Orthodontics Create Beautiful Smiles
Are you ready to have a beautiful smile? Our Coast Dental orthodontists have been creating beautiful smiles for kids, teenagers, and adults for a long time – since 1977, to be exact. We can correct almost any orthodontic problem including:
- Crowding
- Crossbite
- Open bite
- Protruding teeth
- Teeth in the wrong place
- Gaps between teeth
- Jaw misalignment
Orthodontic Treatment for Children, Teenagers, and Adults
Did you know that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children visit an orthodontist by age seven? Early orthodontic treatment, which is also called Phase I Treatment, helps guide the new permanent teeth into proper position. Early treatment can help save time and money by shortening the amount of time the child may need braces later.
And while getting braces may be a rite of passage for teenagers, more children are getting braces between the ages of 10 and 12. Our Coast Dental orthodontist will discuss the best timing for your child, based on his or her needs.
Our orthodontists are also skilled at orthodontic treatment for adults. It’s never too late to have a beautiful smile, and there are many aesthetic options including clear-bracket braces and invisible, removable aligners available.
Your First Visit with a Coast Dental Orthodontist
Coast Dental is pleased to offer complimentary orthodontic consultations to our patients. You read that right: there is no cost to see the orthodontist for your initial examination.
During your free ortho consultation, the orthodontist will:
- Review your health history with you
- Check your teeth, gums, and bite
- Checking for popping and clicking of the jaw
- Identify existing and potential orthodontic issues, including any impact on speech
- Determine if a panoramic x-ray is needed
- Determine if extractions or other pre-treatments are necessary
- Answer your questions about your treatment options, how long treatment will take, and how much it will cost
Coast Dental works with just about every dental insurance carrier and will let you know if there are any out-of-pocket costs for x-rays, intraoral pictures, or dental records. If you do not have insurance, we invite you to enjoy our special offer pricing on braces and Invisalign®, which includes these services.
Ready to get started?
How Braces Work
In this modern age, it’s easier than ever to have the smile you desire. If you have crooked teeth or teeth that just don’t seem to line up correctly, then call a Coast Dental orthodontist today at 1-800-32-SMILE.
One of the first questions many patients ask is, “How do braces work?” The answer is simple. Braces work by applying gentle pressure on the teeth to slowly move them into the proper position over a period of time.
Braces are made up of these common elements:
- Brackets: these are the small squares that the orthodontist will attach to the front of each tooth.
- Arch wires: the orthodontist threads one wire through the brackets on the top teeth (called the top arch) and one through the brackets on the bottom teeth (called the bottom arch). The shape of the wire applies the gentle pressure to the teeth to guide their movement.
- Orthodontic bands: these are wrapped around some or all of the molars to provide an anchor for the brackets. In some cases, the orthodontist may place spacers in-between teeth first to create room for the bands.
- Ties: these small rubber rings fasten the arch wire to the brackets. Many of our patients like to choose their favorite color, but they can also be clear.
- Buccal tubes: these are placed on the band of the last tooth to hold the end of the arch wire in place. Buccal means “cheekside,” so you wouldn’t want the wire rubbing against the cheek without this protection.
In addition to these common elements, the orthodontist has other tools at his or her disposal to help braces work their best. For example, you may know somebody use needed headgear to move the upper molars in the back of the mouth. Other friends or classmates may have needed springs placed on the arch wires between brackets to open or close the spaces between teeth. The orthodontist can also use elastics or rubber bands that attach to hooks on the brackets in order to move the teeth and jaw into proper alignment.
The goal is to ensure the braces do their job and move the teeth where they need to be to give you a gorgeous smile.
How Braces Work: Watch These Videos
Anyone who has misaligned teeth or jaw problems should see an orthodontist to learn about treatment options. Some problems are evident in young children. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist at age 7.
Common Problems: 7-Year-Olds
Common Problems: Teens and Adults
Types of Dental Braces
When you think of dental braces, you may think of the traditional metal brackets and wires. However, technology has evolved so that there are many types of braces to choose from now. The type of braces that is best for you depends on the extent of treatment needed, how long you will need treatment, your lifestyle, and your budget.
Your orthodontist will tell you about the different types of braces that will work best for your diagnosis and answer any questions you have
Choose Your Look
Traditional Metal Braces
Gone are the days of “railroad track” smiles. Today’s metal braces use high-grade stainless steel brackets that can be customized with clear or colored bands. Children and teenagers in particular enjoy accessorizing their braces with bands that reflect their school colors, team colors, or simply their favorite colors. Metal braces are the most economical choice, and still the most popular type.
- High-grade stainless steel brackets
- Most economical choice
- Can customize with colored bands
Crystal Clear Braces
Clear bracket braces are our most aesthetic option, offering tooth-colored ceramic brackets that are nearly invisible against any tooth shade. They’re resistant to stains and odors, and have a smooth surface so they are very comfortable to wear.
Clear braces are very popular with people who do a lot of public speaking, such as teachers, sales representatives, and other professionals. Many people may not even notice that you’re wearing braces!
- Clear ceramic brackets
- Nearly invisible against any tooth shade
- Smooth surface
- Stain-resistant
- Odor-resistant
- Easy placement and debonding
Clear Combo Braces
A combination of clear brackets and metal brackets is an aesthetic, budget-friendly choice for many of our patients. In some cases, the orthodontist may place the tooth-colored “invisible” braces on your top teeth, and metal brackets on your bottom teeth. In other cases, the orthodontist may place the tooth-colored brackets on the front top teeth and the front bottom teeth, and use metal brackets for the teeth in the back that are not as visible when you smile. Your orthodontist will discuss which method is the best one for you so you can have an aesthetic and affordable smile while going through your orthodontic treatment.
- Clear ceramic brackets on top teeth
- Traditional metal brackets on bottom teeth
- Aesthetic, budget-friendly choice
Clear Aligners
Want straighter teeth but don’t want to get braces? Ask your Coast Dental orthodontist if clear aligners would work for you. Instead of applying brackets and wires to your teeth, your orthodontist will create a series of comfortable, lightweight aligners that you can remove to eat and brush your teeth. Each set of aligners is in a slightly different shape designed to gradually shift your teeth into proper alignment. Best of all, the thin plastic aligners are almost invisible to see, so most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
- Nearly-invisible aligners
- Smooth and comfortable
- Remove to eat, brush and floss
- No food restrictions
- Easy to clean
Invisalign®: The Clear Alternative to Braces
Would you like a beautiful, straight smile but don’t want to get braces? Invisalign® clear aligners may be the right choice for you. These clear, removable aligners gently move your teeth into a new position. They work best for mild cases; your Coast Dental orthodontist will let you know whether Invisalign® would work for you.
Why People Choose Invisalign®
More than 1.3 million people have chosen Invisalign® instead of braces for a variety of reasons. The biggest reason is aesthetics. Invisalign® aligners are clear, so most people won’t even know you are wearing them. That helps many people feel less self-conscious about their orthodontic treatment, especially people who do a lot of public speaking, such as teachers, sales representatives, and politicians.
Invisalign® aligners are also removable, so you take them out to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. That means you can eat anything you like. With braces, you have to avoid certain foods like bubble gum and popcorn that can damage the brackets and wires that are attached to the teeth.
There’s one other reason people choose Invisalign® over braces: they are very comfortable. Invisalign® aligners are thin, plastic trays similar to the ones you may use for at-home whitening. The trays are custom-made for you and only you, so they fit perfectly.
How Invisalign® Works
Invisalign® works by using a series of thin, clear, plastic trays that slip over your teeth. There are no brackets and no wires. Each set of aligners is shaped a little differently in order to shift the teeth from their original starting position into their final, perfect position, and you wear each set for about two weeks. You’ll have regular check-ups with your orthodontist to monitor your progress. Those check-up are usually about six weeks apart.
Our Coast Dental orthodontists are certified Invisalign® providers. That means they’ve had additional training to ensure they are experienced in Invisalign® treatment planning and execution. During your complimentary orthodontic consultation, your Coast Dental orthodontist will evaluate your dental needs and determine if Invisalign® is the right treatment for you.
Then, your orthodontist will take x-rays, pictures and impressions (molds) of your teeth, which Invisalign® will use to create a 3-D image of your smile. The orthodontist will design a customized treatment plan for you that details the shape of each set of aligners and how long each set should be worn. While every orthodontic case is different, Invisalign® treatment typically takes about a year for adults. Your Coast Dental orthodontist can tell you how long your particular treatment should take.
There’s one important item to point out: for Invisalign® to work properly, you must wear them exactly as prescribed. That means you wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day – basically all the time, except when you’re eating. The aligners need to physically touch your teeth for them to work.
How Much Does Invisalign® Cost
The cost of Invisalign® is slightly more expensive than the cost of braces. Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign® treatment just as they would cover other orthodontic treatments. Your Coast Dental dental office team can contact your dental insurance company to confirm your orthodontic benefits.
If you don’t have orthodontic dental insurance, ask your Coast Dental office if it has any special offers on Invisalign®. We often do.
Do have a Flexible Spending Account? You can also use those savings toward Invisalign® treatment!
Our Coast Dental team will work with you to see how you can have the smile you desire at a price that fits your family budget. The first step is to call us today at 1-800-32-SMILE to schedule your complimentary orthodontic consultation.
ClearCorrect™ Clear Aligners
Imagine having straighter teeth – without needing to get braces. ClearCorrect™ treatment includes a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth as you wear them. Call Coast Dental today to find out if ClearCorrect™ can give you a smile you love.
ClearCorrect™ aligners are practically invisible, so most people won’t even know you are wearing them. They’re custom-made so they fit you perfectly and are more comfortable than traditional braces. Plus, they’re removable, so you can eat whatever you like and clean your teeth normally.
How ClearCorrect™ Works
We invite you to call Coast Dental today to schedule a free ClearCorrect™ consultation. Our ClearCorrect™ provider will evaluate your smile and discuss the problems you’re having with your bite and how you would like your smile to look after treatment. Once it’s determined that ClearCorrect™ is right for you, our team will take photos, x-rays, and impressions of your teeth to create the customized aligners.
You wear each set of aligners for three weeks, typically for about 22 hours each day. You remove the aligners only to eat, brush, and floss. Each set of aligners applies gently pressure to your teeth to move them into alignment. How many sets of aligners you have depends on how much your teeth need to move in order to create proper alignment.
These before and after photos represent some common types of bite problems that were treated with ClearCorrect™ therapy. Images are courtesy of ClearCorrect™.
ClearCorrect™ Costs
The cost of your ClearCorrect™ treatment typically depends on three factors: the length of treatment, the number of clear aligners needed, and whether you have dental insurance benefits that cover ClearCorrect™. During your free orthodontic consultation, we will answer all of the questions you have, including questions about financing and any special offers that may be available to you. Many of our patients have low monthly payments instead of paying for the entire cost of ClearCorrect™ treatment at one time. We will be happy to discuss how you can fit the cost of orthodontic treatment into your family budget.
Orthodontic Financing Options
When our patients come in for their complimentary orthodontic consultation: they often want to know three things:
- Will braces or Invisalign help me?
- How long will my treatment take?
- How much will braces cost?
Our Coast Dental team will make sure you know the answer to all three of these questions, plus any other questions you have, before you leave your first appointment.
How Much Do Braces Cost?
The cost of braces depends on several factors: the severity of the case, the type of treatment, and the length of treatment. Your out-of-pocket costs also depend on whether your health insurance or dental insurance will cover part of the cost.
You can pay for your orthodontic treatment or your child’s orthodontic treatment in a number of ways. For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards. We also accept more than 200 dental insurance plans, and will file claims for you.
Here are some of the ways you may find it easy to fit orthodontic treatment into your family budget:
- Your dental insurance policy may offer orthodontic benefits.
- You may be able to use the savings if you have a healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- CareCredit and other third-party financing companies offer low monthly payment plans to qualified applicants.*
- Special offers for patients without dental insurance
- Extended family and friends may contribute to a smile fund in lieu of birthday presents and holiday gifts
Having braces can change your life. We had one patient who was so embarrassed by her crooked teeth, she would hold her hand over her mouth. She worked from home because she didn’t want anyone to see her. After treatment, she couldn’t believe the difference. Having a beautiful, straight smile gave her the self-confidence she needed to apply for a new job, start dating, and change her life in a ways both big and small. Every patient’s reason for wanting braces is different; we look forward to hearing yours.
The first step is to come in for a complimentary orthodontic consultation so you can see how braces or Invisalign can help you. Our team will present you with all your options so you can make the best decision for you.
* Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Ask us for details.