Braces & Clear Aligners in Mentor
Expert Orthodontic Solutions for Every Smile
Orthodontics by Dr. Ken Lawrence offers advanced braces and clear aligners, backed by dual board-certified expertise. His experience in early treatment, complex craniofacial cases, airway diagnosis, and surgical orthodontics means you get the best care available no matter what.
Guided Growth for Healthier Smiles
Early treatment helps guide jaw growth, create space, and support healthy breathing patterns. Orthodontic evaluation at age 7 or 8 allows us to individualize the start of orthodontic treatment for each patient.
Having an exam at this age does not mean treatment will begin, or that it's even needed at this time. Seeing patients when they are younger allows us to give each patient the maximum benefit of expert monitoring of their growth and development. The start of treatment is individualized to the ideal time for each child.
You can never go to the orthodontist too early, but waiting until your child is nearly done growing can mean missing out on simpler, less intrusive treatment options.
A referral from your dentist or hygienist is not needed to make an appointment.
What Early Treatment Identifies & Corrects
Early orthodontic treatment focuses on identifying and correcting developing issues in jaw growth, airway function, and crowding.
We can widen the palate, greatly improve nasal airflow, create the space a child needs for adult teeth, and enhance proper facial and dental development.
Small orthodontic problems in small children can become large problems in adolescence. The only way to know is through an expert orthodontic evaluation. If you have any concerns about your child's growth or smile, we're happy to evaluate and provide expert guidance.
Long-Term Advantages of Early Care
Intervening early can significantly reduce the need for extractions, improve sleep and breathing, and support healthier facial development. Tooth impactions, especially canines, can be identified and, in many cases, relieved, avoiding later surgical procedures.
By promoting balanced jaw development during growth years, we can often prevent the need for future complex treatment — including jaw surgery. This early guidance supports a stable, functional, and naturally beautiful smile.
Surgical Solutions for Complex Bite Issues
Orthognathic surgery corrects skeletal imbalances that can't be resolved with orthodontics alone. When paired with Dr. Lawrence's expertise, patients achieve better facial harmony and smile aesthetics, greatly improved function, better facial harmony, and long-term stability.
The Cleveland Clinic has highlighted numerous Dr. Lawrence orthodontic patients on their website and print publications. These features emphasize the collaborative work between Dr. Lawrence and Cleveland Clinic Plastic Surgeons, showcasing the results and benefits of multidisciplinary care. In the 2026 medical school textbook Virtual Surgical Planning in Plastic Surgery, multiple patients from Dr. Lawrence's private practice were used as examples by the authors.
What Jaw Surgery Helps Resolve
Orthognathic surgery is a procedure that repositions the jaws to correct structural differences that can affect chewing, breathing, and facial balance. It's recommended when the upper and lower jaws have grown to different sizes or shapes, are uneven, or when the jaw structure limits the airway.
The Benefits of Orthognathic Surgery
Surgical correction brings the jaws into proper balance with the lips and face, improves how the teeth fit together, enhances airflow, and supports overall facial harmony. Patients benefit from lasting function, clearer speech, easier breathing, and a smile that fits naturally with their facial structure.
Three members of our staff have personal experience with the positive life-changing experience of surgical orthodontic treatment. They are always available to provide insight and guidance for you in this journey.
Comprehensive Care for Complex Needs
Dr. Lawrence has served as the sole orthodontist for The Cleveland Clinic's Craniofacial Team since 2007. As a member of this multi-disciplinary team, Dr. Lawrence continues to provide highly specialized care for patients with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial conditions.
Expertise in Coordinated Treatment
Cleft and craniofacial orthodontics requires precise timing and close collaboration with surgical and medical specialists.
Dr. Lawrence guides patients and parents through each phase—from early evaluation to presurgical orthodontics, both for bone grafting procedures, ages 6 to 10, and later orthognathic procedures in adolescence and early adulthood. We also coordinate with multiple other dental and medical specialists, for your best stable, aesthetic, and healthy results.
Dr. Lawrence's extensive experience managing the full spectrum of craniofacial needs enables patients and families to navigate this very complex treatment with clarity and confidence.
Support From Childhood Through Completion
Many craniofacial patients require care at multiple stages of growth. Our office provides continued evaluation and adjustment as the child's face and jaws develop, helping ensure long-term function, improved speech outcomes, and balanced facial structure.
Families receive consistent, expert-driven support throughout every step of the process.
The Importance of Retention
Finishing orthodontic treatment is an exciting milestone! Now it's time to enjoy your beautiful smile. Retainers are your smile's new best friend, keeping your smile looking its best!
Lost or broken retainers happen. Eventually, even well-cared-for retainers will wear out or get icky.
We partner with RETAIN because they deliver replacement retainers right to your door.
Your first retainer is included in your treatment. At the end of treatment, we will also provide you with a link to create an account with RETAIN. There is no fee to set up the account and you'll be able to order on demand, or create an automated replacement schedule.
If you've been wearing your existing retainers regularly, your replacement retainers will continue to fit. If you haven't worn your retainer in a while, RETAIN will direct you back to Dr. Lawrence's office to get an up-to-date scan. Simple!
Did you know that your teeth are always moving?
Even after orthodontic treatment, your teeth will try to move as you age. Retainers are a lifetime commitment!
Since everyone eventually needs a replacement retainer, we want it to be simple for you to get one. RETAIN keeps it simple.
- Lost retainer? Pet chewed your retainer? There's a new one coming your way without making an appointment and taking time away from school or work.
- Away at college and need a new retainer? No more waiting until you get home to replace it.
- Ready for a fresh retainer? Your choice to create an automated delivery schedule or order on demand, as needed.
- Travel frequently? Order a second retainer to keep in your travel bag.
You worked hard to help us create that winning smile. Retention should be the easy part.