Serving Children, Teens & Adults
At Dr. Melanie Orthodontics, we offer orthodontic treatment for patients of all ages, and we’re experienced in treating patients with special needs and high anxiety. We believe everyone deserves a beautiful smile, and our team is here to help you or your child get it!
Orthodontics in Rancho Santa Fe & San Diego
Orthodontics is a dental specialty focused on aligning the teeth and jaws to create gorgeous smiles and healthy bites. The benefits of orthodontic treatment are more than just cosmetic.
Of course, a straight smile makes you look fantastic, but it also improves your oral and overall health. You can choose from modern treatments at Dr. Melanie Orthodontics, including:
- Braces
- Invisalign
- TLC
- Clarity aligners
Orthodontics for Children
Orthodontics for Children
Patients Love Us & Parents Trust Us
The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Melanie recommend that San Diego kids see an orthodontist for an evaluation by age seven. Don’t worry! That doesn’t mean your little one will walk out of our office with a mouth full of braces!
This first visit is just so Dr. Melanie can examine your child’s teeth and jaw and ensure their growth and development are on track. In most cases, this will simply kick off an observational period.
Dr. Melanie will keep tabs on your kiddo over the years and let you know when the time is right to start treatment. However, if certain red flags are spotted, early orthodontics while a child is still growing can allow us to guide jaw growth and prevent more complex issues from developing.
The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
What if Dr. Melanie does find that your child could benefit from early treatment? If you’re unsure about going ahead, we totally get it. Early orthodontic treatment can sound a bit daunting! But rest assured, your child is in expert hands with Dr. Melanie.
Our comfortable, fun, and family-friendly offices in San Diego and Rancho Santa Fe will help you and your kids feel at home. And since information always helps, we’ve collected the ins and outs of early orthodontic treatment in this post to help you familiarize yourself with the process.
So, what kinds of issues might need early orthodontic treatment?
If your kid shows signs of having any of the following, an early, first orthodontic appointment is a good idea.
Depending on the severity, your child might benefit from early treatment so that these issues don’t become worse later on:
Protruding Front Teeth
Did your child suck their thumb into elementary school? Did they continue pushing their tongue up against the back of their front teeth well past the pureed food stage?
If so, these prolonged baby habits can affect the alignment of your kid’s front teeth. Protruding front teeth can also up your child’s chances of tooth injury or loss.
Anterior or Posterior Crossbites
This type of bite is when the jaw shifts to one side. It can result in asymmetrical jaw growth, gum recession, or excessive wear on the teeth.
Underbites & Overbites
An underbite is when the lower jaw sticks out farther than the upper jaw. The more common overbite is when the upper jaw sticks out past the lower jaw.
In either case, the teeth don’t align properly, and this can cause problems with chewing and speaking. Some kids can also feel self-conscious about their misaligned jaws.
Crowding or Overly Spaced Teeth
Do your kid’s teeth look crammed together? Or do they have big gaps between their teeth? Early or late loss of baby teeth can cause normal tooth development and spacing issues.
Orthodontics for Teens
Orthodontics for Teens
We Create Confident Smiles!
Giving your teenager the gift of a healthy, beautiful smile is huge! The confidence they gain carries over into every aspect of their life, including school and relationships. At Dr. Melanie Orthodontics, we take that responsibility seriously.
That’s why we offer personalized treatment plans to bring out the best in your teen’s unique smile. We’re also well aware of just how busy today’s teenagers and their families are and we strive to make treatment as convenient as possible.
Clear Aligners
If your teen prefers the discretion or style of clear aligners, then Invisalign® Teen has special tabs at the back to accommodate their growing molars. You’ll also get a few extra sets of clear aligners in case they get lost.
Phase 2 is all about designing a smile that’s straight, functions properly, and remains stable so your child will have healthy, beautiful teeth for the rest of their life. If Phase 1 is like the pitch, Phase 2 is like knocking it out of the park!
Custom Braces
With braces, we’ll do a quick and painless video scan. The software we use chooses the ideal braces brackets shape for the best possible outcome. Then, Dr. Melanie attaches the brackets to your teeth using custom 3D printed trays.
Because your braces are custom, you’ll have fewer adjustments and appointments. We also see less inflammation and discomfort and less time wearing braces, with better results!
Protruding Front Teeth
Did your child suck their thumb into elementary school? Did they continue pushing their tongue up against the back of their front teeth well past the pureed food stage?
If so, these prolonged baby habits can affect the alignment of your kid’s front teeth. Protruding front teeth can also up your child’s chances of tooth injury or loss.
Anterior or Posterior Crossbites
This type of bite is when the jaw shifts to one side. It can result in asymmetrical jaw growth, gum recession, or excessive wear on the teeth.
Underbites & Overbites
An underbite is when the lower jaw sticks out farther than the upper jaw. The more common overbite is when the upper jaw sticks out past the lower jaw. In either case, the teeth don’t align properly and this can cause problems with chewing and speaking. Some kids can also feel self-conscious about their misaligned jaws.
Crowding or Overly Spaced Teeth
Do your kid’s teeth look crammed together? Or do they have big gaps between their teeth? Early or late loss of baby teeth can cause issues with normal tooth development and spacing.
The Best Time for Treatment
Now that all your kid’s adult teeth have erupted, it’s the best age for full braces or Invisalign® for Teens. Dr. Melanie may also recommend retainers or expanders to get the best results.
Whether you choose modern metal braces or clear ceramic ones, we use state-of-the-art technology at Dr. Melanie Orthodontics to design your personalized, custom treatment plan. What can we say? We love using technology to give you the most comfortable and efficient experience possible!
Orthodontics for Adults
Orthodontics for Adults
Smile Solutions for Grown-Ups
Think braces are just for kids? Think again! There’s never been a better time to straighten your teeth.
More than one in four orthodontic patients are adults, and today’s treatment options go far beyond conventional braces.
Whether you had braces years ago but forgot to wear your retainer or never had the opportunity to seek treatment, we offer a customized smile design. The best part? We make it convenient and enjoyable!
Reasons for Adult Orthodontics
There are several benefits of adult orthodontic treatment, and our team makes your smile transformation easy and effective. Here are a few reasons we recommend braces or aligners for adults:
Your Teeth Can Shift
Believe it or not, your teeth don’t stop moving in adolescence. Teeth that seemed straight and aligned in youth could have shifted later in life.
This can lead to jaw pain, trouble brushing, or a smile you’re unhappy with. Getting treatment with Dr. Melanie can correct these issues and give you a comfortable, confident smile.
Look Good, Feel Good
Dr. Melanie uses orthodontic treatment to correct crooked teeth or spaces you’ve been self-conscious about for years.
Straight teeth and a great smile can give you the confidence and pride to make the most out of every aspect of your life.
Maintaining Dental Health
If you leave misaligned teeth untreated, you may develop other dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
You may also notice abnormal wear on the surface of your teeth or that it’s difficult to chew normally.
Why Choose an Orthodontist?
If you’re considering perfecting your smile with braces or clear aligners, visiting a trained orthodontist like Dr. Melanie is the best way to get the results you want.
She has the knowledge and training to determine what’s causing your malocclusion (improper bite) and to develop a personalized treatment plan to safely and effectively fix it.
Orthodontics is more complicated than just gluing on some brackets or printing out aligners. It requires a lot of planning because it causes permanent changes in your anatomy.
An expert like Dr. Melanie can find the perfect balance between cosmetics and function for outstanding results that last a lifetime.
Let's Do This!
Start your journey towards a healthy new smile today and schedule your free consultation with our expert and friendly orthodontist, Dr. Melanie.
Visit Dr. Melanie Orthodontics, and we’ll discuss your options and develop an orthodontic treatment plan designed just for your needs and smile goals.