Meet Your Oxford Family Orthodontist
Dr. John B. Benton Jr., D.D.S.
Education
Dr. Benton has lived and practiced orthodontics in Calhoun County since 1985.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Louisiana State University and continued at LSU’s School of Dentistry, where he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery Degree and Certificate in Orthodontics.
Dr. Benton is board-certified and was the first orthodontist in Calhoun County to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He was also the first to bring the innovative Damon Braces System to Calhoun County.
Outside the Office
Dr. Benton is married to his wife, Judy Benton. They enjoy spending time with their children, their families, and their dog, Roux: Barry, Brittain (Brooklynn, Olivia, and Harrison), Andrew and CJ (Jordan and Benton), and Greg and Alina (Eloise).
Dr. Benton enjoys fishing around the world in such places as Alaska, Russia, the Amazon River, the Bahamas, Venezuela, Argentina, and in lakes throughout Alabama.
Dr. J. Barry Benton, D.M.D., M.S.D.
Education
Dr. Barry received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Furman University and went on to receive his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Dr. Barry continued his education at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry where he received his Certificate in Orthodontics and Master of Science in Dentistry. In the summer of 2016, Dr. Barry joined Dr. Benton (his father) at Designer Smiles by Benton.
Dr. Barry is board-certified and one of the youngest practicing orthodontists in the nation to be a Diplomate on the American Board of Orthodontics.
Outside the Office
Dr. Barry is married to Brittain Benton, and they have three children, Brooklynn, Olivia, and Harrison. Their family also enjoys their two pet cats, Emma and Mr. Whiskers, and their Goldendoodle, Teddy.
Dr. Barry enjoys fishing, serving alongside church family, computers and technology, cooking, and gardening. Dr. Barry also shares his love for baseball as a volunteer coach for a local high school baseball team.
Dr. Stephanie McElroy, D.M.D., M.S.
Education
Dr. Stephanie McElroy is delighted to be a part of the Braces by Benton orthodontic team. She attended the University of Louisville, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree before continuing at her alma mater to complete her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry.
For her orthodontic training, Dr. McElroy traveled west to the University of Oklahoma, where she earned her Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master of Science in Dentistry.
Outside the Office
Dr. McElroy is married to Dr. Hamrick McElroy, a general dentist and fellow University of Louisville School of Dentistry graduate. When they’re not sharing their passion for creating beautiful smiles, together they enjoy staying active outdoors, experimenting with new recipes, and traveling both home and abroad to experience different cultures, cuisines, and outdoor adventures.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. McElroy has a love for anything locally made, homegrown, or antique. You might just find her out on the hunt for the perfect jar of local honey or a unique vintage lamp!
Care For All Ages From Your Oxford Family Orthodontists
At Designer Smiles, we believe that everyone should be able to access quality orthodontic treatment and that everyone deserves a beautifully aligned smile. We are proud to offer a full range of orthodontic services, including braces and clear aligners, for children, teens, and adults at our offices in Oxford and Pell City.
Oxford Orthodontics for Children
In order to ensure that your child is as healthy as possible, it's important that their teeth and jaws are properly aligned, giving them a healthy bite. Many parents are surprised to learn that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children get an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.
By that age, your child's teeth have developed enough so that small problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth can be spotted while they still have some baby teeth. A check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine and that braces won't be necessary, or we may identify a potential problem and recommend that we monitor it. From there, we may begin treatment at a time that is appropriate for the child. In other cases, we may recommend early treatment.
Orthodontic Care for Oxford Teens
Early treatment allows our team to monitor your child's jaw growth and development, so we can catch and begin treating problems while they're still in the early stages. This can considerably reduce the length of treatment.
Teens often want to know, "How long will I be in braces?" There's no set answer, as each case is different, just like each smile is unique. We're always going to do everything that we can to ensure that your teen has their most beautiful, forever smile. Fortunately, today's braces are a big improvement over the ones that previous generations experienced. They're smaller, sleeker, and far more comfortable than ever before. They also come in a variety of styles, materials and colors.
In addition, teens also have more treatment options than ever before. In addition to traditional metal braces, teens can choose clear, ceramic braces, which work the same way as traditional braces but are designed to blend in with their teeth, giving a more subtle appearance. Also, if your teen wants a new smile with no wires whatsoever, they might consider treatment using clear aligners, such as Invisalign. Clear aligners straighten teeth gradually using a series of clear, removable trays that fit over the teeth.
Adult Orthodontics in Oxford
Orthodontic treatment isn't just for children and teens. More adults than ever are seeking beautiful, forever smiles through orthodontic treatment. Today, roughly 1-in-5 orthodontic patients are adults, so it's never too late to get that stunning smile that you've always wanted.
Many adults are choosing to receive treatment later in life because they understand how important it is to maintain their oral health, they want to feel better about their overall appearance, or both. We also see many adults who have received orthodontic treatment during their early years, but are in need of a "touch-up" to regain the smiles they once had.
At Designer Smiles, we recognize that children, teens, and adults will all have different dental needs and need different levels of attention and care. We work diligently with each patient to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for you in the most inviting environment.
Schedule a free consultation with us today to get started.