Braces

Braces can seem like a hassle, but they are actually an incredibly effective way to completely transform a smile into something beautiful. A person's smile is a huge part of their overall facial attractiveness, which is why braces can play a huge role in boosting self-esteem. At Culver City Dentist, we offer a variety of leading braces options for both our adult and kid dental patients. Our braces department is led by Dr. Salmassian, one of Los Angeles' top orthodontists with over a decade of experience. Dr. Salmassian is equipped to treat a wide range of orthodontic issues ranging from simple short term braces to complicated orthodontic cases requiring surgery and long-term braces. Though patients tend to associate braces with negative feelings, modern technology has made braces more wearable, less noticeable and more comfortable for orthodontic patients. Additionally, instead of just offering traditional, bulky metal braces, Culver City Dentist has a range of braces options for our patients and will customize a patient's orthodontic treatment program to achieve the maximum aesthetic results with minimum time in braces.

Braces are important in more ways than just for having a pretty smile. Teeth that are crowded and crooked are difficult to brush and floss, which leads to a higher incidence of tooth decay and cavities over the course of a lifetime. Additionally, braces help align the surfaces of a patient's teeth so they can enjoy normal wear over tooth surfaces, something that is not possible with crooked teeth. Other health benefits of braces include elimination of chronic headaches, face and neck pains as well as jaw problems and excessive stress on gum tissues that can result from misaligned teeth and jawbones.

Many adults who visit Culver City Dentist for braces prefer our cutting edge Invisalign invisible braces. Invisalign braces involve no brackets, metal or wires, and can correct teeth without marring your smile during the orthodontic treatment. For kids braces, low-friction braces are often recommended, which are much smaller, more comfortable and faster than previous metal braces. For kids who get braces, Dr. Salmassian explains the orthodontic treatment in simple terms before completing each treatment to ensure kids always feel comfortable and calm about getting braces. Whether you are looking for a quick course of Invisalign to fix a minor issue or require complicated braces, Culver City Dentist welcomes you to visit our family friendly dental office for cutting edge, friendly orthodontic treatment.

Why Braces?

It's hard to clean and maintain crowded and crooked teeth, and if you cannot keep your teeth clean and healthy, decay and gum disease will lead to tooth loss. You may experience abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, excessive stress on gum tissues and the supporting bones, insufficient chewing function and misalignment of the jaw joints. Chronic headaches and face and neck pains are common results of these problems and are quite costly to cure. That is why it is very important to talk about healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment with your dentist. Your orthodontist can treat these issues quite less costly and can prevent other dental issues arising from orthodontic problems. A treatment with braces can give you healthier teeth, healthier body and a beautiful smile.

Braces forAll Ages

Adults

Despite the common belief, even adults can benefit from orthodontic treatments. As the jaws stop growing after the age 21, jaw surgery is usually required for adults. Also due to some breakdown and loss of supporting bone and teeth, periodontal treatments before, during, and after orthodontic treatment may be necessary.

Kids

The best time for orthodontists to assess and advice orthodontic treatment for kids is by age 7. As by that age the first permanent molars and incisors have usually come, the orthodontist can evaluate crowding, cross bites and other problems. By early treatment the growth of the jaw and incoming permanent teeth can be guided, width of the upper and lower dental arches can be regulated and enough space can be kept for the upcoming permanent teeth to avoid the need of extraction in the future. Therefore the impact of thumb-sucking, abnormal swallowing and speech problems can be corrected at an early age. You can simplify, or even eliminate, later treatment by early treatment in childhood.

How Orthodontic Treatment Works

Plastic, ceramic or metal is usually used to make orthodontic appliances. Braces are usually removable or are brackets bonded to teeth. Braces slowly move teeth to their corrected positions by placing a constant, gentle force in a controlled direction. Wearing braces are much easier these days; you don't see any of those metal bands and brackets placed around each tooth any more. Now you can choose the color of brackets, usually metallic colors or clear, and you can choose the color of the ties holding the wires in the brackets. Patients experience much less discomfort than before, and these latest materials move faster and are less noticeable.

Duration of Treatment

Depending on the severity of the problems and how fast the patient's mouth and face grow, the treatment can last between one to three years. The duration of the treatment differs for each patient. Each patient has a different growth rate and responds differently to treatments. The patient's consistency in using rubber bands, headgear and other prescribed appliances plays a very important role in achieving the most efficient treatment. Early treatment procedures can even take as low as six months.

Invisible Braces (invisalign^®)

Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. And since your Invisalign system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your dentist or orthodontist, you know you'll end up with a smile that truly fits. If you're ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. Although there are many choices out there, no other works as effortlessly as the Invisalign system.Invisalign is the best way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life.