A guide to orthodontic treatment (without the orthodontist’s price tag!)

Royal Dental Practice is defined by state-of-the-art capabilities that cannot be found at many other offices in West Hills and greater Los Angeles, California. Dr. Roya Shoffet is committed to lifelong learning. Dr. Shoffet’s interests and advanced expertise include orthodontic treatment. This treatment category focuses on straightening the teeth and correcting bite imbalances.

You do not have to go to a costly and unfamiliar orthodontist’s office to comfortably, efficiently, and effectively transform your gapped, crowded, crooked, and otherwise unevenly spaced teeth.

The “traditional” treatment

In the past, individuals with bite problems or crooked and poorly-spaced teeth had limited options for treatment. While effective, braces stood out in the smile due to their silver hue. 

This system of wires, brackets, and bands is generally fixed to the teeth. They cannot be removed. Braces place consistent pressure on the teeth. Once every four to six weeks, they are adjusted or tightened. So, the process of straightening continues to move forward. 

Today’s braces are essentially lighter weight and less noticeable when you smile. Patients can choose braces that are made from tooth-colored brackets and wires. This allows for the braces to better blend in with the teeth. 

Treatment with aligners 

Aligner therapy presents an alternative to conventional braces for the right patients. There are a variety of aligner systems available today. While each system has unique characteristics, they primarily involve fabricating special oral appliances. These appliances or “aligner trays” are designed to be worn in the mouth at all times. They can be removed but should only be taken out of the mouth before eating, brushing, and flossing. Failure to comply with the recommended daily wear time can delay or interfere with treatment outcomes because the aligners place the pressure on the teeth needed to reposition them. 

A series of aligners are worn throughout treatment. Each aligner tray is designed for a specific step or phase in treatment. So, here again, it is essential to wear the aligners as advised and in the correct order. 

Our patients like that the aligners can be removed, are smooth and flexible for added comfort, and, last but certainly not least, they are made from transparent or see-through plastic! This means that all others see is your improved smile, not dental “hardware.”

We welcome your questions about the many options to correct a “bad bite” and other spacing issues. Call Royal Dental Practice at (818) 334-6655 to reach your friends in West Hills, Los Angeles, CA.

Share this Article