Orthodontics
Orthodontics aligns your teeth and your bite so they work together properly. Straight teeth look better, but the bigger gains are practical: easier cleaning, more even wear, and less strain on your jaw.
Orthodontics in Northridge, CA
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with aligning teeth and correcting the bite so the two work in balance. People usually come in because of how their teeth look. They tend to stay for what alignment does to how their mouth functions.
What orthodontic treatment corrects
Crowded teeth
Teeth overlapping because there is not enough room in the arch. Crowding creates spots that floss and a brush cannot properly reach.
Crooked teeth
Teeth rotated or tilted out of position, which affects both appearance and how evenly the bite distributes force.
Gaps between teeth
Spacing that can trap food and leave gum tissue exposed where a neighbouring tooth would normally protect it.
Bite problems
Overbite, underbite, open bite, and crossbite. These are about how the upper and lower teeth meet, not just how they look.
Why alignment matters beyond appearance
Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, which lowers the risk of decay and gum disease over a lifetime. An even bite spreads chewing force across all the teeth instead of overloading a few, so they wear at a similar rate rather than some wearing out early.
Bite problems can also contribute to jaw discomfort. Where jaw pain is the primary complaint rather than the appearance of the teeth, our craniofacial pain care is the better starting point.
Your treatment options
There is no single right answer. What suits you depends on how far the teeth need to move, how complex the bite correction is, and how you feel about wearing something visible for months.
Invisalign® clear aligners
A series of clear, custom-made, removable trays that move teeth gradually. No brackets or wires, so there is nothing to irritate the inside of your mouth and nothing to work around when you brush and floss. You take them out to eat, which means no food restrictions.
The trays are nearly invisible, which is why most adult patients ask about them first.
Fixed braces
Brackets bonded to the teeth and connected by an archwire. Less discreet, but capable of movements that aligners cannot reliably achieve, particularly in complex bite corrections or where teeth need substantial rotation.
Being fixed in place also removes the compliance question, which matters for younger patients.
Which one is right for you
Clear aligners handle a wide range of cases, but not every case. We would rather tell you honestly at the consultation that your situation calls for braces than start you on a treatment that will not get you where you want to go.
Either way, the assessment comes first: we look at your bite, explain what is realistically achievable, and give you a timeline before you commit to anything.
Frequently asked questions about orthodontics
No. Teeth can be moved at any age, and adults make up a large share of orthodontic patients now. Treatment may take somewhat longer in an adult because the bone is denser, but the outcome is the same.
Appearance is usually what brings people in, but alignment affects function. Crowded teeth are harder to clean properly, which raises decay and gum disease risk. An uneven bite wears some teeth faster than others and can contribute to jaw discomfort.
It depends on how far the teeth need to move and how complex the bite correction is. Invisalign handles a wide range of cases, but some situations are better treated with fixed braces. We assess and tell you which applies rather than fitting you to one answer.
Anywhere from several months to a couple of years, depending on what needs correcting. You will get a realistic estimate at your consultation, before you commit to anything.
Teeth drift back toward their old positions if nothing holds them, so a retainer is part of every case. Wearing it as directed is what protects the result you just paid for.
Not sure what your teeth need? A consultation answers it.
Find out what your options are
Book a consultation and we will assess your bite, explain what can realistically be achieved, and give you a straight answer on timeline.