Other Treatments

Two-Phase Treatment

At Orthodontics LA, we are committed to providing advanced and personalized orthodontic care tailored to the unique needs of each patient. One of our specialized treatment options is two-phase orthodontic treatment, designed to address complex dental and jaw alignment issues in a comprehensive manner. This method combines two distinct phases of treatment to achieve optimal results and long-lasting benefits.

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a strategic approach that involves two separate stages of orthodontic intervention. The primary goal is to maximize the effectiveness of each phase and ensure the best possible outcome for our patients. This treatment is particularly beneficial for children with significant orthodontic problems that cannot be fully addressed in a single phase.

Phase One

The first phase of treatment, known as early intervention, typically begins when a child is around 7-10 years old. During this stage, our orthodontists focus on guiding the development of the jaw and addressing any significant dental issues that could worsen over time. Early intervention can help:

• Correct jaw growth discrepancies
• Create space for permanent teeth to erupt properly
• Address harmful oral habits, such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting
• Improve facial symmetry and overall appearance

Early intervention often involves the use of appliances such as expanders, partial braces, or space maintainers. These devices are designed to influence the growth and development of the jaw and teeth, setting the foundation for a healthier and more balanced smile.

Resting Period

Between the two phases of treatment, there is typically a rest period during which the remaining permanent teeth are allowed to erupt naturally. This period can last several months to a few years, depending on the individual case. During this time, we closely monitor the patient’s dental development through regular check-ups to ensure everything is progressing as planned.

Phase Two

The second phase of treatment begins once most or all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually around the ages of 11-14. The goal of this phase is to fine-tune the alignment of the teeth and ensure a harmonious bite. Comprehensive treatment may involve the use of traditional braces, clear aligners, or other orthodontic appliances to achieve precise and lasting results.

During this phase, our orthodontists at Orthodontics LA will:

• Align the teeth for proper spacing and function
• Correct bite issues, such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites
• Ensure the upper and lower jaws fit together correctly
• Enhance the overall aesthetics of the smile

By addressing these issues comprehensively, we help our patients achieve not only a beautiful smile but also improved oral health and function.

Is Two-Phase Treatment Right For Your Child?

Two-phase orthodontic treatment offers numerous benefits, making it an effective option for many children and adolescents. Some of the key advantages include:

• Improved Outcomes — By guiding jaw development and addressing significant issues early, two-phase treatment can lead to better overall results compared to waiting until all permanent teeth have erupted.
• Reduced Risk of Dental Issues — Early intervention can help prevent more severe orthodontic problems from developing, reducing the need for more invasive treatments later on.
• Enhanced Facial Aesthetics — Two-phase treatment can improve facial symmetry and balance, contributing to a more attractive appearance.
• Comprehensive Care — This approach allows us to address both functional and aesthetic concerns, ensuring a healthy and beautiful smile for life.

Determining whether two-phase treatment is the right option for your child involves a thorough evaluation by our experienced orthodontists. During the initial consultation, we will assess your child’s dental and jaw development, discuss any concerns, and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.

Accelerated Treatment

At Orthodontics LA, we are committed to providing our patients with the most advanced and efficient orthodontic treatment options available. For those seeking faster results without compromising quality, we offer accelerated treatment using Propel vPro and Damon Ultima braces. These innovative solutions are designed to reduce treatment time and enhance patient comfort, making the journey to a perfect smile quicker and more convenient.

Accelerated orthodontic treatment involves the use of advanced technologies and techniques to speed up the movement of teeth, allowing for shorter overall treatment times. While traditional braces can take 18 to 24 months to achieve desired results, accelerated treatments aim to significantly reduce this duration, often by several months. At Orthodontics LA, we utilize Propel vPro and Damon Ultima braces to help our patients achieve their ideal smiles more efficiently.

Propel vPro

Propel vPro is a cutting-edge device that uses gentle vibrations to enhance the effectiveness of orthodontic treatments. This small, easy-to-use appliance is designed to be used at home for just five minutes a day, making it a convenient addition to your daily routine.

How Propel vPro Works:

• Micro-Pulses — The vPro device delivers gentle micro-pulses to the teeth and surrounding bone, stimulating cellular activity and increasing blood flow. This accelerates the natural remodeling process of the bone, allowing teeth to move more quickly and comfortably into their desired positions.
• Compatibility — Propel vPro is compatible with all types of orthodontic treatments, including traditional braces, clear aligners, and Damon Ultima braces. Patients of all ages can benefit from the enhanced efficiency and comfort provided by the vPro device.

Benefits of Propel vPro:

• Faster Results — The micro-pulses from the vPro device can help reduce overall treatment time, allowing you to achieve your desired results more quickly.
• Increased Comfort — The gentle vibrations can alleviate discomfort associated with tooth movement, making your orthodontic experience more comfortable.
• Convenience — With just five minutes of use per day, Propel vPro is easy to incorporate into your daily routine without any disruption

Damon Braces

Damon Ultima braces represent the latest advancement in orthodontic technology, offering numerous benefits over traditional braces. These self-ligating braces are designed to minimize friction and pressure on the teeth, leading to more efficient and comfortable tooth movement.

How Damon Ultima Braces Work:

• Self-Ligating Mechanism — Unlike traditional braces that use elastic ties to hold the archwire in place, Damon Ultima braces use a sliding mechanism that allows the archwire to move freely within the brackets. This reduces friction and pressure, enabling teeth to move more quickly and comfortably.
• Light-Force Archwires — Damon Ultima braces utilize light-force archwires that apply gentle, consistent pressure to the teeth. This promotes efficient tooth movement while minimizing discomfort.

Benefits of Damon Ultima Braces:

• Shorter Treatment Time — The reduced friction and pressure allow for faster tooth movement, potentially shortening overall treatment time.
• Improved Comfort — The gentle, consistent pressure applied by Damon Ultima braces makes the treatment process more comfortable compared to traditional braces.
• Fewer Office Visits — The self-ligating mechanism reduces the need for frequent adjustments, meaning fewer visits to our office and more convenience for you.
• Aesthetics — Damon Ultima braces are available in both metal and clear options, catering to patients who prefer a more discreet appearance.

If you’re interested in learning more about accelerated orthodontic treatment with Propel vPro and Damon Ultima braces, schedule a consultation with Orthodontics LA today. Our dedicated team is here to answer your questions and guide you towards a healthier, more confident smile in less time.

Gummy Smile Treatment

At Orthodontics LA, we believe that everyone deserves to smile with confidence. A gummy smile, where excessive gum tissue is visible when smiling, can affect both the appearance and self-esteem of individuals. Fortunately, non-surgical treatments are available to address this concern effectively and comfortably. Our team of experienced orthodontists offers advanced solutions to help you achieve a balanced and beautiful smile without the need for invasive surgery.

A gummy smile occurs when an excessive amount of gum tissue is exposed above the upper teeth while smiling. This condition can result from various factors, including:

• Overgrowth of gum tissue can cover a significant portion of the teeth, making them appear shorter.
• A protruded or downwardly positioned upper jaw can cause more gum tissue to show when smiling.
• Hyperactive upper lip muscles can lift the lip higher than usual, exposing more gum tissue.
• Teeth that have not fully erupted or are naturally short can contribute to a gummy smile.

While a gummy smile is typically a cosmetic concern, it can impact an individual’s confidence and willingness to smile freely. At Orthodontics LA, we offer non-surgical treatment options to enhance your smile’s appearance and boost your self-confidence.

Non-surgical treatment options

Laser gum contouring is a precise and effective technique for reshaping excessive gum tissue, creating a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile. This treatment is ideal for patients with overgrown gum tissue that covers a significant portion of their teeth.

Laser gum treatment is a simple, non-invasive process with minimal recovery time. Treatment includes:

• A Consultation — Our orthodontists will evaluate your gum tissue and discuss your treatment goals to determine if laser gum contouring is appropriate for you.
• The Procedure — Using advanced laser technology, we carefully remove excess gum tissue and reshape the gum line. The laser seals blood vessels as it cuts, minimizing bleeding and promoting faster healing.
• Great Results — The results of laser gum contouring are immediate, revealing more of your natural teeth and creating a harmonious smile. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, ensuring a comfortable experience.

Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) are another innovative, non-surgical solution for correcting a gummy smile. These small, screw-like devices are strategically placed in the mouth to provide additional support for targeted tooth movement, allowing for precise control over the repositioning of teeth and gums. By using TADs, we can effectively reduce excessive gum exposure by gently moving the teeth upward, creating a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile. This minimally invasive approach eliminates the need for surgical intervention, making the treatment process quicker and more comfortable for patients seeking to enhance their smile.

In some cases, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to address the underlying causes of a gummy smile, such as improper tooth eruption or jaw positioning. Clear aligners or braces can help reposition the teeth and jaws, reducing the appearance of excessive gum tissue. As with any orthodontic treatment plan, the process is simple:

• Our orthodontists will conduct a thorough examination to identify the root cause of your gummy smile and develop a personalized treatment plan.
• Depending on your specific needs, orthodontic appliances such as clear aligners or braces will be used to move the teeth and jaws into their correct positions.
• Orthodontic treatment can take several months to a few years, but the results are long-lasting, enhancing both the function and appearance of your smile.

If you’re ready to transform your smile and address your gummy smile concerns, schedule a consultation with Orthodontics LA today. Our dedicated team is here to answer your questions, discuss your treatment options, and guide you towards a healthier, more confident smile.

Laser Gingivectomy

At Orthodontics LA, we are proud to offer laser gingivectomy, an innovative and minimally invasive procedure designed to enhance the health and appearance of your gums. This advanced treatment uses precise laser technology to reshape or remove excess gum tissue, providing effective results with minimal discomfort and faster healing times compared to traditional methods.

Laser gingivectomy is a dental procedure that utilizes a specialized laser to carefully remove or reshape excessive or diseased gum tissue. This treatment is ideal for addressing gum overgrowth, which can be caused by genetics, medication, or inflammation. It also effectively treats periodontal disease by removing infected or inflamed gum tissue and improving aesthetic concerns such as uneven gum lines or gummy smiles.

Laser gingivectomy treatment offers several key benefits over traditional surgical methods. The precision of the laser allows for highly accurate removal of gum tissue, minimizing damage to surrounding areas. Additionally, the laser’s cauterizing effect reduces bleeding, swelling, and discomfort during and after the procedure, promoting quicker recovery and lowering the risk of infection. Patients also appreciate the aesthetically pleasing results, as the procedure achieves smooth, even gum lines that enhance the overall appearance of their smiles.

Ideal candidates for a laser gingivectomy are individuals with excessive gum tissue, periodontal disease, or cosmetic concerns related to their gum line. During your consultation, our orthodontists will thoroughly assess your condition and discuss your treatment options to develop a personalized plan tailored to your needs.

At Orthodontics LA, our commitment to advanced technology and patient-centered care ensures that you receive the highest quality treatment. Our skilled orthodontists have extensive experience in performing laser gingivectomy, providing you with expert care and exceptional results.

Laser Frenectomy

At Orthodontics LA, we provide laser frenectomies to address issues related to restrictive frenula. This modern procedure uses precise laser technology to release or remove the frenulum, improving oral function and comfort while minimizing recovery time and discomfort.

A frenectomy involves modifying or removing the frenulum, a small fold of tissue limiting the movement of the tongue (lingual frenulum) or the upper lip (labial frenulum). When the frenulum is too tight or short—conditions known as tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) or lip-tie—it can cause various issues. These include breastfeeding difficulties in infants, speech impediments due to improper tongue placement, oral hygiene challenges caused by limited tongue mobility, and orthodontic problems like spacing issues.

Laser frenectomies offer numerous advantages over traditional surgical methods. The laser allows for precision removal or modification of the frenulum, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. Its cauterizing effect seals blood vessels and nerve endings as it cuts, reducing bleeding, swelling, and pain. The minimally invasive nature of the laser promotes quicker recovery times and lowers the risk of infection, leading to enhanced outcomes in terms of improved oral function and overall health.

Laser frenectomy is suitable for patients of all ages, from infants experiencing breastfeeding difficulties to older children and adults facing speech or orthodontic issues due to a restrictive frenulum. Our orthodontists will carefully assess each case to provide personalized treatment recommendations.

At Orthodontics LA, our commitment to advanced technology and patient-centered care ensures that you receive the highest quality treatment. Our skilled orthodontists have extensive experience in performing laser frenectomies, providing you with expert care and exceptional results.

Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)

Temporary Anchorage Devices, commonly known as TADs, are miniature screws that an orthodontist inserts into the jawbone to provide a fixed point from which to apply force to move teeth. Unlike traditional anchorage methods, such as using adjacent teeth, TADs offer a stable and non-movable anchor, enhancing the control over tooth movement.

TADs bring numerous benefits to orthodontic treatment. They significantly improve the precision and efficiency of tooth movement, allowing for more complex and controlled adjustments. This can lead to shorter treatment times and more predictable results. Additionally, TADs can reduce the need for headgear or other cumbersome appliances, offering a more comfortable and discreet treatment option for patients.

The placement of TADs is a quick and minimally invasive procedure performed in our office. Using local anesthesia, the orthodontist numbs the area where the TAD will be inserted to ensure patient comfort. The TAD is then gently screwed into the jawbone using a specialized instrument. The entire process typically takes only a few minutes.

Patients may experience mild discomfort after the procedure, but this is usually temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients can resume their normal activities immediately following the placement.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial when TADs are in place. Patients should clean around the appliance carefully with a soft-bristled toothbrush and use an antimicrobial mouthwash to prevent infection. Regular check-ups at Orthodontics LA will ensure that the TADs remain in good condition and function effectively throughout the treatment period.

TADs are suitable for a wide range of orthodontic cases, particularly those requiring complex movements, such as closing large gaps, correcting severe bite issues, or controlling the movement of specific teeth without affecting others. TADs can also help improve your teeth-to-gum ratio, improving the appearance of a gummy smile and your overall smile aesthetic. During your consultation, our orthodontists will assess your individual needs and determine if TADs are the right solution for you.

Retainers

Retainers are dental appliances that hold your teeth in their new, corrected positions after braces or other orthodontic treatments. There are two main types of retainers: removable Hawley and Essix retainers and fixed or bonded retainers. Each type has its unique benefits and is chosen based on individual needs and preferences.

Using retainers as directed by your orthodontist ensures that your teeth stay in their optimal positions. This helps preserve the time, effort, and investment you put into your orthodontic treatment. At Orthodontics LA, we are committed to ensuring the longevity of your orthodontic results. Our experienced orthodontists use the latest techniques and materials to create high-quality retainers tailored to your needs. We provide comprehensive care and support throughout your post-treatment phase, helping you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

Retainer Assurance

At Orthodontics LA, we offer our retainer guarantee to both teens and adults, as part of our all-inclusive, custom treatment plans. After completing your orthodontic treatment, we highly recommend regular retainer wear with our “Nighttime For A Lifetime” promise, to ensure the longevity of your beautiful smile!

Our retainer assurance program provides you with peace of mind, allowing you to enroll and have the confidence of getting a last-minute replacement retainer whenever you need it. No worries if your retainer gets lost, accidentally thrown out, or becomes worn out — we’ve got you covered.

We understand how valuable your investment in achieving a perfect smile is, and that’s why we keep a 3D model of your teeth on the cloud. With clear retainers, you can protect your smile for a lifetime, ensuring it stays just as beautiful as the day your orthodontic treatment was completed. Don’t hesitate to ask about enrolling in our retainer assurance program. Let us help you maintain that winning smile you’ve worked so hard to achieve!

Zoom Whitening

At Orthodontics LA, we understand the importance of a dazzling smile. That’s why we offer Zoom teeth whitening, a leading professional teeth whitening system designed to deliver stunning results quickly and effectively. Whether you’re preparing for a special event or simply want to enhance your everyday confidence, Zoom teeth whitening can help you achieve a brighter, more radiant smile.

Zoom teeth whitening is an advanced in-office dental treatment that uses a specialized light-activated gel to whiten your teeth by several shades in just one visit. The procedure is safe, fast, and highly effective, making it a popular choice for those seeking immediate and noticeable improvements in their smile’s appearance.

Zoom teeth whitening offers numerous benefits over other whitening methods. One of the key advantages is its speed; the entire treatment typically takes about an hour, allowing you to achieve significant results in a single appointment. Additionally, the professional-grade whitening gel used in the Zoom system can penetrate deep stains that over-the-counter products may not be able to address.

Furthermore, Zoom whitening is performed under the supervision of our skilled dental professionals, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience. This minimizes the risk of sensitivity and maximizes the effectiveness of the treatment.

How Zoom Whitening Works

The Zoom teeth whitening process at Orthodontics LA is straightforward and designed to deliver optimal results with minimal discomfort.

Before the whitening procedure, you’ll have a consultation with one of our experienced orthodontists. They will assess your dental health, discuss your whitening goals, and determine if Zoom teeth whitening is the right option for you.

On the day of your appointment, your lips and gums will be carefully protected to ensure that only your teeth are exposed to the whitening gel. A hydrogen peroxide-based whitening gel is then applied to your teeth.

A special Zoom light is used to activate the whitening gel, which helps break down stains and discoloration. The gel is applied in 15-minute sessions, typically for a total of three to four sessions, depending on the desired level of whitening and the initial condition of your teeth.

After the treatment, a fluoride gel may be applied to your teeth to reduce any potential sensitivity. You will also receive instructions on how to maintain your newly whitened smile, including tips on avoiding staining foods and beverages, and recommendations for at-home care products to prolong your results.

Zoom teeth whitening is ideal for individuals looking to remove stains caused by coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, aging, and certain foods. It’s suitable for most patients with healthy teeth and gums who wish to achieve a brighter smile. During your consultation, our orthodontists will evaluate your teeth and recommend the best whitening approach for you.

At Orthodontics LA, our commitment to using advanced dental technologies ensures you receive top-quality care. Our team of experienced orthodontists and dental professionals is dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible results in a safe and comfortable environment. With Zoom teeth whitening, you can trust us to provide a brighter, more confident smile that you’ll love to show off.