Orthodontic Treatment in Carson, CA

Dental Misalignment and Your Health

Having straight, white teeth can help you feel confident and proud in your smile. But your teeth are important for many other reasons besides looks.

A healthy smile is essential for your overall oral health. Crooked teeth can impair digestion, impede speaking, encourage further misalignment, and increase your chances of developing oral diseases such as gum disease and tooth decay.

Misaligned teeth aren’t just a detriment to your self esteem— they’re a threat to your overall health. Luckily, there are multiple methods for correcting dental misalignment. These procedures are part of a school of dentistry called orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic Treatment Methods

Orthodontic treatment involves correcting misaligned teeth with oral appliances that can restore proper function and structure to the teeth. Common methods of orthodontic treatment include:

Braces
Retainers
Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Each of these methods come with their own particular strengths, which is why it is imperative to consult a dental professional before deciding which is best for you.

What are Braces?

Braces are an orthodontic appliance made of metal brackets and wires. They work by gradually guiding your teeth into place. This appliance is professionally attached and worn non-stop until treatment is over. Metal braces are a traditional and trusted way to achieve straighter teeth.

Advantages of Braces

Traditional metal braces cannot be removed without professional help. This makes it impossible to lose them and helps ensure that your treatment plan stays on schedule.

Metal braces apply a large amount of force, which can help quickly produce drastic changes in your dental alignment. People with more serious cases of dental misalignment often need metal braces for significant results.

Metal braces tend to be within budget for many patients while being sturdy and efficient enough to be cost effective over time.

What are retainers?

Retainers are orthodontic appliances made of metal and plastic. They’re worn regularly on the top and bottom of your mouth to preserve the results of your treatment.

Advantages of Retainers

Without the use of retainers, you risk orthodontic relapse, in which your teeth shift back out of place. Retainers prevent the shift back to misalignment by helping your teeth and gums stay set in their new positions.

Removable retainers can be removed without professional help, making them easy to clean and allowing you to eat what you want without restriction. They can be safely stored away for situations where they may prove inconvenient or be likely to break, such as sporting events.

Permanent retainers stay in your mouth at all times, making it impossible to lose them. Because they can’t be removed without professional help, permanent retainers help keep your treatment plan on schedule.

Plastic retainers are discreet, allowing you to keep your teeth straight without drawing too much attention.

On average, retainers cost much less than regular braces, making them a highly affordable orthodontic treatment method.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign® clear aligners are an increasingly popular method of orthodontic treatment. They use SmartTrack® technology to gently guide teeth into place over time.

Advantages of Invisalign

The nearly invisible nature of Invisalign clear aligners is what makes them an attractive option to many patients. They are not easily seen by the naked eye, so friends and family won’t even notice you wearing them!

Results from wearing Invisalign clear aligners often show within a year to two years. Some patients report seeing results in as little as a few weeks.

Invisalign clear aligners can be removed easily and safely without professional help, making them ideal for sports and special occasions. This also makes them easy to clean.

Invisalign clear aligners are made of patented SmartTrack technology, which is strong enough to guide your teeth into place without causing much discomfort.

Because Invisalign clear aligners are removable, there aren’t any limits to what foods you can enjoy. You’ll remove your Invisalign clear aligners before you eat, drink something other than water, and clean your teeth.

Looking For A More Comfortable Way To Straighten Your Teeth? Try Invisalign Clear Aligners

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Frequently Asked Questions

Every patient has specific dental needs, which Dr. Aluning will take into account when she lays out your personalized treatment plan. She’ll discuss with you your dental goals, review your medical history, and help you pick the treatment that will work best for you.

When you begin a new orthodontic treatment of any kind, your mouth needs time to adjust. Pain, soreness, and discomfort is not uncommon, but shouldn’t last for more than a few days for treatments like retainers. and Invisalign. It may take up to one week for discomfort from braces to fade.

If you experience pain, soreness or discomfort that lasts for more than a few days with Invisalign and retainers, or more than a week with braces, call our office at (310) 549-5580 as soon as possible. We’ll do our best to assess your situation and resolve any issues you may be having.

Choose Dr. Aluning & Carson DentalCare For a Straighter Healthier Smile!

Orthodontic treatment is more effective the sooner it begins. Waiting for treatment can create and exacerbate oral health issues. The time to correct your dental misalignment is now.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Aluning at our Carson, CA office by dialing our office at (310) 549-5580 or filling out the contact form below. We look forward to helping you get on track to a straighter, healthier smile.

Love visiting Dr. Maria Aluning. She been taking care of my family and I’s teeth for years and years, even doing my braces. I love the results and service I always receive! And a bonus…she’s always keeping up with the latest technology! Highly recommend!

–Christine P.

Orthodontics in Carson, CA