Orthodontists are dental specialists who are trained in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of irregularities surrounding the mouth, jaw, and teeth. Orthodontists provide a wide range of treatments to straighten crooked teeth, correct bad bites, and align the jaws. 

After graduating dental school, orthodontists must complete orthodontic residency. To become an orthodontist, it takes about 10 to 11 years total before they become licensed and certified to practice. This includes four years of undergraduate school, four years of dental school, and two to three years of an accredited orthodontic residency program.

Orthodontists are mainly known for straightening teeth, but they also specialize in treating painful and misaligned bites, as well as misalignment of teeth caused by bad habits such as thumb sucking, as well as some forms of sleep apnea. 

At Salo & Salo Dental, our team specializes in many different types of orthodontic treatment. If you are seeking a trusted and highly experienced orthodontist in Los Angeles, contact us to schedule a consultation.

Your oral health is essentially a window into your overall health, so it is imperative to take care of your oral health as much as possible to prevent issues later down the line. Orthodontic treatment is extremely important, as it helps provide patients with the treatment necessary for their teeth to function properly, creating a healthy smile. When teeth are misaligned or overcrowded, it makes it very difficult to properly clean and can damage tooth enamel, resulting in extensive and costly dental procedures later on.

However, it is important to know that orthodontic treatment isn’t a quick fix. In fact, it involves many different changes in the bone structure, including the jaw, face, teeth, and soft tissues. Orthodontic treatment allows your teeth to move into their new positions, which takes time but is extremely beneficial to your oral and overall health. 

Orthodontic treatment first starts out with an examination of the teeth and mouth, which involves x-rays, photos, and models of the teeth. This allows your orthodontist to get a thorough look of your teeth and mouth in order to create a customized treatment plan specific to your needs. It is important to know that every patient’s smile is completely different, so every treatment plan differs.

Seeking orthodontic treatment certainly results in life-enhancing changes, including your oral health, overall health, social life, professional life, and overall confidence. Orthodontic treatment can improve the way you eat, speak, and chew, as it also improves your bite. 

If you notice any of the following signs or concerns in your or your child, then it may be time to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty with biting or chewing
• Bad oral habits, such as thumb sucking
• Crowded or misplaced teeth
• Jaws that make sounds, shift, or recessed
• Speech difficulties
• Abnormal bite (i.e. biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth 
• Protruding teeth
• Teeth that don’t meet or meet in an abnormal way
• Facial asymmetry
• Clenching or grinding of the teeth
• Mouth breathing
• Inability to close lips properly

There are many different types of orthodontic issues that one can experience, including:

• Crossbite
• Crowding
• Spacing
• Improper bite
• Improper eruption
• Impacted teeth

At Salo & Salo Dental, we offer different orthodontic treatments for patients, including:

• Metal braces
• Ceramic braces
• Lingual braces
• Invisalign
• Invisalign Teen

If you are interested in seeking orthodontic treatment, contact our team to schedule a consultation with our orthodontist in West Hollywood and we can explain in detail each treatment that we offer and what may be best for you. Our team is here to help provide you with the best services and results so you can have a healthy and beautiful smile!