Orthodontic Treatments in Everett and Puyallup WA
Categories Orthodontics

Everything You Need to Know About Orthodontic Treatments

Orthodontics has become an essential part of modern dentistry, helping patients achieve straighter teeth, healthier bites, and more confident smiles. At Avenue Dental Care, with convenient locations in Everett and Puyallup, WA, we offer a comprehensive range of orthodontic treatments designed for children, teens, and adults alike.

Whether you’re looking to correct crooked teeth or fix a misaligned bite, understanding the full scope of orthodontic care can help you make informed decisions about your dental health. This guide will walk you through the essentials — from what orthodontics is, to treatment options, and what to expect on your journey to a better smile.

What Is Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic treatment focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. Using various techniques, orthodontists work to improve the alignment of teeth, enhance oral functionality, and create an aesthetically pleasing smile.

At Avenue Dental Care, orthodontic treatment isn’t just about appearance. It’s about long-term oral health, comfort, and the confidence that comes with a well-aligned smile.

Why Orthodontics Matters

While many people associate orthodontics with cosmetic improvements, its benefits extend much deeper. Properly aligned teeth and jaws contribute to healthier oral hygiene, better digestion, more balanced speech, and reduced strain on jaw muscles and joints.

Key Benefits:

  • Easier brushing and flossing
  • Reduced risk of cavities and gum disease
  • Improved bite and chewing function
  • Relief from jaw discomfort and TMJ symptoms
  • Boosted self-esteem and overall confidence

Common Orthodontic Issues We Treat

Orthodontic issues can appear early in life or develop over time. Our team at Avenue Dental Care treats a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Crowded teeth
  • Spacing/gaps between teeth
  • Overbite and underbite
  • Crossbite and open bite
  • Jaw misalignment
  • Teeth protrusion

Even minor misalignments can lead to long-term dental problems if left untreated. That’s why it’s essential to address them early or as soon as they are identified.

Orthodontic Treatment Options at Avenue Dental Care

We believe in providing personalized care using advanced techniques and tools. Based on your unique needs, we offer a variety of orthodontic treatment options.

1. Traditional Metal Braces: Modern metal braces are more effective and comfortable than ever. Using high-grade stainless steel, these braces gradually move your teeth into proper alignment using brackets and wires.

Great for: Complex misalignments, children, and teens.

2. Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces function similarly to metal braces but use tooth-colored or clear brackets for a more discreet look.

Great for: Teens and adults looking for a less noticeable option.

3. Invisalign® Clear Aligners: Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional braces. These clear, removable aligners are custom-made and gradually shift your teeth into place. They’re nearly invisible, and you can remove them to eat, brush, and floss.

Great for: Adults and teens seeking a flexible, aesthetic treatment.

4. Lingual Braces: Placed behind the teeth, lingual braces offer complete invisibility from the front. They work similarly to traditional braces but are hidden from view.

Great for: Patients who want effective correction without visible appliances.

5. Retainers: After completing active orthodontic treatment, retainers are used to maintain the new position of your teeth. Without them, your teeth can gradually shift back to their original alignment.

Types available: Removable and fixed retainers

Who Can Benefit from Orthodontic Care?

  • Children: Early evaluation around age 7 allows us to detect potential issues before they become more serious. Early intervention may reduce the need for extensive treatment later on.
  • Teenagers: The teenage years are ideal for orthodontic correction, as the body is still growing and the jaw is more responsive to treatment. This age group has the most treatment options, including braces and Invisalign Teen.
  • Adults: More adults than ever are choosing orthodontic care to enhance their smiles and correct long-standing dental concerns. With subtle and effective options like clear aligners and ceramic braces, adult orthodontics has become a practical and popular solution.

What to Expect During the Treatment Process

At Avenue Dental Care, we make the orthodontic journey as smooth and personalized as possible. Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Comprehensive Consultation: We start with a detailed consultation and diagnostic exam. This includes digital x-rays, photographs, and 3D scans to analyze your teeth and jaw structure.
  2. Personalized Treatment Plan: Our experienced dental team creates a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs. We’ll discuss the best options, expected timeline, and total cost.
  3. Getting Started: Once you’re ready, we’ll begin your orthodontic treatment. Whether you’re getting braces or starting with Invisalign, we’ll ensure you’re comfortable and informed every step of the way.
  4. Regular Appointments: Throughout your treatment, you’ll visit us regularly for adjustments and progress checks. These visits are crucial to ensuring effective movement and timely results.
  5. Retention Phase: Once your treatment is complete, we’ll provide retainers to help maintain your new smile. This phase is just as important as active treatment and ensures long-lasting results.

Why Choose Avenue Dental Care for Orthodontics?

With state-of-the-art facilities and a compassionate team of dental professionals, Avenue Dental Care is the trusted choice for orthodontic treatments in Everett and Puyallup, WA. Our focus is on delivering exceptional results with maximum comfort and convenience.

What Sets Us Apart:

  • Comprehensive orthodontic services for all ages
  • Invisalign® certified providers
  • Advanced diagnostic technology
  • Friendly, experienced orthodontic team
  • Two convenient locations in Everett and Puyallup
  • Flexible payment and financing options
  • Personalized, patient-first approach

Book Your Orthodontic Consultation Today

A confident, healthy smile is within reach—and we’re here to help you get there. Whether you’re interested in braces for your child or Invisalign for yourself, Avenue Dental Care offers top-tier orthodontic solutions in Everett and Puyallup, WA.

Braces and Invisalign in Puyallup and Everett, WA
Categories Orthodontics

Why Retainers Are Essential After Braces and Invisalign?

Your teeth and the rest of your body will keep evolving for the remainder of your life. This is why you must wear your retainer as advised by our Orthodontists in Puyallup WA once your treatment is over. Discover the other reasons for wearing your retainer following orthodontic treatment by reading on.

How Do Retainers Prevent Movement of Teeth?

Once your braces are taken off, we can better appreciate your reluctance to wear another mouth item. On the other hand, improper wearing of your retainer will cause your teeth to progressively move into their natural alignment.

Although at first you might not see your teeth moving, as time changes, it becomes increasingly obvious. If you haven’t worn your retainer in a few days, for instance, it could feel tight and uncomfortable. As long as you routinely use your retainers, they will fit.

Twelve months after braces or Invisalign: what should I expect?

The surrounding jawbone helps to somewhat hold your teeth in place. Your jawbone typically softens or vanishes during orthodontic therapy, so teeth may migrate into their correct places.

You must wear orthodontic retainers once you stop wearing metal braces or Invisalign to help hold your teeth in place while fresh bone is deposited. Your body needs nine to twelve months to grow sufficient bone to stabilize teeth.

Twelve months should have seen enough fresh bone deposited around your teeth to maintain their stability.

Does Invisalign call for retainer wear?

Indeed, following Invisalign treatment, you will have to wear a retainer. The outcome is the same even though Invisalign moves teeth differently than braces. Following any type of tooth alignment, you will have to wear retainers.

Different Types of Retainers

There are two main kinds of retainers: fixed and detachable. Your particular dental condition will determine the kind of retainer you are given, but it is not unusual for people to get both. For the front teeth, for instance, a detachable retainer; for the bottom, a fixed retainer.

They are exactly what they are—removable retainers. Our orthodontists will let you know exactly how long you will need to wear your retainer full-time and then how often it should be used long-term. You must make sure to follow the directions on cleaning the retainer.

Fixed retainers are fastened to your teeth in an invisible manner, say on the rear of your teeth. Extra care will be needed with this kind of retainer since it cannot be taken off to eliminate food particles and stop periodontal problems.

What happens if I lose my retainer?

Just call our office to make an appointment should you misplace your retainer. Whether the dog ate your retainer or you unintentionally dropped it on your lunch plate, we can get you fitted for a new retainer right away to prevent losing the advancement achieved with orthodontic treatment. We will imprint your teeth during your visit to make a new retainer.

Should your retainer be tight? What does that mean?

If you haven’t worn your retainer as often as our orthodontists advised or recently, it could feel tight. This is so because your teeth start moving toward their natural locations very slowly. As you age, your teeth naturally move a little.

See one of our orthodontists if your retainer seems quite tight. Try not to shove the appliance between your teeth.