Orthodontics in Corona, CA
Kids' dental services are an essential part of ensuring your child achieves a beautiful, healthy smile. In some cases, our dentists may recommend orthodontics to help correct bite issues or teeth that are crowded or not straight. We understand orthodontics and development can raise a lot of questions. Our goal is to keep you informed and aware of the issues we treat, the types of orthodontics we offer, and when your child should get started.
What Orthodontic Issues Do You Treat?
The orthodontic issues your child can face vary and may include crooked, rotated, or crowded teeth and bite problems like overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Regardless of the issues your child may be experiencing, our experienced team will prescribe the proper orthodontic treatment and enable your child to enjoy a straight, beautiful smile for the rest of their lives.
Types of Orthodontics We Offer
All Smiles offers various orthodontic options in Corona, CA. We customize each treatment to meet your child's unique oral health needs, comfort levels, and even personal style. Our modern braces and clear aligners can help your child or teen achieve an aligned bite and a straighter smile.
Traditional Braces
We use traditional braces that bond to your teeth for an effective, reliable way to straighten your smile.
Invisalign®
Invisalign clear aligners are removable, and they provide a flexible, discreet option for orthodontic treatment.
Gentle Force
Our orthodontic appliances use gentle, consistent pressure to gradually guide your teeth into the correct position.
When Does My Child Need an Orthodontic Evaluation?
According to the American Association of Orthodontics, children should receive an orthodontic screening by the time they reach age seven.
At this stage, the jaws and teeth have typically developed sufficiently to allow our Corona orthodontists to determine whether any serious bite problems are present.
Phase I Orthodontic Treatment 
But don't worry; an early orthodontic evaluation doesn't necessarily mean your child will need braces! Interceptive orthodontics is an early treatment phase for younger kids whose teeth or jaws have functional issues. The purpose is to determine if your child can benefit from Phase I orthodontic treatment to create more space in their jaw for adult teeth to erupt normally.
Problems that we look for during this evaluation are jaw growth issues, alignment concerns, and bite problems like overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Phase I Orthodontic Appliances
Some of the orthodontic appliances we may prescribe during Phase I treatment are space maintainers, jaw expanders, and headgear. Our orthodontist may also recommend removing some baby teeth to create space in their jaw for adult teeth.
A significant benefit of Phase I orthodontics is that, in many cases, they simplify and shorten treatment times. If we don't see the need for treatment at this age, we will continue to monitor your child's jaw growth and the eruption of permanent teeth.
Phase II Comprehensive Orthodontics
Once all your child's permanent teeth have erupted, we can begin comprehensive orthodontic treatment, typically between ages 12 and 14. At this stage, we will address and treat all existing orthodontic problems.
Most children and adolescents who need comprehensive orthodontics require traditional braces on all of their permanent teeth. Treatment times vary depending on each child's unique needs but average between 18-24 months.
What Do Modern Braces Look Like?
Modern orthodontics can provide an array of options to help your child achieve a beautiful smile. In some instances, you may even be able to choose the color of your orthodontic appliances.
Wires are also much less noticeable than in the past, providing patients with increased self-confidence while undergoing treatment. Additionally, the latest technologies have made it possible to move teeth into the correct position much faster and more comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Invisalign® is an alternative to the conventional metal bracket and wire braces that repositions teeth using a series of clear plastic aligners that we design to work with your unique smile. Compared to metal braces, clear aligners are almost invisible because they’re made from a unique transparent polymer that is also molded to your teeth.
Each tray moves your teeth slowly towards the final result you will see in the original planning. Invisalign clear aligners are also comfortable and removable, so you can brush and floss without damaging wires or brackets.
Clear Aligners Work Best in Certain Cases
Numerous studies have shown that Invisalign is effective for certain and generally more minor misalignments that don’t involve severe malocclusions, which are bite misalignments. However, because traditional braces use brackets that run along a wire, they may exert more force than is required to solve even the most complex cases.
Overall, we would avoid calling one option better than the other. Each option is an effective method for straightening the teeth, and our experience with both helps us determine which might meet your needs. We encourage you to clearly and completely discuss your smile goals and other priorities so that our team can provide the best solution for you.
An overbite is a condition in which the top jaw protrudes significantly over the bottom. Your Corona orthodontist uses braces to move the top teeth back and the bottom teeth forward, so the teeth align and the bite functions correctly.
Why Is a Properly Aligned Bite Important?
When your bite does not align correctly, you may have difficulty properly chewing your food, which can impact your nutrition. Teeth may have to compensate and chew in ways they were designed for, which could cause damage or fractures.
A severe overbite may also impact the appearance of your face, causing you to feel self-conscious about smiling. Straightening your teeth and aligning your bite can give you a beautiful smile that builds confidence.
When Should the Orthodontist Fix My Child's Overbite?
Children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. If they have a severe overbite, Dr. Chau may recommend interceptive orthodontic treatment, completed in phases, to correct their overbite early. If it's not as severe, it may be fine to correct it during regular orthodontic treatment around age 12.
Contact your Corona pediatric dentist at (951) 898-8845 if you have more questions about their smile or if it's time to schedule their orthodontic evaluation.
Orthodontics is the art of straightening teeth for better function and aesthetics. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) suggests that children should have their first orthodontic evaluation at age seven.
Some children who are experiencing overcrowding of their primary (baby) teeth or bite concerns (severe overbite, underbite, or crossbite) may benefit from having early (interceptive) orthodontic treatment, but not every child will need it.
Why Age Seven?
Seven may seem early for braces; however, your Corona orthodontist can take advantage of your child's growth if there are problems with crowding or bite concerns that could cause future issues.
For example, if your little one has an underbite, a condition where their lower jaw protrudes out further than the upper jaw, it can lead to bite problems, early wear on their teeth, and even gum recession if it's not treated.
Interceptive orthodontic treatment, done in phases, can move the jaw into the correct position while your child is growing so that the second phase of orthodontic treatment can focus on tooth alignment. If you wait to correct the jaw placement until adulthood it would require surgery.
Early orthodontic treatment allows us to correct common bite concerns early when it's easier for your child, making future tooth alignment more straightforward. Children who aren't dealing with tooth crowding or complex bite concerns can start their orthodontic treatment when they're around age 11 or 12.
What Happens During an Orthodontic Evaluation?
When your child has their first orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Chau, he will use photos, x-rays, and a thorough examination to gather information about their developing smile. From this information, he can evaluate their dental development and let you know if your child might benefit from early orthodontic treatment. If not, he will re-evaluate them around age 10 or 11.
If interceptive orthodontics in Corona would benefit your child, Dr. Chau will create a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs that could include:
- Palatal expanders - To create space for future adult teeth in primary teeth that are too crowded
- Early braces - A few braces can create space or close gaps
- Retainers - To hold teeth in place
Your little one's treatment may even involve a combination of these appliances to achieve the best results.
Why Orthodontic Treatment Is Important
Aligning your child's teeth and correcting any bite concerns they have sets them up for future success. Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, which means less risk of developing problems like gum disease and tooth decay in the future.
Having straight teeth means a beautiful smile that gives your child the confidence they need to be successful in the world and meet their goals. The gift of a beautiful smile is one that lasts a lifetime!
Contact All Smiles Orthodontics & Children's Dentistry
At our Corona dental office, we focus on providing exceptional care to the smallest smiles. Your child can get the general dental services they need from Dr. Nguyen and receive comprehensive orthodontic treatment with Dr. Chau when it's time, all in one convenient location!
Book your little one's next appointment online or by calling (951) 898-8845.
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Mojan Mirnia
"That smile looks great on you!"
Education
- UC San Diego - Bachelor of Science - Biology
- UCLA - Doctor of Dental Surgery
- University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry - MS and Certificate in Orthodontics
Professional Associations
- American ...
Dr. Lan Nguyen
“I Love What I Do!”
Education:
- Certificate & Bachelors in Dentistry: Loma Linda University School of Dentistry 2003,
- Miami Children Hospital in Doral, Florida 2011, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Bachelor of Science Degree 1999 UCLA, Certified in Oral ...
How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?
When patients and their families consult an orthodontist, the question they ask most often is how long treatment will last. It is crucial to understand that treatment times can vary considerably from one child to another, depending on their unique situation.
Typically, orthodontic treatment times are between 1-3 years. Factors that may affect the duration of treatment include age, the severity of the problem, and the treatment method used. One of the most critical factors affecting the length is how conscientious patients are about following their treatment plans.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Dentists in Corona, CA
Before starting your child's orthodontic care in Corona, we will discuss all available options and offer an estimate regarding the length of comprehensive treatment. Please contact our Corona dental office to schedule an appointment and learn more about orthodontics and the various treatments we offer.
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