young-girl-with-bracesFor many people, the thought of braces might immediately conjure images of children with metal brackets and wires on their teeth. The natural connotation between children and braces may, in part, be due to the fact that orthodontic treatment is often prescribed in a child’s early years. Problems with a child’s occlusion (the way teeth fit together) and bite balance can become exponentially worse as the jawbone and teeth continue to grow. With a wide variety of options and designs for children’s braces, Century City orthodontist, Dr. David Alpan, can help straighten your child’s teeth early, preventing potentially serious orthodontic issues that might require invasive procedures to correct as an adult.

The Science of Early Orthodontics

Early orthodontics, commonly called Phase I orthodontics, is useful when a child exhibits malocclusion while primary teeth are still present. Although your child’s first set of teeth are destined to fall out eventually, their good health and proper function is vital while they remain present. Aside from decorating your child’s smile, primary teeth also serve as supportive placeholders that help guide the growth of your child’s permanent teeth and jawbone. If not treated, then misaligned primary teeth can lead to improper, crooked eruption of permanent teeth. To address childhood issues, Dr. Alpan can prescribe braces or other orthodontic treatment to help ensure that your child’s adult teeth grow in correctly, and that your child’s bite remains properly aligned.

The Right Option for Everyone

Although adult orthodontics, such as Invisalign clear braces, won’t suffice as early orthodontic treatment, Dr. Alpan offers numerous treatment options that offer optimal comfort and discretion. Aside from braces to straighten crooked teeth and crowded spacing, we also offer a variety of orthodontic appliances, including;

  • Rapid palatial expander—a special appliance that widens the roof of the mouth and can expand the upper jaw to correct a crossbite (when teeth grow at an angle, instead of vertically).
  • Removable Dentofacial-Orthopedic Appliances—an appliance designed to correct disproportionate jaw growth, such as facial asymmetric growth (crooked lower jaw).
  • Lingual arch—an appliance that fits along the inside arch of the lower teeth to improve crowding and maintain space for the growth of permanent teeth.

About Dr. Alpan:

With offices in Los Angeles and Century City, Alpan Orthodontics has proudly served patients and their families from all surrounding communities since 1999. To schedule your orthodontic consultation, contact our Los Angeles office at 213-513-7559 to find the location nearest to you.