Clear Aligners vs Braces
Fountain Valley, CA
 Orthodontics is the field of dentistry that seeks to correct improperly positioned teeth and jaws. Orthodontists receive two or three extra years of dental education in addition to their four years of dental school in an American Dental Association (ADA) approved orthodontic training program.
If your teeth are crooked, crowded, or don’t align properly, they become harder to clean and run the risk of developing tooth decay. They also cause unwanted stress on the chewing muscles that can cause headaches, TMJ disorders, and pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. If you receive orthodontic treatment, you’ll get healthier, long-lasting teeth and a more pleasing appearance.
When do People Need Orthodontic Treatment?
Dr. Bijan Modjtahedi will determine if you need orthodontic work done using a exam, a review of your medical and dental history, diagnostic tools, models of your teeth, and special x-rays and photographs. If you have any of the following conditions, you may need orthodontic treatment:
~ Overbites are where the front teeth in the upper jaw stick out over the lower front teeth.
~ Underbites are the opposite, when the lower front teeth stick out further than the upper front teeth.
~ Open bites are when a space is formed between the surfaces of the front or side teeth when you bite down.
~ Crossbites are a condition where the upper teeth don’t come down in front of the lower teeth properly when biting down.
~ Crowding occurs when the dental ridge has too many teeth.
~ Spacing happens when missing teeth cause spaces or gaps.
~ A misplaced midline is when the center of the upper teeth and the center of the lower teeth don’t line up properly.
What Kinds of Orthodontic Methods Are Available?
We offer both fixed and removable orthodontic appliances to reposition teeth and retrain muscles by exerting gentle pressure. The severity of your dental problems will determine which option is right for you.
Fixed Appliances
Fixed appliances include braces, fixed space maintainers, and special fixed appliances. Braces are the most common type of fixed appliances and consist of wires, bands, and brackets. They are adjusted monthly to get the teeth closer to the desired location. Fixed space maintainers are used to keep space open after a baby tooth is lost prematurely. Special fixed appliances are a less commonly used method to control tongue thrusting and thumb sucking.
Removable Appliances
We have several different kinds of removable appliances available, including aligners, palatal extenders, headgear, removable retainers, lip and cheek bumpers, jaw repositioning appliances, and removable space maintainers. Some of these devices are more visible than others, but they all apply gentle pressure to shift teeth into new positions and keep them there. Clear aligners are perhaps the most popular alternative to metal braces because they are almost completely transparent and invisible. Since you remove them to eat, brush, and floss, you can eat whatever you like during the treatment period. The appliance prescribed will depend on each patient’s individual case. Dr. Bijan Modjtahedi’s consultation with you will determine what your best option is.
For more information, please contact our office at (714) 421-4494.
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