Dental Braces La Jolla, CA
Misaligned teeth can affect everything from your self-confidence to your TMJ function. Crowded, crooked teeth also increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, not to mention premature enamel wear. At Harmony Dental Group, we offer dental braces in La Jolla to help you achieve the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve.
Quality braces
Straighten Your Teeth
Dental braces are a great way to straighten teeth and create a wonderful new smile. Schedule a consultation at Harmony Dental Group to discuss your orthodontic treatment options.
How do Dental Braces Work?
Traditional orthodontic systems use a series of brackets and wires to gently nudge your teeth into the preferred alignment. Depending on your unique bite, the wires may be adjusted or special bands incorporated to guide the alignment of your smile. The gentle pressure that’s applied guides each specific tooth into the prescribed location, enhancing overall bite alignment from one side to the other.
Who is a Candidate for Braces?
Anyone with healthy teeth and gums who has a “malocclusion” (misaligned bite) can benefit from traditional braces. We may recommend orthodontic treatment if you’re experiencing crowding, have an overbite, or struggle with gaps between your teeth. Orthodontic therapy is also considered part of a comprehensive treatment approach for people with periodontal disease.
Patients of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment, with the youngest patients starting as early as 7-8 years old depending on their tooth and jaw alignment. However, adults make excellent braces candidates too.
Complications Treated by Braces
- Overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites
- Gaps between teeth
- Crowding and misaligned teeth
- Aesthetic tooth alignment concerns
Benefits of Braces
- Improved Appearance: The confidence that comes from a straighter smile is priceless. Aesthetic treatments like smile makeovers are built upon a foundation of symmetry, and tooth alignment is key!
- Enhanced Oral Health: Statistically speaking, crowded and misaligned teeth are more prone to dental diseases like decay and periodontitis. Correcting your tooth alignment lowers your risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.
- TMJ Disorder and Oral Function: Correct tooth alignment allows for better jaw movement and function when eating, reducing the risk of TMJ issues or premature enamel wear.
To learn if dental braces may be right for you or your child schedule a complimentary consultation today.
The Process of Getting Braces: What to Expect
Your orthodontic treatment at Harmony Dental Group will begin with a consultation to determine if braces are right for you. At your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your oral health needs, how braces can help, the proposed timeline, and a treatment plan that outlines the costs involved. If you decide to get braces, we can typically apply them on the same day. Each orthodontic bracket is carefully bonded into place, and then an archwire is attached with a series of small bands. Younger patients tend to prefer colorful bands, while most adults opt for a more discreet version.
The first week after getting braces, your teeth may be a little sore. Over-the-counter medication such as Motrin (ibuprofen) can help ease any temporary discomfort.
Occasionally some patients will also need additional orthodontic appliances, such as expanders or space maintainers, depending on their specific oral anatomy.
To continue your tooth movement, be sure to keep your visits every 4-6 weeks when your orthodontic appliances will be adjusted. These visits are crucial to ensure the desired outcome in the proposed timeframe.
Type of Braces We Provide
Traditional Metal Braces
Most of our Harmony Dental Group orthodontic patients choose traditional brackets and wires for their treatment. These appliances are made out of hypoallergenic stainless steel, making them safe for everyone and every age. The majority of our younger patients enjoy accessorizing their braces with colorful bands to show off their school spirit or to celebrate the most recent holiday.
Clear Ceramic Braces
Clear or tooth-colored braces are a ceramic option that functions identically to traditional braces but without visible metal appliances. Ceramic braces are popular among our adult patients, as they’re more discreet when you speak and smile.
Friendly, Professional Orthodontist in La Jolla
Contact us today so our orthodontist can support you by answering any of your questions on orthodontics in La Jolla.
How Much do Braces Cost?
The price of braces in La Jolla will vary depending on the type of braces you’re getting and the length of treatment required. Harmony Dental Group will provide you with a detailed price estimate during your initial consultation, as well as a review of the convenient financing options we offer. Be sure to let us know if you have dental insurance, as we can check your benefits policy for included orthodontic coverage.
La Jolla Braces
Find out if dental braces are right for you and learn more about affordable payment options on all orthodontic treatments at Harmony Dental Group. Call our La Jolla office today to request a no-obligation consultation.
Questions Answered on This Page
- How do Dental Braces Work?
- Who is a Candidate for Braces?
- Complications Treated by Braces
- Benefits of Braces
- The Process of Getting Braces
- Type of Braces We Provide
- Braces FAQs
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
Most orthodontic treatments take 12-18 months to complete on average. However, some cases are simple enough to complete in 4-6 months, while others require up to 24 months from start to finish. Harmony Dental Group will provide you with an estimated timeframe during your initial consultation.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, when there’s a combination of both primary (baby) and permanent (adult) teeth. These early evaluations allow specialists and dentists to intercept potentially major tooth and jaw misalignment, reducing the need for surgical correction in the future.
Plan to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Be sure to brush above and below your brackets, paying close attention to the gumlines. Then clean between your brackets with a proxy brush or interdental brush. Use a floss threader or water flosser to clean between teeth daily, where brushing doesn’t reach.
Yes. Regular dental exams and cleanings are essential during orthodontic treatment, as it may be difficult to reach some areas throughout your mouth. Some braces patients benefit from cleanings every 3-4 months instead of every six.
Yes. If you’re involved in sports, we recommend wearing an over-the-counter athletic mouthguard to safeguard your lips, cheeks, and teeth. This will also reduce any risk of soft tissue trauma during athletic injuries. For musicians, we recommend planning your orthodontic visits around important ensembles, try-outs, concerns, and contests, as adjustments may affect your embeshire.
Most orthodontic patients will need a check-in visit for an adjustment every six weeks or so. These visits are essential to keeping your tooth alignment on track, so always plan to keep your appointments to avoid treatment delays.
Definition of common braces terminology
Braces: Fixed orthodontic appliances, usually made of ceramic or metal, and consisting of brackets and wire designed to align teeth.
Brackets: The tiny metal, ceramic or clear plastic supports that are affixed to each individual tooth on the arch.
TMJ: Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders are conditions affecting the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments.
Expander: An orthodontic appliance that can widen the jaws.
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.
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.
Orthodontist: A dentist who has been specially trained to do orthodontics.
The Harmony Dental Group Experience
- Highest Level of Dental Care
- Friendly and Caring Staff
- Affordable Financing Options
- Personalized Dental Services
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!.
Book Your Free Consultation Today
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 (Braces) | Glossary of Dental Terms. (ADA)
