Robert Taylor, DMD
Dr. Robert Taylor founded Taylor Family Orthodontics in 2008. He enjoys helping patients feel confident about their smiles and approaches each treatment plan with the same care he would give his own family. He takes time to understand each patient’s needs, explain their options, and answer questions. His goal is for patients to feel informed and comfortable throughout treatment.
Dr. Taylor has practiced orthodontics for 18 years and has completed more than 5,000 orthodontic cases involving braces and clear aligners. He has completed approximately 300 hours of continuing education in orthodontics and clear aligners, including advanced aligner training for complex cases.
Education And Experience
Dr. Taylor earned his dental degree from Harvard Dental School in 2005, where he received several high-achievement awards. He completed a one-year general dentistry residency at the University of Utah, where he performed advanced dental techniques, followed by an orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota. He completed his orthodontic residency in 2008.
Dr. Taylor completed his bachelor’s degree in business management at Brigham Young University, where he met his wife, Mandy, a pediatric nurse.
Orthodontic Treatment
Taylor Family Orthodontics offers traditional braces, clear braces, self-ligating braces, and clear aligner treatment, including Invisalign®. Dr. Taylor uses an in-person examination to recommend an approach. Many patients may be candidates for either braces or aligners, while certain bite or jaw concerns may make braces a better option. Braces can also provide more arch expansion for some patients.
Dr. Taylor explains that wires and the orthodontist’s treatment plan move teeth; the type of bracket alone does not determine tooth movement. Patients who prefer self-ligating braces can choose them. For clear braces, the practice uses Clarity Advanced clear brackets made by American Orthodontics.
Aligner treatment can be comfortable and convenient for some patients, and may be faster than braces in some cases. It also requires consistent wear: patients generally need to wear aligners 21 hours per day for predictable movement, particularly in complex cases. Aligner appointments are usually 10 to 12 weeks apart; braces appointments are usually every six to eight weeks.
Dr. Taylor provides bonded or permanent retainers, Hawley retainers, and clear Essix retainers. The right retainer depends on the patient’s bite and tooth alignment before treatment. Many patients receive a lower bonded retainer and an upper clear retainer to wear at night. Some minor settling can occur after treatment. Consistent retainer wear helps limit shifting; without it, teeth may move out of alignment.
Care For Children, Teens, And Adults
At an evaluation around age seven, Dr. Taylor checks whether permanent teeth are developing and positioned as expected, whether there is enough room for them to come in, and whether bite concerns may call for early attention. About 90% of the practice’s patients wait until their permanent teeth have come in — usually around ages 11 to 14 — to begin treatment. About 10% may benefit from early, or Phase 1, treatment.
He may recommend Phase 1 treatment when permanent teeth lack room to erupt or when significant bite concerns could affect jaw development. Treatment may focus on developing the jaws to create space or correcting bite discrepancies. For example, Dr. Taylor evaluates crossbites because they can contribute to uneven jaw development.
Adult treatment is especially rewarding for Dr. Taylor, though it can be more complex because adults are no longer growing. That can limit the changes orthodontic treatment can make; significant bite changes may require jaw surgery.
What To Expect
A new patient’s first visit begins with an X-ray and an examination by the orthodontist. Dr. Taylor then reviews treatment options or recommendations, answers questions, and discusses costs and payment options. He believes patient education is important to a good treatment experience.
Patients can provide their insurance information to the office, which can contact the insurer to verify benefits. New patients can call or text the office, whichever is more convenient.
Dr. Taylor’s approach is guided by the Golden Rule: treating people as he would want his own family to be treated. Patients often compliment his personal care, and Dr. Taylor wants patients to know that he and his team appreciate them and cares about their experience.
Personal Background
Dr. Taylor grew up in West Jordan, Utah, with a brother and two sisters. He spent summers working for his father’s roofing business, Aluminum Lock Roofing. The work taught him the value of hard work, and he says it helped him appreciate his career in orthodontics.
He enjoys basketball, golf, and fishing. He and Mandy have four children: Evan, Lily, Will, and Mia. After dental school in Boston and orthodontic residency in Minneapolis, they returned to Utah, where they enjoy the state’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation.