Braces in Huntington Beach
Braces are still the most dependable way to straighten teeth and fix a bite, and for some cases they work better than any aligner. Surf City Orthodontics has been putting braces on Huntington Beach families for more than 40 years, across two generations of doctors. Your first exam is free, and you leave it knowing whether braces, clear braces, or Invisalign is the right tool for your mouth.
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Why choose braces?
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Braces move teeth with steady, precise pressure from brackets and wires, fully under the orthodontist's control. That control is the point. Severe crowding, large bite corrections, rotated teeth: these respond to braces predictably, which is why orthodontists still reach for them after 100 years of alternatives. They also never get left in a lunchbox, which parents of 12-year-olds tend to appreciate.Dr. Andrew Levin is a board certified orthodontist who grew up here in Huntington Beach. Dr. Patrice Punim has been treating local families since 1981. Between them, more than 5,000 patients have finished treatment in this office.
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Metal braces or clear braces?
Both do the same job. Today's metal braces are smaller and more comfortable than the ones parents remember, and they are the sturdier choice for kids and teens. Clear braces use ceramic brackets that blend into the color of your teeth, so they show far less in photos and meetings. Adults and image-conscious teens usually pick clear; the trade-off is that ceramic brackets need a little more care. We'll show you both at your exam and let you decide with the brackets in your hand.
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Digital bracket placement, not guesswork
Most offices place brackets by eye, one tooth at a time. We use digital indirect bonding instead: a digital scan of your teeth drives software that plans the exact position of every bracket before you sit down, and the whole set is placed in one appointment using a custom tray. Precise placement from day one means fewer adjustments later, and fewer adjustments means fewer trips to our office on Talbert Avenue in Huntington Beach.
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What can I expect my treatment to look like?
Most braces cases finish in 18 to 24 months, with checkups every 6 to 8 weeks. Simple cases like minor corrections can finish faster than that. After the braces come off, a retainer keeps your smile in place; and is an important part of your treatment.
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SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTBraces in Huntington Beach FAQs
It depends on the complexity of you or your child's case, but in general it ranges from $1800 to $7000 with financing available to bring monthly payments as low as $200 per month. At the initial exam we check your insurance's orthodontic benefit and set up a monthly payment plan, if you would like one. The initial consultation is completely complimentary. No fee, no obligation.
Usually 18 to 24 months. Small corrections can finish inside a year. Your checkups every 6 to 8 weeks are where we keep you updated on progression. Call (714) 842-4148 or schedule online to set it up.
There might be some discomfort, but normally, there isn't a lot of pain. Your teeth and gums might be sore for a few days after placement and after some adjustments, similar to an ache after a hard workout, and if necessary, over-the-counter pain relievers in addition to eating soft foods normally handle it. Most patients stop noticing the braces entirely within a couple of weeks.
Anything hard, sticky, or chewy: ice, popcorn kernels, caramel, gum, whole apples (slice them instead). Many broken brackets can possibly add weeks to treatment, so the list of foods is worth avoiding, if possible. Everything soft is normally fair game from day one.
No. Healthy teeth move at any age, and adult treatment is common in this office. Many adults choose clear braces or Invisalign for discretion, but plenty pick metal because of cost or complexity of case.
Whichever your diagnosis calls for, with your input. Aligners handle most cases well and braces can handle virtually every case; complex bites and certain tooth movements might lend itself more to braces. We offer both at the highest level, so the recommendation you get at your free exam is based on your case. We also listen to what you would like and will do everything we can to give you the treatment modality you choose, with the best outcome.