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Braces and Orthodontics in Santa Monica
Looking to straighten your teeth? You’ve got more options now than ever before. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, braces and clear aligners can help you feel more confident in your smile. In Santa Monica, we offer a variety of treatments from the classic metal braces to more subtle, barely-noticeable solutions.
What Is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is about more than just a nice-looking smile. It’s the process of correcting issues with the way your teeth and jaws fit together. Problems like crooked teeth, gaps, overbites, or underbites can affect how you eat, speak, or clean your teeth.
There are several tools we use to fix these problems:
- Metal Braces: Strong and reliable. These are what most people picture when they think of braces.
- Ceramic Braces: Work just like metal braces, but they blend in better with your teeth.
- Clear Aligners: Removable trays that are nearly invisible. Good for adults and teens who want something low-key.
- Lingual Braces: These go behind your teeth, so they’re hidden from view.
- Self-Ligating Braces: These use a clip instead of elastic bands, which may make them more comfortable and a bit faster.
Signs That You May Need Orthodontic Care
The following are typical signs that therapy could be necessary:
- Crowded or crooked teeth are difficult-to-clean surfaces that can cause decay or impair confidence and speech.
- Bite misalignment: Crossbites, underbites, and overbites can strain the jaw and cause teeth to wear down unevenly.
- Gaps Between Teeth: Missing teeth or abnormalities in the jaw can cause gaps that impair the look and function.
- Chewing and speaking difficulties might be caused by misplaced teeth or problems with the jaw.
- Clicking or jaw pain might be signs of a bite imbalance-related tension in the jaw joint.
- Excessive Tooth Wear: Misaligned teeth might have uneven surfaces that harm enamel over time.
Benefits of Getting Braces
Orthodontic treatment offers much more than just cosmetic improvements—it also boosts your overall oral health and quality of life.
Easy Cleaning
Improved Functionality
Confidence Boost
Long-Term Protection
What to Expect During Treatment
Here’s how it usually works:
- Consultation: We take a look at your teeth and talk about your options.
- Scans and X-rays: These help us build a plan that fits your needs.
- Getting Started: Braces or aligners are placed, and we give you instructions on how to care for them.
- Check-ins: You’ll come in every few weeks so we can make adjustments and keep things on track.
- Finishing Up: Once your teeth are in place, we’ll remove your braces or stop aligners.
- Retainers: To keep your results, you’ll wear a retainer as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on the kind of appliance, duration of treatment, and therapeutic complexity. Most clinics work with insurance coverage and offer various payment alternatives to make therapy affordable for families.
