ORTHODONTIC SERVICES

Even if you have healthy teeth and gums, the way they fit within your mouth is another important aspect of your dental health. If your teeth are improperly positioned, you may suffer from an irregular bite. While everyone wants straight teeth for esthetic reasons, there are major health concerns associated with your bite as well. For these and other tooth alignment issues, Dr. Valenzuela is a competent and well trusted specialist who will fulfill your orthodontic needs, which may include straightening your teeth. Our team will discuss with you what treatments will best suit your needs.

Early Orthodontics Ages under 5

Dentist performs an orthodontic evaluation on children at the age of 3 for early detection and treatment to give your child a better chance for natural and normal development. We can prevent problems from becoming worse.

Early treatment should be initiated for:

  • Habits such as tongue thrusting and thumb sucking
  • A constricted airway due to swollen adenoids or tonsils
  • Mouth breathing or snoring problems
  • A cross bite
  • Bone problems (i.e. narrow or underdeveloped jaws)
  • Space maintainer (for missing teeth)

 

Phase One

Functional (Growth) Appliances and/or Limited Braces – Ages 5-12

To Correct Underdeveloped or Overdeveloped Jaws – Almost 55% of children who need orthodontic treatment due to a bad bite have underdeveloped or overdeveloped upper or lower jaws. Functional appliances and/or limited braces can reposition the jaws, improving the child’s profile and correcting the bite problem – within 7 to 9 months!

In the first phase, the doctor is interested in the position and symmetry of the jaws, future growth, spacing of the teeth, breathing and other oral habits which may, over a period of time, result in abnormal dento-facial development.

Treatment initiated in this phase of development is often very successful and sometimes, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic treatment.

Shorter Treatment Time – Another advantage of early Phase One treatment is that children will need to wear fixed braces on their adult teeth for less time.

 

 

Phase Two

Braces – Ages 12 and up

Even if you have healthy teeth and gums, the way they fit within your mouth is another important aspect of your dental health. If your teeth are improperly positioned, you may suffer from an irregular bite. While everyone wants straight teeth for esthetic reasons, there are major health concerns associated with your bite as well. For these and other tooth alignment issues, Dr. Valenzuela is a competent and well trusted specialist who will fulfill your orthodontic needs, which may include straightening your teeth. Our team will discuss with you what treatments will best suit your needs

In the second phase, the doctor will be looking at how your child’s teeth and jaws fit, and more specifically work, together. Your child’s teeth will be straightened and their occlusion (bite) is properly aligned. Attention will be given to the jaw joint, (TMJ), the facial profile and periodontal (gum) tissues. By undergoing the first phase, we can usually reduce the amount of time needed for braces.

Facial Development – Seventy-five percent of 12-year-olds need orthodontic treatment. Yet 90% of a child’s face has already developed! By guiding facial development earlier, through the use of functional appliances, 80% of the treatment can be corrected before the adult teeth are present!

Traditional Metal Braces
If you have crooked teeth, you have many options for treatment. While dental technology has produced a number of new treatments, sometimes the traditional method is the most effective. Metal braces are less expensive than many of the newer technologies, and many dentists believe they are more effective at straightening teeth.

Especially if you suffer from a significant bite problem, talk to Dr. Valenzuela about traditional metal braces. They may be the very best procedure to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

Invisalign®
Invisalign® is a proprietary orthodontic technique pioneered by Align Technologies. Patients (now, both teens and adults) who are candidates for treatment with Invisalign can receive comfortable, efficient, and effective orthodontic treatment that is virtually undetectable to others.

The process is essentially a series of precise-fitting, clear aligners (no wires or brackets) worn in sequence by the patient while under the supervision of our dentists and team. Each aligner is responsible for certain tooth movements that take the patient from their starting condition to the final corrected alignment of their teeth.

General Services

Afford Your Care

The team at Dr. Romero and Dr. Lezama’s office aim to make you and your family’s dental care financially comfortable and affordable.

Orthodontics Smile Gallery

A picture is worth a thousand words! Enjoy photos of our orthodontic patients and team.

Meet Dr. Valenzuela

Dr. Valenzuela combines her passion for dental care, art and aesthetics to give you the smile of your dreams!