Orthodontics — Visible or Invisible? You Decide.

Where periodontists restore gum health and endodontists focus on tooth health, orthodontists are concerned with the position of your teeth and the various pressures that can shift them in and out of proper alignment.

If you suffer from the adverse effects of spacing, crowding, misalignment, an excessive bite or teeth that are rotated, broken or fractured, orthodontics is the solution. We use two proven methods to create the ideal location for each tooth inside your mouth:

1. Traditional Braces — dependable metal or clear braces are a cost-effective way to direct your teeth back into proper alignment. Straighter teeth minimize the creation of large pockets between your gums that can become food traps. Proper alignment also reduces inappropriate occlusal pressures from causing undue wear on your teeth. Like balancing the wheels of a vehicle, braces can contribute to the healthy function and sustainable longevity of your teeth.
2. Invisalign — Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces that uses a series of progressive, removable, transparent aligners that straighten your teeth without compromising the beauty of your smile. Each aligner looks like a thin, clear mouth guard. Invisalign continues to garner nationwide praise and notoriety for its superior effectiveness, comfort and convenience.

Have your teeth shifted enough since you wore braces as a child that you might consider straightening them again? Call our Gardena office for a complimentary diagnosis of your mouth.

Proper Tooth Alignment by Our Torrance Dental Experts

Although traditional braces and removable aligners produce the same results, the process for achieving them varies considerably.

After an initial diagnosis, our Torrance dentist may request the extraction of one or more teeth in crowding cases. In some cases, an expansion of the palate may be needed to achieve ideal tooth placement and bite position.

Ceramic or metal brackets can be affixed to the front or back of your teeth, depending on the goals of the procedure. A Hawthorne dental expert can attach upper and lower wires and may also request that you wear bands or chains from time to time in order to move teeth in a certain direction.

For the Invisalign process, our Hawthorne dentist will take digital photos, an impression and a bite registration. This information is sent to Invisalign’s lab to create a digital 3D slide show that allows you to see the gradual alignment of your teeth in minutes.

The advantages of Invisalign are fairly compelling. It is capable of aligning your teeth in up to 50% less time. It won’t irritate your cheeks or gums. It can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing — and it won’t alter the appearance of your teeth at all. You wear each aligner for two weeks until the process is complete.

Are you tired of peering into the mirror at unsightly, misaligned teeth? Do something about it! Call Dr. Azizi's office to schedule a complimentary orthodontics consultation.