All About Braces

Everything You Need To Know

If you have questions about braces and Invisalign®, you can find lots of helpful braces info here. We believe the only way for you to make the right decision for your treatment is to have the information you need and the right doctor to address any concerns and questions you may have.

A beautiful, healthy smile can enhance your quality of life no matter your age. In fact, we have patients as young as 5 and as old as 85! As your teeth, jaws, and lips become properly aligned with braces, you’ll find your self-esteem increases as you become more confident in your smile. In post-treatment photographs, we notice our patients with braces sit up straighter, are eager to smile and are more confident in their overall appearance.

Alleviating and preventing oral health problems is another important reason to get braces. Without orthodontic treatment, an individual may be more susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease, uneven and excessive tooth wear, bone destruction, chewing difficulties, jaw joint issues, speech impairments, airway issues, and dental injuries.

How Braces Work

Simply put, braces slowly move and align your teeth over time, giving you a straighter smile. Braces move your teeth by slowly applying force and pressure with a series of brackets, wires, and elastics. Sometimes, additional appliances may also be used during treatment. There are many different types of braces, and each treatment is as unique as each patient. To get answers to all your braces questions, schedule a consultation with us today at our Bakersfield, CA office! We also serve the areas of Delano, Tehachapi, Taft, Shafter, Wasco, Arvin, and Lamont–as well as other surrounding communities. At your free consultation, Dr. Montano will be happy to explain the entire braces process from start to finish along with the cost of braces.

Early Treatment

All children should see an orthodontist by the age of seven. This is the age when some of the first permanent teeth have erupted and the child can be examined for overbites, crowding, or cross bites. Early intervention is sometimes recommended because it may prevent more serious health problems down the line that might require surgery. Advantages of seeking early treatment may include reducing treatment time, alleviating thumb sucking habits, the possibility of avoiding jaw surgery or permanent tooth extraction and more.

Adult Treatment

The obvious reason many adults pursue orthodontic treatment with braces is for improved smile aesthetics. There are, however, numerous other incentives for improving one’s smile later in life including improving overall oral health, eliminating uneven wear on teeth, reducing symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), reducing or stopping breakdown or loss of teeth and bone that supports the teeth and much more.

From discreet options like Invisalign® to traditional braces and clear braces, we can help you find the treatment option that is right for you.