Orthodontics

Social Confidence and Self-Esteem

We understand that teenagers are particularly conscious about their appearance and how their peers perceive them. That’s why our San Diego teenage orthodontist takes extra time to discuss treatment options and address any concerns your teen may have about wearing braces. We’ve helped countless San Diego teens navigate their orthodontic journey while maintaining their confidence and social comfort.

Sports and Extracurricular Activities

Many of our teenage patients are involved in school sports, marching band, drama club, and other activities. We provide specialized orthodontic mouthguards for teen athletes and can recommend modifications for students who play wind instruments. Our goal is to ensure that braces enhance rather than limit your teen’s participation in the activities they love.

Independence in Orthodontic Care

Teenagers are developing greater independence in managing their health care, and orthodontic treatment is an excellent opportunity to teach responsibility. We work directly with teen patients to help them understand their treatment plan, maintain proper oral hygiene, and take ownership of their orthodontic journey while keeping parents informed of progress.

Among the most appealing benefits of clear aligner therapy is the complete dietary freedom it provides. Since these removable devices must be taken out during meals, patients can continue consuming all their preferred snacks and beverages without limitations.

While clear aligners eliminate eating restrictions entirely, maintaining proper hygiene for these devices remains critical. Clean your teeth and use dental floss following each meal to prevent food particles and bacterial accumulation within your orthodontic appliances. Post-meal oral care becomes particularly crucial after consuming chewy or hard foods that might lodge between teeth and compromise aligner cleanliness.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) suggests scheduling your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday. Starting preventive care early gives children the best chance at avoiding cavities as they grow. With the right amount of fluoride, consistent brushing habits, a nutritious diet, and routine dental checkups, your child can build a strong foundation for lifelong oral health. If you’d like to learn more about caring for your baby’s teeth, we invite you to give us a call to come in for a consultation.

For Your Child:

• Reduced anxiety and fear
• Comfortable treatment experience
• Little to no memory of potentially stressful procedures
• Ability to receive necessary care without trauma
• Development of positive dental associations

For Parents:

• Peace of mind knowing your child is comfortable
• Efficient completion of necessary treatment
• Reduced stress for the entire family
• Confidence in your child’s dental care experience

For Treatment Success:

• Better cooperation during procedures
• More precise and thorough treatment
• Ability to complete extensive work in fewer visits
• Improved long-term oral health outcomes

Absolutely! We recommend a custom mouthguard for sports to protect their braces and teeth. Most kiddos adjust quickly to playing instruments with braces — it just takes a little practice.

Braces don’t usually hurt, but you might feel some pressure or soreness for a few days after getting them on or after an adjustment. Don’t worry—it goes away quickly, and we’ll share tips to make the transition smooth and comfortable.

Many individuals mistakenly believe that dental professionals and orthodontic specialists perform identical functions, however, their services differ significantly, with each playing an essential role in maintaining comprehensive mouth health. Your general dental practitioner concentrates mainly on preventive care and cavity prevention, whereas our specialized orthodontic staff at Juni Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics focuses on creating your ideal tooth alignment. Regular visits to your family dentist remain necessary throughout clear aligner therapy, since these removable devices can harbor harmful microorganisms and lead to destructive tartar formation without proper professional monitoring.

• Schedule dental visits early and keep them consistent
• Encourage thorough brushing two to three times daily and flossing once a day
• Establish a daily routine that includes nutritious meals and limits sugary treats
• Ensure your child gets the right amount of fluoride through water, toothpaste, or supplements
• Follow your dentist’s advice on when to apply protective sealants to your child’s teeth

Fortunately, maintaining your clear aligners requires minimal effort and follows a straightforward routine similar to your daily oral hygiene habits. Simply use your regular toothbrush to gently scrub the aligners, followed by a thorough rinse with tepid water. This cleaning process effectively eliminates accumulated food particles and harmful bacteria from the aligner surfaces.

Given that optimal treatment outcomes depend on wearing your aligners for a minimum of 20-22 hours daily, failing to properly maintain these devices can result in dangerous plaque accumulation that may cause cavities and dental decay. Consequently, it’s crucial to sanitize your aligners twice daily – once upon waking before insertion and again at bedtime after removal. Make aligner maintenance part of your regular tooth brushing schedule for best results!

Brushing and flossing are extra important with braces. We’ll show your child (and you!) how to brush around brackets and use special flossers to keep their smile clean and healthy.

Some common signs include crowded or crooked teeth, an overbite or underbite, or if their teeth don’t come together properly when they bite. But sometimes, problems are hidden. That’s why an orthodontic evaluation is the best way to know for sure. Best of all we offer free evaluations for all first time patients!

Cavities don’t happen by chance—they need four things to develop: a tooth, bacteria, carbohydrates (like sugars), and time. Plaque is a thin, invisible film of bacteria that constantly builds up on the surface of teeth. When your child eats, especially sugary or starchy foods, the bacteria in plaque feed on those sugars and produce acid. That acid wears away the protective outer layer of the tooth, called enamel. Over time, repeated acid exposure leads to decay and eventually a cavity. Put simply: the more often your child’s teeth are exposed to sugar throughout the day, the greater the risk of cavities forming!

Treatment time varies depending on the complexity of the case, but most people wear braces or aligners for 12–24 months. We’ll give you and your child a custom plan so you know exactly what to expect—and we’ll cheer you on every step of the way!

Generally speaking, clear aligner therapy carries a price tag similar to traditional metal orthodontics. The professionals at Juni Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics firmly believe that every patient should have access to exceptional smile transformation opportunities.

As your clear aligners work diligently to straighten your teeth, our administrative staff works equally hard to make treatment affordable within your family’s financial parameters. We remain dedicated to collaborating with various dental insurance companies and developing flexible financing options that accommodate diverse economic circumstances.

Most patients come in every 8-10 weeks for adjustments and progress checks. These visits are quick and super important to keep treatment on track.

Dietary Considerations

While some food restrictions apply during orthodontic treatment, we help teens navigate these changes without feeling deprived. We provide comprehensive lists of braces-friendly foods and suggest alternatives to problematic snacks and treats. Many of our San Diego teen patients discover new favorite foods during their treatment!

Managing Discomfort

Modern orthodontic treatment is more comfortable than ever, but some initial adjustment is normal. We provide detailed instructions for managing any temporary discomfort and are always available to address concerns. Most teens adapt quickly to their braces and forget they’re even wearing them within a few days.

Emergency Care

Occasionally, orthodontic emergencies occur – a broken bracket, loose wire, or lost aligner. We provide 24/7 emergency contact information and quick solutions to get teens back to their normal activities as soon as possible.

The Confidence That Comes with a Great Smile

The benefits of teen orthodontic treatment extend far beyond straight teeth. Research shows that teenagers with confident smiles perform better academically, socially, and in extracurricular activities. Many of our San Diego teen patients report increased self-confidence, improved social interactions, and greater willingness to participate in activities like school pictures, presentations, and social events.

A frequent concern parents bring up is when their child appears to have two rows of teeth at once. This situation happens often and can sometimes require monitoring. In most cases, giving it some time—typically around 8 to 10 weeks—and encouraging the child to gently wiggle the baby tooth will help it come loose, allowing the adult tooth to come in properly. Occasionally, we may need to remove the baby tooth ourselves. But generally, once the baby tooth is out, the permanent tooth settles into the right place without any issues.

Similar to traditional orthodontics, following completion of your clear aligner therapy, you must use retention devices to preserve your enhanced dental alignment. Initially, these protective appliances require continuous wear throughout each day, however after several months pass, usage transitions to nighttime-only scheduling. Neglecting this retention protocol may result in tooth movement that reverses the positive improvements achieved during your orthodontic journey.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

If something feels loose or pokes the mouth, give us a call. We’ll walk you through what to do and get your child in for a quick repair if needed.

Pediatric dentists are dental professionals who specialize in caring for infants, children, and teens. We’re committed to delivering top-notch dental care and guidance to help kids develop healthy, cavity-free smiles. Think of us as the tooth experts for children—like pediatricians, but for oral health! While we do treat cavities, our main focus is on prevention and tracking your child’s dental development as they grow. Our offices are designed just for kids, and we’re specially trained to care for children with unique medical or behavioral needs.

Pre-Treatment

Warm welcome and comfort measures
Final health assessment
Sedation administration with continuous monitoring
Waiting for an appropriate sedation level

During Treatment

Continuous monitoring and comfort measures
Efficient completion of necessary dental work
Regular assessment of sedation level
Parent updates on progress

Recovery

Gradual awakening in a comfortable setting
Monitoring until discharge criteria are met
Post-treatment instructions and follow-up scheduling
Support for any questions or concerns

Initial Consultation and Treatment Planning

Your teen’s orthodontic journey at Juni Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics begins with a comprehensive consultation where we assess their specific needs, discuss treatment goals, and explore all available options. We use advanced diagnostic technology to create precise treatment plans tailored to each teenage patient’s unique situation.

Treatment Timeline for Teen Braces

Most teenage orthodontic treatment takes 18-24 months, though this varies based on the complexity of each case. Regular appointments every 6-8 weeks ensure steady progress and allow us to make any necessary adjustments. We understand that teenagers have busy schedules, so we offer flexible appointment times to accommodate school and extracurricular activities.

Oral Hygiene During Treatment

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene becomes even more critical during orthodontic treatment. We provide specialized tools and techniques to help teenage patients keep their teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment. Our doctors teach proper brushing and flossing techniques specific to each type of braces or aligners.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first check-up by age 7. At this stage, we can spot early signs of bite issues—even if your kiddo still has baby teeth! Of course, teens and adults can benefit from orthodontic care too—it’s never too late to improve your smile.

Braces use brackets and wires to move teeth, and they’re great for all types of cases. Clear aligners, like Invisalign®, are removable trays that are nearly invisible—ideal for people who want a more discreet look. Both are effective; we’ll help you choose what works best for your lifestyle and smile goals.

It’s easy to think baby teeth don’t matter much since they eventually fall out—but they actually play a big role in your child’s overall health and development. These early teeth help kids pronounce words correctly, chew their food effectively, and hold the space needed for adult teeth to come in properly. Some baby molars stay in place until ages 12 or 13—and in some cases, even longer!

If tooth decay in baby teeth isn’t treated, it can lead to serious problems like pain, infection, abscesses, and early tooth loss, which may also harm developing permanent teeth. Losing baby teeth too soon can cause crowding or alignment issues as adult teeth come in, and it may even impact your child’s facial structure. Whether your child is just getting their first tooth or has a full set, we’re here to keep their smile healthy at every stage.

Yes! Retainers keep your teeth from shifting after treatment. Whether it’s a clear retainer your child wears at night or one that stays in place, we’ll guide your child on how to keep their new smile looking great for years to come.