Get Your Perfect Smile With Braces
Braces are a fixed orthodontic appliance, meaning they’re bonded to your teeth and stay put throughout your treatment. Dr. Melanie uses a system of brackets and wires to shift your teeth into their ideal positions. The result is a fabulous smile and a healthy, aligned bite.
Traditional Metal Braces
Smile-Perfecting Appliances
The most common type of braces is traditional metal braces. These braces are smaller and more comfortable today than they’ve ever been before.
Metal braces straighten teeth using metal brackets and archwires made from high-grade stainless steel. You can add colorful elastics (rubber bands) that fit around the braces for a fully customizable, fun, and unique smile-transforming experience.
How Do Braces Work?
Dr. Melanie bonds custom braces brackets to your teeth using a 3D-printed tray to ensure they’re in the right positions. Next, she threads an archwire through the brackets. The wire acts as a track to guide the teeth into place.
As your braces exert steady, gentle pressure, your teeth move toward their desired positions, which Dr. Melanie plans out at the start of your treatment.
We pair our custom brackets with light, shape-memory archwires so that you get the desired results in less time and look great doing it!
Our Custom Braces System
We use a custom braces system at Dr. Melanie Orthodontics. Whether you choose metal or clear braces, your treatment will start with a quick and painless video scan.
Dr. Melanie will use the scan to map out your perfect smile before you begin. The software we utilize chooses braces brackets that are the ideal shape for your teeth so that you can get the best possible results.
The braces will be attached to your teeth in the exact right position using custom 3D-printed trays.
Since the braces are made especially for your smile, they require fewer adjustments and appointments. There is also less inflammation, reduced pain, less time spent in braces, and better outcomes.
The Teeth-Straightening Process With Braces
01.
Consultation
When you visit us for your free consultation, you’ll be greeted with a smile. We’ll tour our beautiful, state-of-the-art office before a team member takes free digital photos and X-rays. Dr. Melanie will then examine your mouth.
Dr. Melanie will develop a diagnosis using her findings and your diagnostic records and present you with her personalized treatment recommendations. She’ll explain everything in detail and answer any questions you have.
A team member will then chat with you about the cost of braces, insurance, and our flexible financing options. Our goal is for you to feel informed and confident about your or your child’s treatment.
If you decide to move forward, we offer same-day starts so that you can kick off your braces treatment right after your consultation. This will save you from having to make another trip to our office.
02.
Get Your Braces Put On
Does getting braces put on hurt? Not a bit! We promise it’s painless, and there are no needles involved. While most doctors put braces one by one and use a one-sizes-fits-all approach, we use a customized tray system at our practice.
A team member will take a quick video scan of your mouth and send the digital 3D file to our software. Dr. Melanie will digitally design your perfect smile and be able to determine the exact placement of each braces bracket before you get started.
Using our in-office 3D printer, Dr. Melanie will print out a custom tray so that every bracket on every tooth is ideally positioned just for you. Once the brackets are bonded to your teeth, she’ll thread the arch wires through them. We’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about caring for your braces, and you’ll be on your way.
03.
Adjustments
Depending on your treatment plan, you’ll swing by Dr. Melanie Orthodontics every six to eight weeks for a check-up. We’ll make adjustments, if necessary, and chat with you about your progress.
We always take the time to answer your questions and offer guidance if you need it. Thanks to the cutting-edge braces system we use, we can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for wire bending or bracket repositioning, which means fewer appointments for you and less missed work or school.
04.
Your Braces Come Off
Woo hoo! When the big day arrives, we’ll congratulate you and get down to business removing your braces. Getting your braces taken off is also completely painless.
When we’re finished, we’ll polish your teeth and let you admire your beautiful new smile in the mirror (stare as long as you want; we don’t judge!).
05.
Retainer Time
Once your braces come off, your teeth naturally want to return to their old spots. Wearing a retainer is the only way to prevent this and maintain your awesome results for life.
Your retainer will help lock your bite into place. Eventually, you’ll only need to wear it at night.
Your Path to a New Smile
At Dr. Melanie Orthodontics, our highly trained team has the knowledge and experience to ensure the braces procedure is quick, painless, and effective from your first visit to your big reveal.
To start your path to a new smile, schedule a free consultation today with our San Diego and Rancho Santa Fe orthodontist online or by calling us at (858) 613-3688 (San Diego) or (858) 255-7800 (Rancho Santa Fe).