Retainers are provided at the end of orthodontic treatment to maintain the end result and keep your smile looking beautiful. Retainers will be delivered upon removal of all your appliances. Teeth are prone to get back to their original positions if the retainers are not worn regularly. However as the time goes by the surrounding gum and bone are more established around the new positions of your teeth. This allows you to wear your retainers less frequent and still keep your teeth in their new and correct positions. We always recommend a 24/7 wear discipline of the retainers during first year. Second year can be easier and you can wear your retainers only at night. From the third year on you can reduce the frequency of wearing your retainers every other night or every other two nights.

Retainers discipline is life-long commitment.

Brushing and maintaining a healthy oral hygiene is critical to the completion of your orthodontic treatment. Maintaining regular 6 month visits with your family dentist is highly encouraged. Avoiding crunchy and sticky foods will keep your treatment on track and avoid longer than needed appointments. Maintaining scheduled appointments allows for your orthodontist to supervise progress throughout the length of your treatment.

This is a very broad question and will depend on how strongly your belief is in the return of investment in your smile. Since no one is born with perfect dentition functionally and esthetically, there is always room to enhance your smile. However, in some cases, there may be a functional correction needed to avoid permanent future damage. This can include but is not limited to concerns of crossbites, habits or skeletal growth and development discrepancies.

Orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to any specific time frame when the decision to enhance your smile is made.  However, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends an early evaluation around the age of seven when the very first sets of Permanent teeth are erupting. Individuals with growth pattern issues (mainly jaw size discrepancies) should be seen no later than the age of 11 to 12 before the bone growth in the child has ceased.

We do not expect you to be an orthodontist to diagnose orthodontic needs however the following hints may be helpful 

• Spacing between teeth or overlapping and crowded teeth due to lack of enough space
• Small or big jaws that do not allow teeth coming together normally
• Bad habits like Finger sucking, nail biting, bruxism, clenching, and mouth breathing
• Missing teeth, extra teeth, abnormally erupting or misplaced teeth

The length of your orthodontic treatment depends mainly on the complexity of your case as well as your level of cooperation on maintaining a good oral hygiene and following the instructions given by your orthodontist. Treatment lengths can vary from half a year for simple cases and up to 3 years for severe cases.  You may have an estimate of your treatment length upon your initial orthodontic exam.

Placement of the braces will not be painful. There is some potential discomfort that comes with the nature of orthodontic treatment, usually only within the first week. However, having Braces will not alter or interfere with activities in your daily life.

At San Leandro Braces, we believe Orthodontic treatment should be affordable for everyone! We are happy to offer a variety of INTEREST FREE payment options to make a beautiful smile possible.

Payment in full discount

Pay in advance to come up with down payment

Third party financing with interest free promotions (Care Credit, Lending Club)

All major credit cards accepted

Most insurance accepted.

Our Treatment Coordinator is available to assist you in the process of utilizing any orthodontic benefits provided through your insurance as well as customizing a budget to fit your treatment needs.

You may have an estimate of your treatment cost upon your initial orthodontic exam.

At Petaluma Braces, we believe Orthodontic treatment should be affordable for everyone! We are happy to offer a variety of INTEREST FREE payment options to make a beautiful smile possible.

Payment in full discount

Pay in advance to come up with down payment

Third party financing with interest free promotions (Care Credit, Lending Club)

All major credit cards accepted

Most insurance accepted.

Our Treatment Coordinator is available to assist you in the process of utilizing any orthodontic benefits provided through your insurance as well as customizing a budget to fit your treatment needs.

You may have an estimate of your treatment cost upon your initial orthodontic exam.