Exceptional Pediatric Orthodontics in Yorba Linda

teen boy with bracesAt Brio Orthodontics, we believe that early detection of dental issues and preemptive treatment is essential when it comes to the oral health of your children. We specialize in orthodontics, dentofacial orthopedics, and orthognathic surgery for children.

Our skilled team of professionals are experts in the field of orthodontics. They can devise a treatment plan that integrates both dental alignment and facial structure treatment for children and teens. If you live in Yorba Linda or any of the surrounding areas, get in touch with us today and let us help you improve your little one’s oral health and development!

CALL US: (714) 777-1890 REQUEST APPOINTMENT


When is The Best Time to Start Orthodontic Treatment for My Child?

little girl in dental office holding dental modelAccording to the American Association of Orthodontists, your child should have an orthodontic evaluation at the first sign of problems or no later than seven years old. At this stage, the orthodontist can observe your child’s full set of teeth and determine how their smile is developing and whether treatment is needed. Dr. John can evaluate your child early to ensure positive results with minimal time and expense.

Early pediatric orthodontics is intended to catch problems early and prevent them from developing into serious bite problems as your child grows. Issues such as severely crooked teeth, dental crowding, or wide gaps between teeth can affect your child’s health, confidence, and appearance.


Early Intervention Techniques to Give Children Their Best Smiles

Early intervention with special orthodontic appliances can help move teeth into the right positions early on, so your child can avoid the need for full braces later or greatly reduce the time needed to achieve the ideal correction with braces.

While many people think of braces when they hear the term orthodontics, many other treatments help create the right shape and symmetry for your child’s smile.

2 boys with braces smilingOur pediatric orthodontics services can include:

  • Space Maintainers
  • Lower Lingual Arch Appliances
  • Mouthguards and Night Guards
  • Retention Appliances
  • Jaw Growth Correction Therapy (Dentofacial Orthopedics)
  • Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)

What is Dentofacial Orthopedics?

Alignment issues can arise when the upper and lower jaws grow at different rates. Dentofacial orthopedics is the first phase of treatment to make sure the jaw bone is aligned properly before beginning the other phases of treatment. This usually involves placing braces or other orthodontic appliances to improve the position and dimensions of the bones in the jaw and face.

Dentofacial appliances can be fixed or removable. Some of the most common devices include:

Palate Expander: A fixed device that gradually moves the cartilage in the upper jaw to widen it to accommodate for developing adult teeth.


Activators: Used to gradually move the upper or lower jaws forward and guide any erupting teeth.


Lower Jaw Expander: As its name implies, these devices stretch the lower jaw, slowly moving the teeth apart to make room for later adjustments or incoming teeth.


Block: A fixed device that directs bite force to comfortably and steadily correct poor bites.


Orthodontic Headgear: If problems can’t be corrected from inside the mouth, an outside appliance that straps around the face can realign the jaw and improve the bite.

What Happens When Jaw Bones Go Untreated?

If the facial bones have already fully developed or the misalignment is too severe for orthodontics alone, then surgical treatment may be the best option to obtain a healthy bite. Orthognathic surgery is used to correct severe skeletal imbalance or poor dental positioning.

New techniques are now available to decrease swelling and speed recovery time. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) applied before and after surgery can reduce trauma and have patients feeling better at each stage of the treatment.

Corrective jaw surgery can help with:

  • Open bite
  • Facial injury or congenital disabilities
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing or biting
  • Unbalanced facial appearance
  • Chronic open mouth breathing
  • Sleep apnea
  • Receding chin
  • Protruding jaw

Steps of Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment process are a highly predictable and immensely successful series of methods used to treat moderate to severe malocclusion. It can correct overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overcrowding. Treatment can take between six and thirty months to complete depending on the need for orthopedic or surgical corrections and the individual’s rate of healing.

The three major stages include:

Step 1: This is the planning stage. Dr. John will need to evaluate dental and medical conditions and study impressions, panoramic x-rays, computer images, and photographs. Then, based on the overall facial structure and position of each tooth, Dr. John will create a comprehensive plan that addresses as many issues as possible.


Step 2: In this stage, our orthodontist will recommend custom orthodontic devices to move teeth into proper alignment gently. Traditional braces, lingual braces, headgear, or even clear braces may be part of this phase, depending on the specific target.

This phase might be repeated before or after surgery to make each treatment more successful.


Step 3: This is the final step, a customized retainer is used to fully stabilize alignment and ensure that teeth do not move back to their original positions. A retainer is a critical component of orthodontic treatment and will help teeth remain in position as bones, muscles, and gums adjust and change over time.

Retainers can be fixed or removable and will require a specific length of treatment time for the initial appliance, and a final retainer should be worn nightly from then on.


Orthodontic Treatment Designed Especially for Teens

For many of us, a mouth full of embarrassing metal brackets and wires is synonymous with the teenage years. Nowadays, many options exist that can make straightening teeth much more discreet, and even fun!

Ceramic and Clear Brackets

close up of colored ceramic bracesUnlike traditional braces, Clear Damon® Braces will help you experience treatment without tightening. Available in metal or clear with a gentle siding door that holds the wire of the braces, this self-ligating wire slides back and forth within the bracket, producing less friction, and is more comfortable than traditional braces. Damon brackets can also be combined with colored wires, a fun way for teens to personalize their smile during treatment.

Invisalign® Clear Aligners

If your teen prefers to go under the radar, Invisalign® clear aligner therapy uses nearly invisible customized trays made of comfortable plastic. They get a new set of aligners every two weeks to gradually move teeth into the desired position. The clear aligners must be worn 22 hours every day, removed when eating or drinking, and cleaned properly between each meal. This treatment is ideal for teens with mild to moderate alignment issues and the maturity to adhere to the recommended guidelines.


Everything Good Begins With A Smile

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future oral health. At Brio Orthodontics, we create pleasing results and provide you with the best specialized care you deserve. A beautiful, symmetrical smile gives a great boost to self-esteem and confidence, and that’s what we love to see happen to every patient we help. Call us today and schedule your appointment!

CALL US: (714) 777-1890 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

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