Orthodontic Treatment
Dr. Buto and Dr. Alter provide a full range of orthodontic services for children and adults, including traditional braces, clear braces, Invisalign®, functional appliances, habit appliances, mouth guards and retainers. Orthodontic treatment has changed dramatically over the years. Advanced technology now allows us to treat cases more comfortably, in less time and with fewer appointments. Please see our FAQ for answers to many questions you may have regarding your orthodontic treatment.
Your treatment will be based upon the classification of your bite and your own unique orthodontic disorder. Our office is committed to providing you with the highest quality of care. We will make every effort to ensure that your first visit with us is a comfortable and informative experience. Our practice offers a wide range of payment options and we will gladly work with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures. Please contact us at one of our three Southern California offices if you have any questions:
Orthodontics
The bite, or occlusion, may be better understood as the relationship between your upper and lower teeth and jaws. A normal relationship results in a balanced bite. A malocclusion where the upper jaw projects forward beyond the lower jaw is know as an overbite, whereas an underbite is a malocclusion in which the lower jaw projects beyond the upper jaw. Dr. Alter and Dr. Buto develop individual treatment plans based on the classification and degree of your diagnosis, including braces, teeth expansion therapy, spacing crowded teeth, serial extraction and jaw surgery.
Braces
Orthodontic braces move your teeth into their proper positions by exerting constant, gentle pressure over time. Your braces, therefore, are working every moment throughout your journey. Applying light pressure over time will orthodontically reposition your teeth to reach their desired final positions. Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert force that enables tooth movement. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn as instructed and changed every few hours.
Invisalign® Clear Braces
Invisalign® clear braces are clear, removable, aligners that gradually move teeth without using metal braces or wires. Invisalign® is an appropriate treatment when the teeth are fully erupted (adult) and there is not a large degree of crowding, spacing or malocclusion. The aligners must be worn full time, day and night, and they should only be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing. Aligners are created from special impressions that are taken of your teeth.