Braces straighten teeth and correct bite problems using gentle, steady pressure over time. At Kids Dental Pals & Orthodontics in Simi Valley, every set of braces is planned and supervised by Dr. Ronnie, an SCO Board Certified Orthodontist, in an office built around kids and teens.
Get a Complimentary Orthodontic Consultation
Schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation and find out whether braces are the right fit for your child.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common option for children and teens, and for good reason. They handle nearly every kind of tooth movement, they are durable enough for active kids, and today’s brackets are noticeably smaller and more comfortable than the ones parents may remember. Patients can choose the color of the elastic ties at each adjustment visit, which for a lot of kids turns into the best part of the appointment.
Problems Braces Can Treat
Braces correct a wide range of concerns, including:
- Crowding when there is not enough room for teeth to line up
- Spacing and gaps between teeth
- Overbite when upper front teeth cover the lower teeth too much
- Overjet when upper front teeth stick out ahead of the lower teeth
- Underbite when lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth
- Crossbite when upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth
- Open bite when front teeth do not touch when the back teeth are closed
- Rotated or tipped teeth that need to be turned into position
- Impacted teeth that need guidance to come in
Not sure which one describes your child? Our page on common orthodontic problems walks through each one.
What Happens When Braces Are Placed
Placement usually takes one to two hours, and there are no shots and no drilling. We clean and dry the teeth, apply a bonding material, and attach each bracket to the front of the tooth. Once the brackets are set, a thin archwire is threaded through them and held in place with small elastic ties. Most kids are surprised by how straightforward the visit is. Teeth commonly feel tender for three to five days afterward as they begin to move, and soft foods plus children’s over-the-counter pain relief handle it well.
Adjustment Appointments
Your child will see us regularly so we can check progress and keep treatment moving. At each visit we may change the archwire, replace the elastic ties, or add components that guide specific movements. These appointments are short. Mild soreness for a day or two afterward is normal and fades quickly. Dr. Ronnie will set the visit schedule that fits your child’s plan.
What Affects How Long Treatment Takes
Every case is different. Treatment time depends on:
- How much the teeth and bite need to move
- Your child’s age and stage of growth
- Whether jaw alignment is being corrected along with the teeth
- How consistently elastics or other appliances are worn
- Keeping scheduled adjustment visits
- How well brackets are protected from breakage
Dr. Ronnie will give you a realistic estimate at the consultation, based on your child’s actual bite rather than an average. Wearing elastics as directed and keeping appointments are the two things families control that make the biggest difference.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
Most breakages come down to food. Skip:
- Sticky and chewy foods such as gum, taffy, caramel, and fruit snacks
- Hard and crunchy foods such as ice, hard candy, popcorn, whole nuts, and hard pretzels
- Foods you bite into directly such as whole apples, corn on the cob, and hard rolls
Crisp foods are fine when cut into small pieces. Chewing on pens, pencils, and fingernails breaks brackets too, so it is worth mentioning to your child.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Braces give plaque more places to hide, so hygiene matters more than usual. Have your child brush after every meal, angling the brush to clean above and below the brackets along the gumline. Floss threaders or orthodontic flossers make it possible to floss under the archwire, and a water flosser is a genuinely useful addition. Because we are a pediatric dental and orthodontic office under one roof, your child can keep up with regular cleanings and checkups here during orthodontic treatment, and our teams share notes.
Sports and Mouthguards
Kids in braces can absolutely keep playing sports. We recommend an orthodontic mouthguard, which is made to fit comfortably over brackets and protects both the appliance and your child’s lips and teeth from impact. Ask us at any appointment and we will help you get the right one.
Broken Brackets and Poking Wires
A loose bracket or a wire poking the cheek is common and almost never an emergency. Orthodontic wax over the spot brings quick relief. Call our office and we will advise whether your child needs to be seen sooner or can wait until the next visit. Our orthodontic emergencies page has step-by-step instructions to keep on hand.
Retainers After Braces
The day the braces come off is not quite the end. Teeth naturally drift back toward their old positions, and retainers are what hold the result in place. Your child will receive retainers right after braces are removed, along with instructions on how long to wear them each day. Skipping retainer wear is the single most common reason a straightened smile shifts. Learn more on our retainers page.
Cost, Insurance, and Financing
The cost of braces depends on how complex the case is and how long treatment takes, which is why we quote a specific number at the consultation rather than a range online. Many dental plans include an orthodontic benefit, often with a lifetime maximum that applies per patient. We review your benefits with you and go through payment options before treatment starts, so there are no surprises. See our orthodontic financing and insurance page for details.
Braces Treatment Supervised by an SCO Board Certified Orthodontist
Every treatment plan at Kids Dental Pals & Orthodontics is evaluated and supervised by Dr. Ronnel “Ronnie” Azizollahi. Dr. Ronnie is an SCO Board Certified Orthodontist and a double graduate of UC San Francisco, where she completed both dental school and her orthodontic residency. She plans, monitors, and adjusts your child’s care from the first visit through the final result. Read Dr. Ronnie’s full biography.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can my child get braces?
It depends on the bite, not just the birthday. Most children get comprehensive braces between ages 10 and 14, once most permanent teeth are in. Some benefit from an earlier phase of treatment first. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age seven, which is why we offer a complimentary evaluation.
Do braces hurt?
Placement itself does not hurt. Teeth feel tender for three to five days afterward, and mildly sore for a day or so after adjustments. Soft foods and children’s over-the-counter pain relief handle it well.
Can my child still see the dentist during orthodontic treatment?
Yes, and it matters more than usual. Cleanings and checkups continue on schedule. Because our pediatric dental and orthodontic teams work in the same office, we coordinate both sides of your child’s care.
Braces or Invisalign for my teen?
Both can produce excellent results, and the right answer depends on the case and on your teen. Braces handle complex movements and do not rely on the patient remembering to wear them. Our Invisalign for teens page compares the two in detail.
What if a bracket breaks?
Call us. Cover any sharp spot with orthodontic wax in the meantime. Most broken brackets are handled at a regular visit or a short added appointment.
Related Orthodontic Care
Learn more about how this fits into your child’s care:
Schedule Your Child’s Appointment Today
Book a complimentary orthodontic consultation and find out whether braces are the right next step.
