Braces® in Woodland Hills, CA

Dental braces offer patients far more than just a straight and aesthetically pleasing smile. They play a vital role in maintaining excellent oral health. By addressing crooked or crowded teeth that are hard to clean properly, braces ensure better dental hygiene. Additionally, braces can effectively correct an improperly aligned jaw, providing relief from various issues like pain, accidental biting of the tongue or cheeks, speech difficulties, and chewing problems. For those experiencing TMJ pain, braces might prove to be a source of relief. So, don’t underestimate the benefits of dental braces—they can significantly enhance both your smile and overall oral well-being.

The demand for orthodontic treatment is extensive, offering patients a variety of brace options. For those looking to steer clear of traditional metal braces, alternatives like clear braces or lingual braces (which are placed behind the teeth) are available. Our team is enthusiastic about discussing the array of dental brace choices we provide, assisting in identifying the optimal fit for each patient.

As the American Association of Orthodontists recommends, patients should undergo a dental cleaning and checkup before receiving braces. It’s a good idea for patients to inquire with both their orthodontist and dentist about any necessary dental procedures that should be addressed beforehand. The patient might also require spacers between their rear molars about a week before the brackets and wires are placed. Ensuring outstanding oral health before and during the treatment period is of utmost importance.

During your first consultation, we’ll begin by creating impressions of the patient’s teeth and crafting a personalized treatment strategy. X-rays will also be taken to assess the potential impact of orthodontic procedures on the patient’s jaw and the neighboring tissue. Patients must communicate any ongoing medications or chronic conditions to our team during this initial consultation, as these factors can influence the treatment outcome. We highly encourage questions and aspire to ensure that patients benefit most from their treatment journey.

The process of fitting dental braces usually spans from 90 minutes to two hours, during which any potential discomfort is expected to be minimal. Patients are welcome to have a meal before their appointment, provided their teeth are meticulously brushed and flossed beforehand. To ensure a dry and comfortable environment, the dentist will insert a retractor into the patient’s mouth. A specialized adhesive will then be applied to each tooth, onto which a bracket will be affixed. Employing a specific light, the adhesive will be cured, after which an orthodontic wire will be threaded through the brackets. While this outlines the fundamental procedure, it’s important to note that the specifics can differ based on an individual’s treatment plan. To instill greater ease in the patient, our team will thoroughly explain each step during the process.

Subsequent appointments throughout the course of treatment tend to be significantly shorter, typically taking up less than 20 minutes. Throughout the treatment phase, maintaining a high level of diligence in terms of brushing, flossing, and attending dental checkups becomes crucial. These appointments serve the purpose of monitoring the patient’s progress and effecting any necessary modifications, which might involve tasks such as renewing the bands on the brackets.

While braces have traditionally been linked with teenagers, their popularity is steadily increasing among adults as well. Surprisingly, even individuals aged over 50 are opting for braces due to the tendency of bite irregularities and teeth misalignment to worsen with advancing age. It’s worth noting that as long as a patient maintains healthy teeth and gums, the advantages of dental braces are accessible irrespective of their age.

A suggested guideline suggests that children undergo an orthodontic assessment around 7. In cases where dental braces are deemed necessary, initiating treatment earlier proves advantageous, given the broader array of available treatment options. Since the jaws of children and teenagers are still in the growth phase, early intervention holds the potential to avert the necessity for more complex corrective procedures down the line.

Many parents often find themselves concerned about the potential impact of dental braces on their children’s participation in sports and various physical endeavors. Activities with minimal contact, like running, swimming, and dancing, pose no issues and remain entirely safe throughout orthodontic treatment. Nevertheless, for kids and teenagers actively engaged in more high-contact sports or those that involve a ball, it’s recommended that they use a mouthguard. Interestingly, there are specialized mouthguards explicitly designed to accommodate braces.