Stages of treatment driven by type of the many braces options available to Mission Viejo, Ca patients

Historically, the availability of just one type of braces meant the stages each patient went through to get a better smile were essentially the same. Since there are now more options to get a straighter smile, your course of treatment may vary from that of a friend or family member wearing a different type of orthodontic appliance.

Know your options

Whereas some dentists and orthodontic providers may offer Invisalign or conventional braces, Drs. Alex and Nina Basti offer a wide range of treatments to correct misalignment and problems with the way the upper and lower teeth come together.

Instead of obvious metal, modern conventional braces may have porcelain brackets and tooth-colored wires designed to blend in with the teeth. These braces may be a more attractive option, so no one has to know you are straightening your teeth.

The straightening power of Invisalign comes not from wires and brackets, but from clear plastic aligners. These dental appliances are customized to fit your mouth. A series of aligner trays are worn throughout treatment, and they incrementally move teeth into proper place. 

Six Month Smiles combines the ease of modern-day methods like Invisalign with the straightening effectiveness of traditional braces. You are able to straighten your teeth in just 6 months, because these clear braces only move those teeth that are visible when you smile into proper place.

Know variances in the process

If Drs. Basti determine that today's attractive conventional braces are best for you, generally expect to encounter (in order):

• Appliances designed to add space to the mouth
• The corrective stage when braces are placed
• Adjustments are made; teeth are straightened and bites corrected
• Amount of time required for correction depends on the severity of teeth, jaw conditions
• Braces are removed
• Teeth are monitored by way of a retainer, which may either be removable or fixed
• Visits at least two times a year to assure results are maintained

These stages of straightening are in contrast to newer approaches, such as Invisalign, which generally include the following steps:

• A 3-D model of your mouth is created
• The course of treatment is guided by this digital impression
• You will wear a series of aligners developed to fit your mouth
• The removable aligner trays should be worn at least 20 hours every day
• Every 2 weeks you will wear another set of aligners to correspond with the treatment plan
• Check-ups occur every four to six weeks, so Drs. Basti can see how treatment is progressing
• The number of trays depends on the condition to be corrected and the severity of said condition
• Retainers may be worn to keep the dazzling results of treatment

Six Month Smiles combines the old with the new, straightening efficiently without sacrificing effectiveness by:

• Customizing and placing clear, fixed braces to fit the visible portion of your mouth
• Effectively straightening targeted teeth using gentle forces
• Changing wires, opening up spaces as necessary during review visits
• Wearing a removable or bonded retainer to maintain your newly-straightened smile

Of course, all options start with a consultation before embarking on the stages of braces treatment in Mission Viejo. Basti Dental Care will evaluate your suitability for each of these respective orthodontic treatments. Six Month Smiles, for instance, may be better suited for patients desiring purely aesthetic improvements, while conventional braces or Invisalign is equipped to correct a range of gaps, crowding or bite issues.