Complimentary Initial Consultation
Dr. Kim and his team members are always excited about meeting new patients. Your initial appointment will consist of a thorough clinical examination, panoramic x-ray, and a discussion of potential treatment options. During this appointment, we will address any questions that you may have regarding orthodontic treatment. The Pine Smiles team would love to show you how we can help you achieve optimal dental health and the smile of your dreams. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Early Prevention Treatment (Phase I Treatment)
By age 7, most children have a mix of adult and baby teeth. Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. That’s important, because some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are found early. Early evaluation can prevent more serious problems from developing later and often simplify later treatment and/or prevent surgery or tooth extractions.
For these reasons, the American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Kim emphasize the importance of seeking an orthodontic evaluation early; by the age of 7.
Even if a problem is detected, Dr. Kim may take a “wait-and-see” approach, checking on your child from time to time as the permanent teeth come in and the jaws and face continue to grow. For each patient who needs treatment, there’s an ideal time for treatment to begin in order to achieve the best results.
In some cases, Dr. Kim might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing, and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. Typically, early treatment involves the use of orthodontic appliances to guide the growth of your child's bones and create a better foundation for adult teeth as they emerge. In some cases, Dr. Kim will be able to achieve results that wouldn’t be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
Adolescent Treatment
The majority of orthodontic patients are adolescents with treatment initiated after the primary teeth have been lost and the permanent teeth have erupted. There is still potential for growth that helps with some bite corrections. Correcting misalignments, improving function, and creating great smiles improves teenagers self esteem and confidence.
At Pine Smiles, Dr. Kim offers a full range of treatments specifically designed for each teenager in order to provide them an improved smile and healthier bite. From traditional braces to “invisible” braces to Invisalign Teen: the number of effective treatment options is constantly growing for each patient.
Adult Treatment
There is no age limit for orthodontic treatment. It is never too late to achieve the smile you have always dreamed of. More and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment. And they should. With healthy gums and bone structure, teeth can be straightened at any age. By seeking orthodontic treatment as an adult you can possibly avoid severe tooth decay, gum and bone loss, irregular wear of the tooth enamel, and TMJ/TMD pain. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so whether you want to correct functional problems or just improve your smile, we would love to help you reach your goals!
At Pine Smiles, Dr. Kim and his team offer a wide selection of treatments to meet the individual needs and desires of each of our adult patients. From traditional metal braces and ceramic clear braces to Invisalign, we are confident we can help you achieve and maintain the beautiful, healthy smile you’ve always dreamed about.
Invisalign and Invisalign Teen
For the patients who want the benefits of beautiful straight teeth without going through braces, Invisalign is a series of custom-made, clear aligners suited to adults and teens with minor orthodontic problems. The Invisalign aligners gradually move teeth into proper alignment. The major benefit of Invisalign is that this treatment makes the process nearly invisible. A proper assessment will identify whether Invisalign would be an ideal method for you.