Crowded, spaced, or misaligned teeth may affect how the upper and lower teeth meet. At Advanced Dental Concepts, we provide orthodontic care in Laguna Beach, CA, with care planned according to your bite, oral health, and alignment needs. Whether you are concerned about tooth position, your bite, or smile alignment, an evaluation can help determine the best treatment approach.
What Can Orthodontic Treatment Address?
Orthodontics focuses on tooth position and the relationship between the upper and lower teeth. Treatment may be considered for crooked, crowded, or widely spaced teeth as well as certain bite concerns, including an overbite, underbite, or crossbite.
Certain bite and alignment problems may affect oral function. In some cases, an abnormal bite may make biting or chewing more difficult. Speech difficulties can have several possible causes, however, and should not automatically be attributed to tooth alignment.
Orthodontic care may also be considered if you simply want to change the alignment of your smile. Treatment recommendations are based on the clinical findings and your individual goals.
Planning Orthodontic Treatment
Before recommending treatment, we evaluate tooth position, the way the upper and lower teeth come together, and the health of the teeth and gums. When clinically appropriate, we may use dental imaging, scans, or other records to evaluate tooth position and supporting structures.
We also assess oral health before tooth movement begins. Tooth decay, gum disease, or another condition may need attention before or during orthodontic care.
After the evaluation, we explain the findings and discuss appropriate options. Treatment type and timeline vary based on the tooth movements required and other individual factors.
Clear Aligner Treatment
Clear aligners use a planned series of removable appliances to gradually move teeth toward their intended positions. The aligners are designed according to the planned tooth movements and are changed in sequence as treatment progresses.
Because the aligners are removable, you can take them out for meals and routine brushing and flossing. They need to be worn according to the recommended schedule to support the planned tooth movement. Whether Invisalign is appropriate depends on your alignment or bite concerns, oral health, and other individual factors.
What to Expect During Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic tooth movement occurs gradually. Follow-up visits permit us to monitor how your teeth are responding and determine whether treatment is progressing as planned.
Good oral hygiene remains important throughout treatment. Removable aligners permit you to brush and floss without the appliance in place, while the aligners themselves also require regular cleaning and care.
Some pressure or temporary discomfort can occur as the teeth respond to orthodontic forces. Let us know if you experience persistent or unexpected symptoms so they can be evaluated.
Maintaining Alignment After Treatment
Retainers are commonly recommended after active orthodontic treatment to help maintain the new tooth positions. Teeth can shift over time, making retention an important part of maintaining treatment results.
The type of retainer and wearing schedule depend on your individual treatment plan. Follow-up visits also provide an opportunity to monitor tooth position and oral health after active treatment.
Orthodontic Care in Laguna Beach
Comprehensive dental services under one roof permit us to consider orthodontic treatment alongside other aspects of your oral health. Modern dental technology is also available when clinically appropriate to support evaluation and treatment planning.
We consider patient comfort throughout your visits. Massage dental chairs, noise-canceling headphones, and individual tablets are available for patients who would like additional comfort or distraction during appointments.
Our Laguna Beach office welcomes patients from Laguna Village, North Laguna, South Laguna, and Arch Beach Heights.
Discuss Your Orthodontic Options
If you are concerned about crowded or misaligned teeth, spacing, or the way your teeth come together, schedule an orthodontic evaluation at our Laguna Beach office. We can assess your teeth and bite, discuss your goals, and explain which treatment options may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Treatment depends on the type and extent of the alignment or bite concern, its effect on oral health or function, and your individual goals.
No. Suitability depends on the required tooth movements, oral health, and other clinical factors. We need an evaluation before recommending aligner treatment.
Treatment time varies according to the type and complexity of the orthodontic concern, the treatment method, and how the teeth respond to planned movement.
Retainers are commonly used after active treatment to help maintain tooth position. Wearing instructions depend on the individual treatment plan.
