Orthodontic treatment has changed dramatically in recent years for patients of every age. At Lion’s Tooth Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dr. Erin Speier offers the full spectrum of orthodontic care, from timely treatment in young children to comprehensive treatment for adults, combining the latest technology with a personalized approach to create a unique treatment plan for each patient. There is no single right answer in orthodontics. Dr. Speier’s job is to find the best solution for you.
Dr. Erin Speier is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, the global leader in board certification that sets the standards of care for excellence in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. She focuses on growth, development, and achieving results that are as functional as they are beautiful. She treats patients at every stage of orthodontic readiness, from timely treatment in children before their permanent teeth fully erupt, to teens navigating treatment alongside everything else adolescence brings, to adults who are finally ready to address something they have been putting off for years.
Dr. Speier’s commitment to finding the right treatment for the right patient at the right time, rather than defaulting to a single approach distinguishes her orthodontic practice. She will take the time to understand your goals, explain your options honestly, and recommend what she sincerely believes will best serve each patient.
Orthodontic consultations at Lion’s Tooth look a little different than what many patients expect, and that is intentional.
Dr. Speier uses the iTero digital scanner to create precise, detailed 3D images of your teeth and bite quickly and comfortably. The scanner is a small handheld wand that simply moves around the mouth, producing a highly accurate digital model that Dr. Speier can use immediately to assess your teeth, show you what treatment might look like, and begin building a precise treatment plan. For patients with sensory sensitivities, the iTero scanner is easily tolerated. No goopy material, no gagging, no waiting for molds to set. The priority is always accuracy and the best possible outcome for each patient.
Invisalign First is a clear aligner system designed specifically for young children who are still in the mixed dentition stage, meaning they have a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth. It is one of the tools Dr. Speier uses to gently guide jaw development, create space for incoming permanent teeth, and address bite concerns during a window of growth when the jaw is still highly responsive to orthodontic forces.
Timely treatment in children does not always mean eliminating the need for future treatment, but it often reduces its complexity and duration significantly. Dr. Speier will be honest with you about whether treatment is indicated for your child or whether a watchful waiting approach makes more sense.
For children and teens whose treatment requires widening the upper arch to create space or improve the bite, Dr. Speier offers both traditional rapid palatal expanders and the newer Invisalign palatal expander, and she is one of a select group of orthodontists trained in the Invisalign expander system.
A traditional rapid palatal expander, or RPE, is an appliance cemented to the upper teeth that has been used effectively in orthodontics for decades. It remains an excellent option for many patients and is sometimes the most clinically appropriate choice depending on the dental and skeletal development of the patient, if any teeth have crowns, and patient compliance.
The Invisalign palatal expander, or IPE, offers an alternative for suitable patients. IPE achieves the same goal of arch widening through a series of removable plastic expanders rather than a cemented appliance. For families who are concerned about the day-to-day management of a traditional expander, including eating restrictions, good oral hygiene, and activation/turning, this option can make the experience significantly more comfortable without compromising the result.
Dr. Speier will evaluate your child’s specific needs and recommend whichever approach she believes will deliver the best outcome. The goal is never to default to the newest technology or the most convenient option. It is to find the right fit for each patient and their treatment needs and goals.
Orthodontic treatment in children is sometimes divided into two phases.
Timely treatment in mixed dentition/Phase I treatment typically occurs between the ages of seven and ten while a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth. The goal is to address developing problems early, guiding jaw growth, correcting crossbites, creating space, and laying the groundwork for a healthy bite before all the permanent teeth arrive. Dr. Speier offers both Invisalign and traditional braces for timely treatment depending on needs of the patient.
Comprehensive treatment of the permanent dentition/Phase II treatment typically begins once most or all of the permanent teeth have come in and focuses on aligning the teeth and perfecting the bite. Again, Dr. Speier offers the full range of options including Invisalign and traditional braces, and will recommend the approach that best serves each patient’s specific goals and clinical needs.
Teenagers are among the most common Invisalign patients, and for good reason. Clear aligners fit naturally into the social and athletic demands of adolescence in a way that traditional braces sometimes do not. They are removable for oral hygiene, sports, performances, photos, and the rare special occasion. They are discreet enough that many people will not notice them at all. Invisalign works when it is worn consistently, and Dr. Speier is direct and supportive with her teenage patients about what that commitment looks like.
Traditional braces remain an excellent option for teens whose treatment needs are better served by a non-removable appliance; for patients that might not be as responsible or compliant with a removable appliance, for patients with good oral hygiene, and for patients that are excited to pick a new “color” at every appointment.
Dr. Speier will always recommend what is clinically preferred. She works closely with teenage patients to make sure they understand their treatment, feel invested in their progress, and know what is expected of them to get great results.
It is never too late. Adult orthodontic treatment has grown significantly in recent years as more people recognize that a well-aligned bite is not just about appearance. It affects how you chew, how you speak, how your jaw feels, and the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
Dr. Speier treats adult patients with both Invisalign clear aligners and traditional braces, tailoring treatment to each patient’s goals, timeline, and lifestyle. Many adults prefer Invisalign for its discretion and flexibility, and Dr. Speier’s expertise with the full Invisalign system means she can treat a wide range of complexity with clear aligners. As a veteran Air Force orthodontist, Dr. Speier has over 21 years of experience working with adult patients with the most severe malocclusions and she is an expert in multidisciplinary treatment plans.
If you have thought about orthodontic treatment as an adult but assumed it was not for you, a consultation with Dr. Speier is worth your time.
Lion’s Tooth is a pediatric dental and orthodontic practice. This allows Dr. Speier to work alongside our pediatric dentists as part of a coordinated care team. Your child’s orthodontic treatment does not happen in isolation from their dental health. Our doctors communicate, collaborate, and work together to customize dental and orthodontic treatment based on each patient’s oral development.
For patients who need both dental and orthodontic care, this means fewer offices, fewer referrals, and a team that is on the same page about your child’s dental needs. The impact of integrated care is a benefit family’s feel almost immediately.
Your first orthodontic consultation with Dr. Speier is a conversation, not a commitment. She will complete a thorough exam, review radiographs and use the iTero scanner to get a clear picture of your teeth and bite. She will walk you through what she sees, explain your options honestly, and give you the information you need to make a decision that feels right for your family.
There is no pressure and no rush. Dr. Speier believes that an informed patient makes the best patient, and she will take whatever time you need.
If you are searching for an orthodontic care for your child, teen, or yourself in the Dayton area, we would love to meet you. Dr. Speier combines clinical expertise with a warm, unhurried approach that makes the orthodontic journey something our patients look forward to.
