About Orthodontics

NOT JUST A COSMETIC SOLUTION

WHY ORTHODONTICS?

Nearly everyone can benefit from receiving orthodontic treatment

Orthodontics is a field of dentistry focused on teeth and jaw alignment using treatment such as braces, aligners, space maintainers, and other oral appliances. Orthodontic treatment can have many life-changing benefits:

Orthodontics can improve people's confidence in their appearance. 
Many people are insecure about their appearance because they have crooked teeth, spaces between teeth, or over- or under-bites. Braces and clear aligners can change lives by replacing that insecurity and allowing you to smile with confidence!

Orthodontics help save teeth.
Teeth that are crowded are more difficult to clean, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease, often leading to tooth loss or restorative treatment.

Orthodontics can help provide TMD relief.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) involves pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Symptoms can include jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing. Our orthodontist offers effective relief for TMD using custom-made occlusal guards, worn at night.

These guards are designed to:

  • Prevent Teeth Grinding: Minimizing damage to teeth and strain on the jaw.

  • Alleviate Jaw Pain: By reducing pressure on the jaw joint and muscles.

  • ​Promote Relaxation: Encouraging proper jaw alignment and muscle relaxation during sleep.

Orthodontics can save you money.
Yes, you read that right! Ortho treatment is an investment in your overall oral health. Treatment can save future dental expenses by minimizing the treatment resulting from disease, decay, and muscle pain mentioned above.

Young girl with long curly hair and braces smiling, sitting near brown plants and a brick sidewalk.
Group of nine diverse teenage girls standing side by side in front of a rustic metal garage door, smiling.
A young girl with curly blonde hair standing on a city sidewalk, smiling, with brick buildings and storefronts in the background.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED TREATMENT?

Your general dentist and Dr. Tran will help identify whether you are a good candidate for orthodontics. Typically, if you have any of the following, you will benefit from treatment. (Please note: "Bite" refers to the way your upper and lower teeth come together.)

Diagram of six types of misaligned teeth: Crooked teeth, crossbite, gap teeth, open bite, overbite, and underbite, with labels for each type.
  • Crowding - Teeth become crooked or overlap because there is not enough space for teeth in the arch of your mouth

  • Spacing - Gaps between teeth resulting from missing teeth, undersized teeth, oversized jaw, or a combination of these

  • Overbite - "Buck teeth" - Upper front teeth protrude because the upper jaw is too far forward, the lower jaw is too far back, the teeth grew in at an angle, or a combination of these

  • Deep Bite - Upper front teeth cover the lower teeth

  • Open Bite - Front or back teeth do not meet or overlap

  • Underbite - Lower teeth or jaw are too far forward from upper teeth

  • Misplaced Midline - Center of upper teeth don't line up with center of lower teeth