at Hoagburg Orthodontics in Fort Wayne. Common candidates include children as young as seven, teens with permanent teeth, and adults at any age looking to correct alignment issues. Age rarely prevents someone from achieving a straighter, healthier smile.

Children and Early Evaluation

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. At this age, Dr. Brian and Dr. Rachel can spot potential problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth. Early evaluation doesn't always mean early treatment. Often, we simply monitor your child's development and recommend treatment when the timing is right.

Teens Ready for a New Smile

The teen years remain the most popular time for orthodontic treatment. Permanent teeth are in place, and many teens are motivated to improve their smiles before heading to college or entering the workforce. Both braces and clear aligners work well for teens, and our team will help your family decide which option makes the most sense.

Adults of All Ages

You're never too old to straighten your teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, roughly 1 in 3 orthodontic patients today is an adult. Whether you missed the opportunity as a teenager or your teeth have shifted over time, we can help.

Common Issues We Treat

Our Fort Wayne team helps patients address a wide range of alignment concerns, including:

• Crowded or overlapping teeth
• Gaps and spacing
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Misaligned jaws affecting bite function

A free consult is the best way to determine which treatment approach will work for your specific situation.

Why Fort Wayne Families Trust Hoagburg Orthodontics

When you choose an orthodontist, you're trusting them with your smile or your child's smile. That decision deserves careful thought. People sometimes search for terms like "fort wayne orthopedics" when they actually need orthodontic care, and it's worth understanding the difference. Orthopedics focuses on bones and joints throughout the body, while orthodontics is a dental specialty focused specifically on tooth alignment and jaw positioning. If straighter teeth or a better bite is what you're after, an orthodontist is the specialist you need.

Specialized Training and Expertise

Dr. Brian Hoagburg earned his DDS and MSD degrees, completing years of specialized orthodontic training beyond dental school. Dr. Rachel Hoagburg holds her DMD and MSD degrees with the same advanced orthodontic education. Together, they've focused specifically on tooth movement, jaw alignment, and creating beautiful, functional smiles. Their father, Dr. Steve Hoagburg, founded the practice and built its reputation on excellence, integrity and compassion, values that Dr. Brian and Dr. Rachel carry forward every day.

A Legacy of Excellence in Fort Wayne

For over three decades, this family-owned practice has served the Fort Wayne community with consistent, high-quality orthodontic care. That commitment continues today, creating a legacy of smiles that spans generations of local families. When you walk through our doors, you become part of our extended family.

Modern Technology for Better Results

We use advanced 3D X-Ray technology to plan your treatment with precision. Digital imaging helps our doctors see exactly how your teeth and jaw are positioned, leading to more accurate treatment planning and better outcomes. This technology gives us a detailed, three-dimensional view that traditional X-rays simply can't match.

Honest Communication Every Step of the Way

You'll never feel confused about your treatment or surprised by costs. We give honest explanations and transparent pricing. During your free consult, we'll answer every question and make sure you understand your options completely before moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Care in Fort Wayne

How much do braces cost in Fort Wayne?

Treatment costs vary based on your specific needs, the type of braces or aligners you choose, and how long treatment takes. Costs typically range from $3,000 to $7,000. The best way to get accurate pricing is through a free consult at Hoagburg Orthodontics, where we'll provide a full cost breakdown and discuss flexible financing options.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Most patients wear braces or aligners for 12 to 24 months, though your timeline depends on the complexity of your case. Simple spacing issues may resolve faster, while more significant alignment problems can take longer. Dr. Brian or Dr. Rachel will give you a realistic timeline estimate during your consultation.

What is the difference between clear aligners and braces?

Clear aligners are removable plastic trays that gradually shift your teeth. They're nearly invisible and let you eat whatever you want since you take them out for meals. Braces use brackets and wires bonded to your teeth that work continuously. Braces often work faster for complex cases, while clear aligners offer more flexibility for mild to moderate issues.

Feature	Clear Aligners	Metal Braces	Clear Braces
Visibility	Nearly invisible	Noticeable	Less noticeable
Removability	Yes	No	No
Best for	Mild to moderate cases	All cases	All cases
Maintenance	Remove to clean	Brush around brackets	Brush around brackets

Does Hoagburg Orthodontics offer payment plans?

Yes. We don't want cost to keep you from getting the smile you want, so we offer flexible financing options to fit different budgets. Our team will walk you through available payment arrangements during your free consult so you can choose what works best for your family.

At what age should my child see an orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age seven. By this age, enough permanent teeth have emerged for our orthodontists to identify potential issues. Early evaluation helps us determine the ideal timing for treatment if needed, and many kids don't need to start right away.

How is Hoagburg Orthodontics different from other Fort Wayne orthodontists?

We're a family-owned practice led by a brother-sister team, Dr. Brian and Dr. Rachel, who grew up in the Fort Wayne community. Our father, Dr. Steve Hoagburg, founded this practice, and we've carried forward his commitment to treating every patient like family. With two convenient locations, free consultations, flexible financing, and a genuine focus on building long-term relationships, we offer a personal level of care that larger practices often can't match. Many families who have visited other orthodontists in the Fort Wayne area, including those who previously considered other local practices, tell us the difference is clear from the first visit.

Ready for a Straighter Smile? Book Your Free Consult Today

Schedule your free consult at Hoagburg Orthodontics and find out what treatment looks like for you. During this no-obligation visit, you'll meet with Dr. Brian (DDS, MSD) or Dr. Rachel (DMD, MSD), learn about your treatment options, and get answers to all your questions.

We're ready to welcome you at our Fort Wayne office on Illinois Road or our Auburn location. Call us at (260) 486-4400 or visit our website to book your appointment online.

Our family can't wait to meet yours. Give us a call or book online, and we'll take it from there.