Orthodontics

Trusted Orthodontics for Straighter Smiles in Southern California

At Blessed Smile Dentistry, we’re dedicated to crafting radiant, healthy smiles for patients of all ages through our orthodontic services. We understand the transformative power of a confident smile and look forward to helping you and your children achieve one you’ll want to show off. Whether we’re helping a child with Phase I orthodontics or you’re getting minor misalignments fixed with Invisalign® clear braces, you can rest assured your family’s smiles are in skilled hands.

With four convenient offices located in Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Diamond Bar, and Yorba Linda, we make it easy for you to access reliable orthodontic care. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and experience the difference our orthodontic services can make in your life!

Phase I & Phase II Orthodontics

Early intervention plays a critical role in ensuring the healthy development of a child’s jaws and teeth. Our Phase I treatment, typically recommended for children between 6-10, focuses on guiding jaw growth, correcting crossbites, and preventing dental crowding or gaps. This early phase might involve using orthodontic expanders to widen the jaw or spacers to prepare for their permanent teeth to grow in. Partial braces may be used during this phase as well.

Phase II follows after most of a child’s permanent teeth erupt, generally around 12. This phase aims to position all teeth in an optimal alignment. A full set of braces or aligners is typically employed during this stage. Together, these phases lay a solid foundation for oral health and functional bites in adulthood.

Discreet Invisalign Clear Aligners

Invisalign clear aligners are excellent for patients looking for a discreet way to straighten their teeth. This innovative treatment consists of a series of custom-made, clear aligners that gently shift teeth into their desired position. Invisalign aligners are removable, which means you can eat, brush, and floss with ease. The convenience and discretion of Invisalign treatment make it popular among teens and adults who prefer avoiding metal brackets and wires. Additionally, clear aligners typically involve fewer visits to our office.

Our Traditional Braces

Traditional braces remain a cornerstone of orthodontic treatment and are known for their effectiveness in correcting complex tooth and jaw issues. Comprising brackets, bands, and archwires, our traditional braces are excellent for correcting a broad range of misalignment issues.

Over the years, advancements in orthodontic materials and techniques have significantly improved the comfort and appearance of these braces, making them smaller, less conspicuous, and more efficient at moving teeth. Suitable for patients of all ages, traditional braces are a reliable solution for achieving a healthier, more attractive smile.

Orthodontics FAQs

What Do Orthodontics Involve?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry focused on correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws to improve function and aesthetics. Our skilled team treats various misalignment issues, from mild to more complex bite problems. Whether you get Invisalign clear braces or traditional braces or qualify for Six Month Smiles®, we’ll be there to monitor your progress every step of the way. Our goal with our orthodontic treatments is to streamline your care as much as possible, helping you fit the teeth straightening process into your lifestyle.

Do I Need Orthodontic Treatment?

If you’re experiencing issues such as crooked teeth, jaw pain, or difficulty chewing, orthodontic treatment may be your solution. Orthodontics can improve the appearance of your smile while also alleviating discomfort and improving the overall condition of your oral health. Common issues that can be corrected with orthodontic treatment include:

Malocclusion (bite misalignment)
Protruding teeth
Bruxism (tooth grinding)
Painful bite
Spaces between teeth

What Is Six Month Smiles and Am I a Good Candidate?

Six Month Smiles is an innovative orthodontic treatment designed to correct minor teeth misalignments quickly and effectively. This accelerated treatment option focuses on improving the appearance of your smile in a shorter time frame compared to traditional orthodontic methods. During your initial orthodontic consultation at our practice, our experienced team will evaluate your teeth and discuss whether Six Month Smiles suits your needs. Whether you’re dealing with crowding, spacing, or other minor alignment issues, Six Month Smiles may be the perfect solution for you.

Orthodontic Services For Your Dream Smile

At Blessed Smile Dentistry, we’re passionate about helping you achieve the straight, healthy smile you’ve always wanted. From providing you with a smile you’re excited to show off to improving your overall oral health, we’re proud of what our orthodontic services can do for you. We look forward to meeting you and learning how we can help you achieve the smile you deserve. Schedule your orthodontic consultation today and take the first step toward a lifetime of confident smiles!

Related Procedures

Orthodontic Treatment (Braces)

The benefits of orthodontic treatment often go beyond the obvious physical changes of an improved bite and straighter teeth; it’s also a great way to improve a person’s overall self-image. While having beautiful straight teeth is important, even more important is the need to alleviate any potential health problems associated with the teeth or jaw. Crooked teeth or jaw problems may contribute to improper cleaning of teeth, leading to tooth decay and, possibly, gum disease or total tooth loss. Orthodontic problems that go untreated can lead to chewing and digestion difficulties, speech impairments, and abnormal wear of tooth surfaces. Over time, excessive strain on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth can affect the jaw joints leading to problems such as headaches or face and neck pain.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children get an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7. Though orthodontic treatment can be done at any age, timely treatment ensures maximum dental health.

With all of the recent advancements in orthodontics, wearing braces has never been easier. State-of-the-art appliances and treatments are now available, from traditional metal braces, to clear and tooth colored brackets, to NASA type wires that are heat activated and require fewer adjustments! Some patients may even be candidates for treatment with Invisalign, a revolutionary way to straighten teeth using clear, retainer type aligners that require no braces or wires!

If treatment is necessary, we will thoroughly discuss which treatment option is best suited for you!

Reasons for orthodontic treatment (braces) adults & children:

Breathing or swallowing problems – Mouth breathing can lead to snoring and sleep apnea.
Crossbite – One or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth (towards the tongue).
Crowding – Involving extra teeth or malpositioned teeth.
Deep Overbite – The lower front teeth bite into the upper tissue of the upper teeth.
Disfiguring of the face & mouth – Affects the development of the jaw and position of the teeth.
Jaw & jaw joint pain
Missing or extra teeth – Due to tooth decay, injuries, or inherited problems.
Overjet (protruding upper teeth) – Upper teeth that protrude beyond normal and are usually associated with a short lower jaw.
Self-image – An attractive smile can boost a person’s self-image and confidence.
Spacing between teeth – Teeth are missing or may be too small or too large.
Speech, chewing or biting problems
Underbite (lower jaw protrusion) – Lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw.

Specific to children:

Finger or thumb sucking – These habits can cause protrusion of the upper incisor teeth, and mouth breathing.
Teeth erupting out of position – Can be guided to proper alignment.

What does orthodontic treatment involve?

Orthodontic treatment involves three phases:

1. Planning Phase – Your first couple of visits may include the following:

A medical and dental history evaluation.
Castings or “molds” of your teeth.
Computer generated photograph of the head and neck that will aid in planning.
Photographs of your face and mouth.
X-rays of the teeth and jaws.

After careful planning, your orthodontist will design and apply braces or fabricate custom-made appliances for you.

2. Active Phase – Active treatment involves visiting your orthodontist on a regular basis for adjustments and following specific treatment requirements to ensure successful treatment.

3. Retention Phase – When treatment is completed, the braces and/or appliances are removed and a new appliance is made. Usually these retainers are removable and will maintain the changes made to your teeth if worn continuously until the teeth and bone are stabilized in their new positions.

Treatment and retention times vary depending on each individual case. Your orthodontist will ensure you have a successful treatment for a beautiful smile that can last a lifetime.

Orthodontics can not only help straighten your teeth, giving you an appealing smile, but can greatly contribute to the health of your jaw, teeth and sometimes your overall health.

Invisalign®

One of the primary concerns people often have about dental braces is the aesthetic impact of the metalwork on their smile. Especially for adults, the prospect of wearing unattractive metal braces for long periods of time can be very discouraging. Invisalign® offers an almost invisible aligning system that straightens teeth fast and contains no metal.

Invisalign® treatment consists of a series of custom-made aligning trays. The dentist changes the trays every several weeks to fit the new tooth configuration. In addition to the reduced visual impact, Invisalign® aligning trays can be temporarily removed for important occasions – meaning that treatment duration is patient-controlled. A great number of people report complete satisfaction with both the Invisalign® treatment and the stunning results.

What kind of bite problems can Invisalign® correct?

Invisalign® corrects the same dental problems as traditional metal braces; the only difference is that Invisalign® trays are almost invisible to the naked eye, and can be removed at will.

Here are some problems that are commonly corrected with Invisalign®:

Overcrowding – This occurs when there is too little space for the teeth to align normally in the mouth. Overcrowding can cause tooth decay and increase the likelihood of gum disease.
Large gaps between teeth – This can sometimes occur because teeth are missing or because the jaw continues to grow abnormally.
Crossbite – This common dental problem occurs when one or multiple upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. As a consequence, uneven wear can lead to bone erosion and gum disease.
Overbite – This problem occurs when the upper teeth project further than, or completely cover, the lower teeth. Eventually, jaw pain and TMJ may occur.
Underbite – This is the inverse of the overbite; the lower teeth project further than, or completely cover, the upper teeth. Eventually, jaw pain and TMJ can occur.

What advantages does Invisalign® offer over traditional braces and veneers?

Traditional dental braces, Invisalign® aligning trays, and dental veneers are three different ways to perfect the alignment of the teeth. There are many different considerations to make when deciding which treatment will be best, and each of these options works better in certain situations.

Invisalign® differs from traditional braces in that the aligning trays are fully removable. This means that more discipline and commitment is required from the patient. This is not usually a problem since the trays are comfortable and nearly invisible. Almost identical results can be obtained by using either treatment.

Invisalign® is preferable to veneers in many cases because unlike veneers, Invisalign® actually straightens the teeth. Veneers are thin covers that the dentist permanently affixes to the teeth. Teeth must be etched beforehand, meaning that to remove dental veneers, an alternative covering must be constructed. In addition to being somewhat expensive, veneers can break and often last for less than 20 years.

What does Invisalign® treatment involve?

First, the dentist needs to devise an initial treatment plan before creating the special aligning trays. Three-dimensional digital images are taken of the entire jaw. These images allow the dentist to move specific teeth on the screen, view the jaw from different angles, and also foresee what the face might look like in years to come. In essence, this technology can show how Invisalign® trays will change the facial aesthetics.

Once planning is complete, a unique set of aligners is made. The total amount of aligners required varies with each individual case, but 20-29 sets per arch is typical.

What are some considerations when wearing Invisalign® trays?

Life with Invisalign® aligning trays may take several weeks to get used to. The trays should be worn constantly, except when eating and drinking. It is important to remove the trays when consuming food or drink because food can become trapped between the tray and the teeth, causing tooth decay.

Usually, new trays are necessary every two weeks, and progress between appointments can be seen with the naked eye. There is no doubt that Invisalign® aligning trays have revolutionized orthodontics. Invisalign® is renowned for being both comfortable and effective.

If you have questions about Invisalign®, please contact our office.

6 Month Smiles®

Now, more than ever, patients are concerned about issues beyond the health of their teeth; namely, they’re troubled about the aesthetic appearance of their smiles. While metal braces seem unpleasant and alternatives are expensive, 6 Month Smiles^® is the innovative orthodontic solution that helps you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted, often in less time and with lower costs.

6 Month Smiles^® is the ideal solution for adults who are insecure about the appearance of their smile. This orthodontic treatment utilizes shape-memory wires that are engineered to provide exceptional results without unsightly metal braces or having to destroy your natural teeth for the placement of veneers. With clear brackets and tooth-colored wires, the 6 Month Smiles® system is nearly invisible while it restores your confidence.

Benefits of the 6 Month Smiles^®system

Some of the benefits of 6 Month Smiles^® include:

Most patients only undergo treatment for 6 months.
Treatment is virtually invisible with clear brackets and tooth-colored wires, providing a discreet alternative to unsightly metal braces.
Patented, shape-memory wires move teeth faster than traditional braces or aligner therapy solutions like Invisalign^®.
Patented tray kits allow for quick and painless application.
Your resulting straighter smiles allows for better oral hygiene.

What does treatment involve?

At your initial consultation, our 6 Month Smiles^® certified doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate. After you have decided to pursue treatment, molds of your teeth will be taken and sent to the 6 Month Smiles® laboratory. The 6 Month Smiles^® lab technicians will manufacture bonding trays, custom-fit to your teeth and sends them back to our office within two weeks. We will then schedule a follow-up appointment, during which the dentist will apply your braces.

You will be required to schedule monthly appointments, so the dentist can adjust your braces to advance the straightening process. Within 4 to 9 months, treatment is finished, with most cases requiring only 6 months of treatment. Upon removing your braces, we will discuss retention options with you, so you can choose a suitable solution that helps maintain your newly straight smile.

If you think the 6 Month Smiles^® system could work for you, contact us at your convenience.