For adults and teens in Meriden, Connecticut, deciding between fixed braces and removable clear aligners is a significant choice. Feldman Orthodontics, which serves Meriden patients from its nearby Cheshire office, offers both treatments, guided by four board-certified orthodontists: Dr. Jonny Feldman, Dr. David Feldman, Dr. Kelly Morrison, and Dr. Preeti Chandhoke. The practice operates three locations across Connecticut.
The primary distinction lies in how each method works. Braces use brackets bonded to the teeth and an archwire that applies continuous pressure. Because they are fixed, they operate without relying on patient compliance and can handle a wide range of movements, including complex rotations and bite corrections. Clear aligners, on the other hand, involve a sequence of custom trays, each worn for a set period before moving to the next. They are removable for eating and cleaning, making them less visible—a key reason many adults seeking clear aligners in Meriden start there. However, the trade-off is compliance: aligners only move teeth when worn consistently.
Teens often prefer aligners when participating in sports or playing musical instruments, where fixed appliances can be cumbersome. Yet braces may still be the better fit for many adolescent cases. At Feldman Orthodontics, each patient is assessed individually rather than steered toward a default option.
Treatment planning at the practice uses digital scanning and 3D imaging instead of traditional impressions. This technology captures precise measurements of tooth and jaw position, enabling a detailed view of alignment issues and supporting a more accurate plan from the start. For patients traveling from Meriden, remote monitoring is available in qualifying cases, potentially reducing the number of in-office visits during active treatment.
Younger patients are encouraged to have early orthodontic evaluations around age 7, consistent with guidance from the American Association of Orthodontists. Early assessment allows developing issues to be identified and, where useful, addressed before they become more complex.
One aspect that patients often underestimate is the role of retainers. Once braces or aligners have moved teeth into position, retainers are essential to hold them there. Teeth naturally tend to drift back toward their previous positions, and without consistent retainer wear, that drift can undo the result over months or years. Feldman Orthodontics includes retainer fitting and follow-up appointments in their treatment approach, with monitoring visits scheduled to confirm the correction is holding. The team emphasizes, “The retainer is not an afterthought—it is what makes the result permanent.”
Patients looking for an orthodontist in Meriden, CT can book a complimentary consultation at the practice’s Cheshire, Wallingford, or North Haven offices. Surgical orthodontics is available for cases involving skeletal discrepancies. For more information, visit Feldman Orthodontics.
