FAQs for Orthodontics
What you need to know about orthodontic care for you and your family. Remember, you are never too old to get the smile you have always wanted. Orthodontic care is available for children, teens, and adults.
Yes, we accept most major dental plans. All major PPO plans accepted.
One of the most common questions that people have as an adult is whether they should see a dentist or an orthodontist. Many assume that a dentist will address any issues or concerns with the mouth, teeth, and gums. And while your dentist may offer limited orthodontic treatments, they generally are not licensed orthodontists who have completed specialized training in the field after dental school.
Dentists generally treat disease and decay in the teeth. The role of your dentist may include providing teeth cleanings, detecting and filling cavities, and handling your overall oral health, as noted by the American Association of Orthodontists. A dentist looks for tooth decay and will provide options for fixing any defects, such as a broken tooth.
Licensed orthodontists must have completed training beyond dental school. The training is a minimum of 2-3 additional years and is focused on the movement of the teeth and jaws. They focus on the straightening and aligning of the teeth. Their training is extensive and highly focused, which is why they often limit their practice to their specialty.
Problems with the teeth and jaw can cause serious health concerns. A misaligned jaw or overcrowding may cause your teeth to decay or wear unevenly. A bad bite (overbite, underbite, or crossbite) can cause debilitating pain.
Untreated, these issues will likely only get worse. Orthodontic problems do not clear up on their own and will not get better over time. Seeing an orthodontist can help ensure that you not only get a great smile but will also reduce your risk of problems down the road.
It is a good idea to have your child seen by an orthodontist if you notice any abnormalities or irregularities in their teeth, such as an overbite or underbite, crowding, or a gap in their teeth. Many of these issues can be corrected with orthodontic care and treatment.
The best way to determine whether your child needs an orthodontist is by checking with your dentist. If your child has reached the age of 7, they should be evaluated by an orthodontist to determine whether there are any issues that need to be addressed.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children have an evaluation by an orthodontist at age 7. While early intervention is recommended, it is essential to note that it is never too late to see an orthodontist. More and more adults are seeking orthodontic care to achieve a more perfect smile or address pain and discomfort in their jaws.
Patients need to have a dental evaluation and professional cleaning by their dentist at least once every six months. However, some patients may need to receive professional cleaning and maintenance more frequently (every three months). We will work closely with your dentist to provide you with the highest quality of comprehensive care.
Additionally, patients must have had a recent dental evaluation performed by their dentists to ensure that the teeth are free of caries and are periodontally healthy prior to beginning any orthodontic treatment.
At NobleCare Orthodontics, in addition to our comprehensive clinical evaluation, we need to have current x-rays to make a precise diagnosis and treatment plan.
At your first visit, you’ll get a feel for our office as we show you around and introduce you to our friendly team. We take time to understand what matters to you, so expect a relaxed conversation about your dental history and goals, followed by a thorough checkup.
Our NobleCare team will walk you through treatment options tailored just for you, so you leave with a clear understanding of what’s going on.
Your role is vital to getting the best results from your treatment! This means following Dr. Shayesteh's instructions, keeping up with scheduled appointments, and asking questions whenever you have them.
By brushing and flossing as recommended, wearing aligners or elastics as directed, and staying on track with your visits, you’re actively helping your treatment go smoothly.
Retainers are custom-made devices that help keep your teeth in their new positions after orthodontic treatment. Once your braces or aligners have done their job, retainers step in to prevent teeth from shifting back.
They’re usually worn at night, but your orthodontist will give you specific instructions based on your needs. Wearing a retainer as directed is essential to maintaining your superstar smile for the long haul!
Retainer treatment doesn’t have a hard end date. While you may wear your retainer full-time at first, this usually shifts to nightly wear as your teeth settle into place.
Dr. Shayesteh recommends wearing your retainers indefinitely a few nights a week to keep your smile aligned.
Aim for about 8 to 10 hours each night to keep your teeth secure in their new positions. This means popping in your retainer before bed and wearing it through the night.
FAQs for Periodontics
What you need to know about periodontal care and treatment in Encino, California. Before you can have a great smile, you need to have healthy gums. Find out more about periodontal disease and what you need to do.
The word “peri” means “around,” and the word “odont” means “tooth.” Therefore, periodontal disease is an inflammation of the tissues that are surrounding the teeth, such as the gingiva (gum), periodontal ligament, and the alveolar bone.
In the early stages, it is called gingivitis which is defined as gingival inflammation that can result in redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. In this type of periodontal disease, there is an absence of bone loss and attachment loss around the teeth.
However, untreated gingivitis may advance to periodontitis which will eventually result in the destruction of periodontal tissues, including the alveolar bone, gingiva, and periodontal ligament.
Gingivitis is the most prevalent form of periodontal (gum) disease. It is an inflammatory condition of gingival tissue, most commonly caused by bacterial plaque. Luckily, gingivitis is reversible with treatment and proper oral hygiene. However, if left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis.
Periodontitis is an inflammatory, infectious disease that affects the tooth-supporting tissues around the teeth and will progressively result in bone loss, attachment loss, formation of periodontal pockets, and eventually tooth loss if left untreated. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is irreversible.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, often emerge in the late teens or early twenties and can sometimes cause crowding or shifting of nearby teeth. If you feel pressure, it's because there's limited space in your jaw.
Retainers help keep your teeth aligned and reduce the impact of any movement from wisdom teeth coming in.
If you notice signs of crowding or discomfort as wisdom teeth develop, schedule a consultation with Dr. Shayesteh immediately. He will determine whether or not your retainers need to be modified.