Treatments

Why Choose an Orthodontist?

Difference Between Orthodontists and Dentists

All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. The difference between an orthodontist and a general dentist is the additional education, specialized training, and board certification an orthodontist receives. Dr. Phillips is also a board-certified orthodontist, a prestigious distinction earned by only 1 in 3 orthodontists. Along with this designation comes immense experience, which means no matter what your condition may be, Dr. Phillips has likely helped a similar patient in his years of practice.

Treatment For All Ages

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child’s initial orthodontic evaluation occur by age 7 – when adult teeth start erupting. Children’s orthodontics at Phillips Orthodontics is not just about getting braces – it also assesses the alignment of your child’s teeth and jaw bones. If treatment is needed, it will focus on guiding the growth and development of your child’s jaw and permanent teeth, preventing a more complex orthodontic treatment and extraction of teeth in the future.

Orthodontic treatments for teens are usually carried out at ages 12-17. At this stage, most permanent teeth have come out already, making it the perfect time to straighten teeth and set their smile right for life. Increase your teen’s self-confidence with fun-colored braces or discreet clear aligners. At Phillips Orthodontics, we ensure to factor in your teenagers’ significant social and schooling needs with their orthodontic treatment!

It’s never too late to achieve the healthiest, most stunning smile you deserve! Over the years, we have been seeing an increase in adult patients wanting to straighten their teeth to improve their confidence and overall oral health. A bad bite or misaligned teeth can cause gum disease, jaw joint problems, and tooth decay because it is challenging to clean crooked teeth. We offer comfortable, aesthetic, and customized orthodontic solutions to meet your needs and lifestyle.

Discreet Way to Align Your Smile!

Invisalign is a modern orthodontic advancement that lets you straighten your teeth with clear aligner trays that are virtually unnoticeable to your family, friends, and coworkers. Dr. Phillips is an Invisalign Platinum Provider, which means you can trust that he has received extensive training focused on this specific treatment and has seen many cases in a year. Invisalign treatment’s smooth plastic aligners don’t have the many nooks and crannies of metal braces, where bacteria love to gather. You can remove your aligners to eat, brush and floss normally, which makes it easier to maintain good oral hygiene.

Invisalign Teen works similarly to Invisalign for adults. The only difference is the blue-dot indicator which is a vital component for parents to track the compliance of their teens in wearing their aligners for the recommended hours daily. The blue dot will become clear if your teen has worn their aligners for 20-22 hours daily. Teens love Invisalign as they can continue to play an instrument or sport. They simply remove their clear aligners and play the way they always have.

Goodbye, metal brackets and wires! Spark Aligners use a series of clear, removable aligners that move teeth gently to their ideal positions. It’s comfortable, convenient, and virtually invisible. The aligners are also made here in Southern California, so the turnaround time to receive the aligners is shorter, and you can begin treatment earlier. The price of Spark Aligners makes them a great discreet treatment option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly alternative too!

Conventional, efficient braces treatment

Metal braces are the first thing in mind when you hear orthodontic treatment. They are still widely used and are very effective in correcting complex misalignment cases. Children and teens love metal braces, which can be brightened up with different colors to make the smile unique and show their personalities. It is also the treatment of choice for active adults who prefer to have something fixed – unlike clear aligners that you need to remove before eating and drinking.

Protect Your Investment!

Your orthodontic treatment doesn’t end on the day we remove your braces or on your last day of wearing aligners. The next step is your retention phase, which is vital to ensure your investment is well-spent. Wearing retainers help keep teeth in place while the bone and gums heal, preventing teeth from shifting back to their old positions. Often a patient will be required to wear the retainer at all times for a period determined by Dr. Phillips.

Surgical Orthodontics

In certain cases, Dr. Phillips may recommend that you consult an oral surgeon for surgical orthodontics. It is the treatment of choice when the bite problem is so severe that orthodontic treatment is not enough to correct the misalignment of teeth and jaw or where orthodontics alone would leave you with a compromised facial appearance. Dr. Phillips will work with your oral surgeon to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.