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Braces in San Diego

Metal braces for straighter teeth

Crooked teeth can not only cause cosmetic issues for a patient but may also affect the bite, causing headaches, sleep difficulties and other problems. While it is usually best to address these issues in the patient’s childhood or teens, clients of any age may seek out adjustment for the appearance and functioning of their teeth, as embarrassment over one’s smile may cause undue social stress and withdrawal.

Dental braces are one of the many orthodontic treatments performed at Soft Touch Dental. Braces are commonly used to correct teeth alignment. Braces help to move teeth slowly in a desired direction and stay set in a particular position. Braces also help improve oral health apart from helping you achieve a straighter smile!

When do you need dental braces?

People with uneven teeth alignment are most often recommended braces. Other instances in which someone would require braces:

  • Too much spacing between teeth
  • Crooked teeth
  • Poor or uneven bite

Modern braces are smaller, cause less gum irritation than their predecessors and offer a pain-free experience. Moreover, braces can be more cost-effective than Invisalign. At Soft Touch Dental, we prepare customizable braces in a wide range of colors. These are some of the reasons that patients consider Dr. Fakhimi a premier provider for braces in San Diego.

Traditional metal braces

Metal braces are made of the highest quality titanium or stainless steel, and are comprised of brackets, bracket glue, archwires, and elastic bands. This style of braces is the most popular and cost-effective and takes the least amount of time to work.

Clear braces

Braces can be made from transparent materials, or from tooth-colored materials so as to appear less noticeable. This may be a primary concern for teenagers who don’t want to look like they’re wearing braces. Clear braces are just as effective as metal ones, although the cost may be slightly higher and treatment time may be extended.

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What is the youngest age a child can receive braces?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children can begin seeing an orthodontist at about age 7. This aged child will typically have both baby teeth and adult teeth, which will give the orthodontist a clear picture of the problems he or she will encounter in terms of both the teeth and the jaw. Early diagnosis can save a child from more involved procedures such as surgery or extraction.

By diagnosing dental issues early, the orthodontist can help assist the adult teeth to come in straight, widen arches that are too narrow, help guard against overcrowding of the teeth, prevent thumb sucking, and improve speech.

Some signs that your child may need to see an orthodontist are:

  • Losing baby teeth too early or too late
  • Difficulty with chewing and biting
  • Difficulty breathing through the nose or the mouth
  • Thumb sucking
  • Overcrowded teeth
  • Teeth that are blocked from descending
  • Locked, popping or otherwise noisy jaw
  • Gaps in teeth
  • Teeth too close together
  • Disproportionately sized teeth or jaw
  • Front teeth that stick out
  • Unexplained jaw or tooth pain

Catching your child’s dental issues early is the key to providing them with a beautiful, healthy smile for the rest of their lives. Contact Soft Touch Dental today to speak with an orthodontist in San Diego about your child’s teeth and what he can do to provide solutions.

Braces FAQ

What are Braces?

Braces are a standard orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth, close gaps, or resolve overbite, underbite, or crossbite. While there are many types of braces available, traditional metal braces and Invisalign aligners are very popular. Traditional metal braces are very effective and affordable. These braces may be the most effective way to resolve more serious alignment problems that cannot be treated with clear aligners. Dr. Fakhimi will be able to recommend which type of braces will be most suitable to correct your specific problem.

Why are Braces Used?

Braces are used in order to move crooked or poorly aligned teeth into alignment. Crowded teeth are quite difficult to clean properly. Correcting malocclusion makes it possible to clean your teeth properly and avoid the development of decay where teeth are too close, crossed, or out of alignment. If your teeth are not correctly aligned, you may feel embarrassed about how they look. Using braces to align your teeth can help you smile with confidence.

What is Malocclusion?

Malocclusion is a dental term for imperfectly positioned teeth. A malocclusion refers to teeth that are crooked, crowded, or gapped, or with an irregularity in the way the upper and lower jaws meet such as overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Crooked teeth, crossed teeth, or crowded teeth are prone to decay, as they are far harder to clean. Certain malocclusions can lead to difficulties chewing, swallowing, or speaking normally. Braces will move the teeth or jaw into the correct position.

What is a Crossbite?

When your upper teeth and lower teeth do not meet properly, it is called “crossbite.” A crossbite can be in several forms, including:

  • Lower teeth that extend past the edges of your upper teeth
  • Midline issues (when the line between front teeth and bottom teeth are misaligned)
  • An offset of the upper and lower jaw so that one is to the side of the other

In addition to affecting the appearance of the teeth, lips, or mouth, a crossbite can cause pain or discomfort when chewing, speaking, or sleeping, and symptoms such as headaches, TMJ, grinding of the teeth, tooth decay, or periodontitis. It can also cause the bones of the face and jaw to develop improperly. When caught early enough, a crossbite can often be corrected with braces.

What Can I Expect When Getting Braces?

The first step in getting metal braces is a professional teeth cleaning. This is important as your braces will be in place for an extended period of time. Next, an adhesive will be applied to your teeth, so metal brackets can be placed. Once the brackets have adhered to your teeth, the arch wire will be threaded through the brackets and elastic used to secure them. The entire process requires one to two hours.

What Can I Expect Following Placement of My Braces?

Once your braces have been placed, it may take a little while for your mouth to get used to the feeling. Your tongue and lips may become slightly sore from contacting the metal brackets and wires. Your teeth may feel sensitive or ache in the early stages or in follow-up appointments when your braces are adjusted. Any discomfort is usually resolved within a week or so.

How Can I Care for my Teeth While I’m Wearing Braces?

Oral hygiene is particularly important while you’re wearing braces, since it is easier for food and debris to become lodged between your teeth or within the braces. You should maintain your typical routine of brushing twice daily and flossing your teeth at least once each day. You may want to consider investing in a specialized toothbrush to make it easier to clean hard-to-reach places around the wires and brackets.

How Long Will I Need to Wear Braces?

Each person who wears braces has a unique set of dental challenges that must be overcome during the course of treatment. The average person will wear braces for approximately two years. This, of course, can be longer or shorter based upon the condition of the patient. Dr. Fakhimi can advise you on how long you will need to wear the braces.

How Much do Braces Cost?

The type of braces you choose (or need) make a difference in cost. The most affordable option is typically metal braces, but Invisalign aligners are not significantly higher in cost than standard metal braces. At Soft Touch Dental, we offer financing plans to help you get the treatment you need with affordable payments.

Why choose Soft Touch Dental in San Diego for your braces?

Dr. Fakhimi has been delivering expert dental care for over 20 years and has become one of the most reputable and trusted providers in his community. He not only provides fabulous results with minimal pain, but also specializes in offering a stress-free patient experience that reduces anxiety and apprehension. There are not many doctors providing braces in San Diego that patients can trust more than Dr. Fakhimi. He is especially good at relating to teenagers and children, and has a thriving practice with clients of all ages.

Your braces are applied at our accredited, state-of-the-art dental facility where you will receive access to cutting edge software, equipment and technology, along with world-class care by his support staff. From our pleasant, climate-controlled reception area, to our comfortable, tranquil treatment rooms, we aim to make your visit relaxed and rewarding.

Setting up your free consultation

It never hurts to ask questions, so if you are interested in learning more about getting braces, simply schedule your free consultation at our San Diego orthodontist offices today. Dr. Fakhimi will set you right at ease, answering all your questions regarding the types and colors of braces that are possible, the cost, insurance coverage, pain management, follow up, results, risks and benefits, and many other topics.

During this initial session, the doctor will most like take x-rays, examine your teeth and ask you about your goals for treatment. He will introduce you to our extensive library of before and after photographs so you can get a clear idea of what to expect from braces cosmetically.

Rest assured that Dr. Fakhimi will make every effort possible to keep your treatment time with your braces to a minimum, and only correct what truly needs correction.

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