Orthodontic Treatment in La Jolla, CA
Harmony Dental Group offers comprehensive orthodontic treatment in La Jolla, CA for all ages. If you or your child has issues with crowded or crooked teeth, braces can improve both your oral health as well as your self-confidence. Investing in La Jolla orthodontics is a smart way to protect your smile and help you feel better about the way you look.
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A Straighter Smile Starts Today
Schedule a free no obligation consultation at Harmony Dental Group to discuss your orthodontic treatment options.
Do I Need Orthodontic Treatment?
Correcting your bite alignment can benefit everything from your risk of tooth decay and gum disease to the risk of injuries or embarrassment. Some of the situations when our La Jolla orthodontic provider recommends braces include:
- Crowding
- Crooked or rotated teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Open bites, underbites, overbites, and crossbites
- Overall misalignment
- TMJ issues
When teeth are properly aligned, they perform optimally. This reduces irregular wear patterns so that your teeth stay healthier, longer. In turn, it reduces strain on your TMJ and existing dental work. Best of all, properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, so they’re less likely to develop cavities and periodontal disease.
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
- Improved Confidence and Self-Esteem: The confidence of a straight, healthy smile is priceless. Many of us refrain from smiling when we feel embarrassed about the way our teeth look. Correcting your bite alignment can give you a new outlook on life, making you comfortable laughing in groups, posing in photos, and feeling happier in social settings. And when we smile more, people will instinctively think we’re friendlier and more fun to be around!
- Reduced Risk of TMJ Disorder: Misaligned teeth and jaws cause us to bite and chew our food abnormally, changing the way our jaw moves during meals. Over time, these discrepancies can lead to joint damage and TMJ disorder.
- Better Oral Hygiene: Crooked and crowded teeth tend to harbor more bacteria around them, even if we brush and floss routinely. Correcting their alignment improves plaque control, which in turn lowers our risk of developing cavities and periodontal infections. Some specialists even consider orthodontics to be part of a comprehensive care plan for managing periodontal disease.
- Reduced Enamel Wear: Teeth that don’t line up properly tend to have heavy pressure points where the enamel will wear down prematurely. These situations can also cause damage to dental work, leading to premature failure of dental fillings or crowns.
Contact our dental office today for a complimentary evaluation to determine the best orthodontic treatment for you or your child.
Common Orthodontic Treatments to Consider
Each type of orthodontic treatment offers its own advantages and purposes. Depending on your oral health, age, and personal preferences, one type of braces may be better for you than another. Knowing what your options are can help you feel more confident about addressing your tooth misalignment, especially if you already have questions about the process.
Types of Braces to Consider
Traditional Braces
Conventional bracket-and-wire braces are straightforward and effective, regardless of how simple or complex your orthodontic needs are. They can be used on patients of all ages and are extremely affordable
Clear (Ceramic) Braces
Tooth-colored braces are similar to traditional orthodontics, but they’re more subtle as they blend in with your smile. Most people won’t be able to see them during casual conversations.
Clear Aligners (Invisalign)
Treatments like Invisalign or other clear aligner systems use removable, transparent trays to straighten your teeth.
Orthodontic Appliances
Devices such as maxillary skeletal expanders (palatal expanders) or other orthognathic devices can help improve your orthodontic experience, improving spacing throughout your mouth and eliminating the need for surgical correction.
If you’re unhappy with your smile, schedule a consultation at Harmony Dental Group to discuss your orthodontic treatment options.
What is an Orthodontist?
Orthodontists are specialists who use external appliances to straighten teeth and correct malocclusions (misaligned jaws and teeth.) They spend an additional 2-3 years in a specialized residency program after four years of dental school.
What to Expect During Your Orthodontic Consultation
If you’re considering braces, your first encounter with an orthodontist will be a consultation and exam. During this visit, you’ll talk about your concerns, discuss your options, and ask questions about the orthodontic experience. In turn, our orthodontic provider will:
- Perform an exam
- Take photographs of your teeth and facial profile
- Take digital X-rays (including a panoramic or 3D CBCT scan)
- Scan or take impressions of your teeth
From there, you’ll receive a treatment plan that reviews your options, the proposed type of orthodontic therapy, and the time and costs involved. If you decide to get braces, we may be able to place your appliances on the very same day.
Cost of Orthodontic Treatment in La Jolla, CA
The price of braces or orthodontic therapy is dependent upon several different factors. Such as the type of braces you choose, the complexity of your treatment, and if you have insurance that covers a portion of your services. At Harmony Dental Group, we also offer flexible payment options that allow you to budget your treatment into low monthly increments, regardless of which type of braces you choose. Our treatment coordinators will review all of the costs with you so that you know exactly what to expect before committing to treatment.
Begin Your Orthodontic Journey in La Jolla, CA
Call Harmony Dental Group in La Jolla, CA today to reserve your orthodontic evaluation with our experienced care team. We’ll be happy to assist you on your journey to a healthier, more confident smile!
Questions Answered on This Page
- Do I Need Orthodontic Treatment?
- Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
- Common Orthodontic Treatments to Consider
- Types of Braces to Consider
- What is an Orthodontist?
- What to Expect During Your Orthodontic Consultation
Related Topics
The Harmony Dental Group Experience
- Flexible Appointment Times
- Friendly and Caring Staff
- Affordable Financing Options
- Personalized Dental Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It’s important to plan regular six-month checkups while you’re in braces. In fact, some people benefit from more frequent dental cleanings (every 3-4 months) because of the extra appliances that collect buildup throughout the day.
Specialists recommend that children receive their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7 when they have a combination of both adult and baby teeth. Early intervention allows for corrections while the jaws are still developing, reducing the need for corrective surgery later on. However, adults and teens also make excellent orthodontic candidates in most cases.
Orthodontists are specialists when it comes to correcting malocclusion issues, tooth misalignment, and other orthognathic bite concerns. They offer a wide variety of orthodontic treatments ranging from traditional braces and clear aligners to interceptive growth modification.
Definition of common dental fillings terminology
Crossbite: A malocclusion in which the upper back teeth bite inside or outside the lower back teeth, or the lower front teeth bite in front of the upper front teeth.
Open Bite: A condition in which the upper and lower teeth fail to come together. This type of malocclusion is generally classified as anterior or posterior.
Crowding: Crowding is the lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jaws.
Braces: Fixed orthodontic appliances, usually made of ceramic or metal, and consisting of brackets and wire designed to align teeth.
Orthodontist: A dentist who has been specially trained to do orthodontics.
Clear Aligner Trays: Clear aligners are transparent trays that are worn over teeth to move into proper alignment.
Hear From Our Patients
I had been searching for a good dentist before I found this one. Best experience with this dental office. Professional and trustworthy!
I had an emergency – crown fell out and Dr. Farid saved the day. She was excellent and I would highly recommend this Dental Group
Super friendly office with state of the art equipment that makes the process so much easier. I highly recommend!.
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The first step to a healthy mouth and the smile of your dreams
About our Dentistry
- CA (License #12035). View License Information
- Insurance: We work with most insurance providers including all PPO’s and Medicare
- No Insurance? No problem call (858) 550-8000 for more information
- Financing Options: We offer a wide range of dental financing options
- We serve patients from the following counties: San Diego
- We serve patients from the following cities: La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Del Mar, San Diego, University City and Clairmont
- Have Questions? Please feel free to contact us at (858) 550-8000
Helpful links: WebMD (Orthodontics) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)
