Orthodontics & Aligners
Orthodontics
Braces and bite correction for children, teenagers and adults.
Orthodontics moves teeth into better positions and corrects how the upper and lower jaws meet. That second part matters as much as the first: a bite that does not meet evenly wears teeth down unevenly, loads some teeth far harder than others, and can leave the jaw joint sore.
Fixed braces remain the most versatile tool we have. Because they are attached to the teeth, they work whether or not anyone remembers to wear anything, and they handle rotations and root movements that aligners find harder.
Children are usually worth assessing around age seven. Not to start treatment then, but because that is when a mismatch in jaw growth becomes visible while there is still growth left to guide. Most children assessed at seven need nothing yet, and knowing that is useful too.
Is this right for me?
- Teeth are crowded, protruding, or there is a crossbite, deep bite or open bite.
- Your child is around seven and you would like to know whether anything needs watching.
- Aligners were not suitable for your case, or you would rather not depend on wear time.
What to expect
Records and diagnosis
Photos, X-rays and a scan let us see the teeth, the roots and how the jaws relate. We explain what we see with the images in front of you.
Options and a plan
Braces, aligners, or waiting. Timeline, cost, and what each option can and cannot achieve — including when waiting is the right call.
Fitting
Brackets are bonded and the first wire placed. It takes about an hour and involves no injections.
Adjustments
Visits every few weeks to change wires and check progress. Cleaning matters more than usual during this period, and we will keep checking it.
Retention
Retainers hold the result. Teeth move for life, so retention is long term — usually nightly, indefinitely.
Your comfort
Teeth ache for a few days after fitting and after each adjustment. Soft food and over-the-counter pain relief cover it. Wax over a bracket that is rubbing helps a lot in the first week — we send you home with some.
Insurance and payment, sorted before you sit down
We take all PPO plans, Medi-Cal Dental and most Medicare Advantage dental plans, and we check your benefits before treatment so the estimate is in writing. If you need to spread the cost, we work with CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Apply for financing — Cherry Avenue Office
- CareCredit®Apply online in a few minutes. Decision is usually immediate.
- CherryApply on your phone. The pre-qualification check does not affect your credit score.
- SunbitApplied for at the front desk when you come in — takes a few minutes.
Questions patients ask
What age should my child be seen?
Around seven is the usual recommendation, because permanent molars and front teeth have come in and jaw relationships are visible. Most children need nothing at that point — it is an assessment, not a commitment.
Am I too old for braces?
No. Teeth move at any age as long as the gums and bone supporting them are healthy. What we check first is gum health, because moving teeth in an untreated gum condition makes it worse.
How long does treatment take?
It varies widely with what needs correcting. We give you an estimated range from your records at the consultation rather than a number over the phone.
What can I not eat with braces?
Hard and sticky things break brackets: ice, hard candy, nuts, caramel, and biting straight into apples or corn on the cob. Cut hard food into pieces instead and most of it is fine.
Will I need teeth removed?
Sometimes, when there is not enough room for the teeth to line up without pushing them out too far. Often not. We will show you the measurements behind the recommendation rather than asking you to take it on trust.
Related services
Thinking about Orthodontics?
Send a request and we'll call you back to find a time. You'll get a written estimate before anything is booked in the schedule.