Comprehensive Orange County Orthodontic Treatment in Fullerton CA
Orthodontics is the field of dentistry designed to treat the misalignment of teeth. Misalignment (malocclusion) is not only treatable, but it is also preventable. At Brian Ley, DDS, we offer a complete line of advanced orthodontic services for adults, teens, and children.
Before beginning orthodontic care for you or your child, we will discuss all your options and provide you with a detailed treatment plan. Dr. Brian Ley strives to achieve excellent orthodontic results to families in Fullerton, La Habra, Anaheim, and all surrounding neighborhoods. Call us today and schedule your visit!
CALL US: (714) 725-7425 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
Accomplish Your Smile Goals
As much as we focus on improving the look of your smile, we put great emphasis on the health and function of your teeth. Dr. Ley will straighten all your teeth including molars to ensure proper bite function and alignment.
Before discussing your options, we will examine your dentition thoroughly. We tailor your treatment plan around your needs to deliver the best functional and aesthetic results possible. Together, you and Dr. Ley will explore the pros and cons of qualified treatment plans.
Our Exceptional Orthodontic Services
Misaligned teeth create areas that are difficult to reach with your toothbrush, which may result in tooth decay and gum disease. Improper biting and chewing can negatively affect digestion. These issues demonstrate how critical orthodontic care is for both your oral health and your overall well-being.
At Brian Ley, DDS, we provide you with various treatments, all under the same roof. In some cases, successful orthodontic treatment may require other procedures before starting. If your situation requires a tooth extraction or you have missing teeth, we will correct these issues first. We place and restore implants and treat any damaged teeth. Dr. Ley has extensive training in aesthetic and restorative dentistry. He can perform this procedure and others at our practice, avoiding the need to send you to an outside specialist.
Our outstanding orthodontic services include:
- Palate Expanders
- Retention Appliances
- Orthodontics for Children
- Labial Frenectomy
What Is A Labial Frenectomy?
A labial frenum attaches the lips to the gum above the top two front teeth and below the bottom two front teeth. If the frenum stretches far down near the gum line, it might interfere with the growth and space between the upper two front teeth, resulting in a huge gap.
A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure that resolves the issue of a large gap between the upper two front teeth. It prevents these two teeth from pushing adjacent teeth away from their natural position.
7 Top Reasons You or Your Child Might Need Braces
There is more than one reason you might need braces. To discover if you qualify for orthodontic treatment, a consultation is necessary. However, below are seven signs you might need braces:
- Misplaced Adult Teeth – Alignment can be affected by genetics or poor oral health. Braces help move misplaced teeth into their correct position.
- Overbite and Underbite – When the lower and upper jaws are not aligned properly, your bite, speech, and facial features might all be severely impacted. Orthodontic appliances can help move the lower jaw to its proper position.
- Crossbite – This occurs when the upper jaw is too small, and the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. In addition to affecting the appearance, known side effects include jaw pain, uneven wear, inadequate chewing, and headaches.
- Open Bite – Prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, and tongue thrusting can cause the front teeth to project out and not meet the lower teeth, which affects speech and bite.
- Crowding – If teeth overlap, they push each other out of alignment. The tight spaces between them are more likely to trap food. This, in turn, causes bacteria and plaque, making teeth harder to clean and raises the risk of cavities.
- Crooked Teeth – Misaligned teeth are less effective in biting and chewing and may impact speech. Sever alignment issues can also cause teeth to wear down more quickly.
- Gaps and Spacing – From genetics to extracted or lost teeth, there are various causes behind gaps. Wide gaps can allow adjacent teeth to shift out of alignment.
How Orthodontic Treatment Works
Orthodontic appliances can be made of ceramic, plastic, or metal, and can be removable or fixed. These appliances are used to provide gentle and constant pressure to move teeth and modify jaw growth with precision. The length of treatment can be a few months to several years, depending on age, treatment method, and the severity of the situation.
At our practice, we provide treatment to realign your smile regardless of your age. Our skilled team believes that it's never too late or too early to get a straight, healthy smile to improve your oral and overall health. Children, teens, and adults can all enjoy the benefits of orthodontics. We consider patient education a key part of the process and make sure to explain the benefits of orthodontics in a way that suits varying age groups.
What Are the Steps of Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is made up of three stages. It is a highly predictable process to treat moderate to severe malocclusion. The three main treatment phases are:
- Step1: During the planning phase, Dr. Ley and our talented team provide you with a thorough initial exam using a digital camera and Panoramic x-rays. Then we will create a comprehensive plan tailored to your condition.
- Step 2: If you qualify, we will recommend suitable orthodontic devices to help align your teeth gently and help you achieve your straightening goal.
- Step 3: This is the final and most critical stage of treatment. We will provide you with a customized retainer to prevent your teeth from moving back to their original positions. The retention phase ensures the success of your orthodontic treatment.
Top Orthodontic Treatments We Provide
Traditional Braces - For more severe orthodontic issues, traditional metal braces offer the most benefit. This method involves affixing metal brackets to the surface of each tooth and using metal wiring and rubber bands to guide teeth into proper uniformity. This option offers better control over the alignment process, as each bracket and the wires can be adjusted for optimal results.
Ceramic Braces – A common alternative to traditional braces, ceramic braces have the same design, but are less noticeable. Made of ceramic or porcelain, the brackets resemble the natural color of your teeth, blending in beautifully with your smile. They provide a great way to straighten your teeth discreetly.
Invisalign Clear Aligners - We provide removable and less noticeable orthodontic choices. Invisalign clear aligners use a series of custom-designed trays that gently shift mildly crooked teeth into uniformity. When worn for 22 hours a day, you can expect results in about a year. This option also provides more comfort and convenience during treatment. The trays are comfortable and can be removed for eating, drinking, or special occasions.
Retainers - Usually made of wires or clear plastic, retainers are custom-made devices used during the final phase of orthodontic treatment. Once your treatment is done, and your teeth are straight, there is still a risk of relapse. Retainers hold teeth in their new, correct position. They help the surrounding periodontal fibers to adapt to the changes.
Palate Expander – This is a fixed device most commonly used for children with crowding. When the upper jaw is too small to hold all the developing teeth, a palate expander will gradually move the cartilage in the upper jaw to widen it. It works best for children and preteens because their jawbones are not fully developed. An expander might be the only treatment your child needs, or it could be the first step in the orthodontic treatment.
Space Maintainer - A spacer can be removable or fixed in place. When a child loses a molar, a space maintainer keeps the space between the two adjacent teeth open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt into its proper position.
When to Start Orthodontic Treatment for Your Child
You can start orthodontic treatment at any age. However, there is an optimal developmental stage to begin treatment. Based on the recommendation of the American Association of Orthodontists, a child should have an orthodontic evaluation at the first sign of problems or no later than seven years old.
If you feel your child might benefit from orthodontic treatment, Dr. Ley is happy to evaluate your child and ensure the best results if orthodontics is needed!
A Full Suite of Alignment Options
We understand that not every straightening method works for everyone, which is why we offer plenty of options for correcting your smile or your child's smile. In addition to improving aesthetics, our goal is to reduce the risk of jaw pain, decay, or chipped teeth.
Dr. Ley and his team have the extensive training and expertise needed to address all these issues and provide treatment and preventive care for the whole family. Our practice is in Fullerton off Chapman Ave, near State College street. If you live in Fullerton, Anaheim, La Habra, or any of the surrounding communities, call us and visit today!
CALL US: (714) 725-7425 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
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