At your first visit to our Oceanside orthodontist office, diagnostic records are made to determine the best course of treatment. Diagnostic records typically include photos of your face and teeth, as well as x-rays. We use this information to develop a custom treatment plan thats unique to your needs and goals. These records are also helpful in tracking the progress of your treatment as your teeth begin to move and shift into the optimal position.
No matter your age, we can help you get the smile youve always wanted. At Allen Orthodontics in Oceanside, we create custom treatment plans that fit your specific needs and smile goals. After all, adults need one level of attention and care while children need a completely different level. We understand this which is why were one of just a few San Diego County orthodontists that dont treat you like a case number, but rather as a person.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends every child see an orthodontist by the time theyre 7. After all, thats when theyre grown-up teeth start coming in. Early treatment allows Dr. Allen to correct and guide your childs jaw, create more space for crowded teeth, avoid the need for extractions later in life, and can correct thumb sucking and minor speech problems. If youre ever curious about whether or not your child needs to see an orthodontist, look out for these things: crowded or misplaced teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, or popping jaws. These are all signs that its probably time to see Dr. Allen.
In the 80s braces were heavy and painful. Today, braces come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors making life with braces easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish. In fact, there are several treatment options to choose from, including traditional metal, ceramic, and invisible braces. Treatment times can vary depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the show-stopping smile you want. Regardless of the type of braces you choose, it is important to avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods, as these may damage your braces and prolong your treatment time.
Orthodontic treatment isnt just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists cites that 1 in 5 orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. While some adults are getting treatment to look better, others are doing it for their overall oral health. Todays orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs, such as clear braces, self-ligating braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners. Remember, a straight smile isnt just beautiful; it will help you maintain the health of your teeth for your entire life.
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The purpose of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, esthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life. The goal of phase one treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and to improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth.
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are much less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than metal braces. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
At Allen Orthodontics in Oceanside, we are proud to offer our patients clear aligners to help them discover their true smile. Clear aligners, or invisible braces, are plastic trays custom made to fit your teeth. A patient is given a series of clear aligners that they will wear for a period of time. During that time, Dr. Allen will instruct you on when to switch to your next set of aligners. Each set of aligners gently and gradually adjust your teeth to their optimal position. One of the brand names of these types of clear aligners is called Invisalign.
Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell youre wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign. Dr. Allen has been a certified Invisalign provider for over 15 years.
With Invisalign Teen, you wont need to turn down any dates, wear a paper bag over your head, or hide out in your room for two years. Invisalign Teen clear aligners are a perfect fit for your lifestyle, because these aligners are clear, removable, super comfortable, and customized just for you.
With SureSmile, patients spend less time in treatment and make fewer visits to our San Diego County orthodontists office. The custom SureSmile archwire provides a smoother movement for a more comfortable experience than traditional braces.
Anyone who has worn braces will probably tell you that wire adjustments and changes were their least favorite part and most uncomfortable part of the process. Fortunately, the SureSmile system is engineered to maximize the therapeutic efficiency of each wire, significantly reducing the number of adjustments you need.
Instead of the doctor bending an archwire by hand, a SureSmile wire is custom-shaped by a robot. When the wire is inserted, each tooth moves directly to the prescribed position. Its this precise movement that enables such great results with shorter treatment time.
The palatal expander expands (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Your orthodontist will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.
Some retainers are removable. Some are glued in place. Both types hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. Dr. Allen will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and how long you have to wear your retainer. Remember: wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent the regression of your treatment.
