Straighter Smiles & Healthy Bites
Orthodontics in Altadena, CA
Personalized Orthodontics to straighten teeth and balance your bite at Mint Dental Loft.
Orthodontics gently moves your teeth into better alignment so your smile looks great and your bite works comfortably. At Mint Dental Loft in Altadena, CA, we tailor treatment for kids, teens, and adults—focusing on results that are healthy, stable, and fit your lifestyle.
Orthodontics in Altadena, California
Orthodontics at Mint Dental Loft
Orthodontics at Mint Dental Loft in Altadena, CA is about more than straight teeth—it’s about creating a healthy bite that’s easier to clean, kinder to your jaw joints, and more confident to show in photos. We listen to your goals and recommend options that can gently move crowded, spaced, or rotated teeth into a more ideal position.
How Orthodontics works
Orthodontic treatment uses gentle, steady pressure to move teeth through bone into a healthier position. This can be done with traditional braces that stay on your teeth or with clear aligners you change at home. We begin with photos, X-rays, and a thorough exam, then map out how we want your teeth and bite to look at the end of treatment. Along the way, we see you regularly to make small adjustments, answer questions, and keep everything moving on track.
- Traditional Braces Fixed brackets and wires that reliably straighten teeth and correct complex bite issues.
- Clear Aligner Therapy Removable, nearly invisible trays that straighten teeth with a series of small movements.
- Early Interceptive Orthodontics Gentle guidance of jaw growth and tooth eruption to make later treatment easier.
- Adult Orthodontics Discreet solutions to improve crowded or shifting teeth at any age.
Technology and techniques we use
To plan precise Orthodontics, we use modern diagnostic tools that show us how your teeth, jaws, and smile work together. This helps us design a plan that fits your face, protects your jaw joints, and supports long-term stability.
- Digital X-rays and photos to assess crowding, spacing, and jaw relationships
- Detailed bite analysis to understand how your upper and lower teeth meet
- Bracket systems and archwires designed for efficient, controlled tooth movement
- Clear aligner planning for patients who qualify for removable, nearly invisible treatment
- Close monitoring to adjust forces and maintain comfort throughout treatment
Am I a candidate for Orthodontics?
You may be a good candidate for Orthodontics if you have crowded or overlapping teeth, gaps, a deep or open bite, crossbite, or if your teeth don’t feel like they come together evenly. Children can often benefit from an early evaluation to catch developing issues, while teens and adults may seek treatment for both health and cosmetic reasons.
During your visit, we’ll discuss your concerns, review your exam and X-rays, and recommend options tailored to you or your child. We’ll outline estimated treatment time, how often you’ll need to come in, and what you can expect day to day. Before starting, we’ll review costs, how your orthodontic or dental insurance may help, and CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit financing or payment options so you can plan with confidence.
Start your path to a straighter smile
If you’re ready to explore Orthodontics for yourself or your child, call (626) 639-8618 or contact Mint Dental Loft in Altadena, CA to schedule a consultation. We’ll answer your questions, review your options, and create a step-by-step plan toward a healthier, more confident smile.
Orthodontics FAQs
- What is Orthodontics?
- Orthodontics is the correction of tooth position and bite relationship using fixed braces or removable clear aligners. Mint Dental Loft treats crowding, spacing, crossbites, overbites, and underbites by applying controlled force that remodels the bone around each tooth, allowing it to move into a planned position.
- When should my child first see an orthodontic dentist?
- By age seven, when the first permanent molars and incisors have erupted. That timing lets Mint Dental Loft evaluate arch width, crossbites, and jaw relationship while growth can still be guided. Most children are monitored rather than treated at that age, but identifying a developing problem early keeps the later options simpler.
- What are my options—braces or clear aligners?
- Both are available. Fixed braces handle every type of movement, including large rotations and vertical corrections, and require no compliance beyond care and diet. Clear aligners treat mild to moderate cases, are removable, and depend on being worn 20 to 22 hours daily. Mint Dental Loft recommends one or the other from digital scans and radiographs.
- How long does Orthodontic treatment take?
- Comprehensive orthodontic treatment at Mint Dental Loft typically takes 12 to 24 months. Minor alignment can finish in 6 to 9 months, while cases involving bite correction or arch expansion take longer. Retainer wear continues indefinitely once active treatment ends.
- Is Orthodontic treatment painful?
- No. Expect pressure and tenderness for two to three days after placement and after each adjustment or aligner change, which reflects teeth moving through bone. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and soft foods manage it. Mint Dental Loft supplies orthodontic wax for brackets or wires that irritate the cheek or lip.
- How often will I need to come in for visits?
- Braces are adjusted every four to eight weeks. Clear aligner patients attend every six to ten weeks, changing aligners at home between visits. Mint Dental Loft sets the interval according to the stage of treatment, with more frequent checks during active bite correction.
- Will Orthodontics make it harder to keep my teeth clean?
- Fixed braces do, because brackets and wires trap plaque and ordinary floss cannot pass under the archwire. Mint Dental Loft recommends a water flosser, interdental brushes, and floss threaders, and schedules more frequent hygiene visits during treatment. Clear aligners are removed for brushing, so cleaning is unchanged.
- What does Orthodontic treatment cost, and does insurance help?
- Comprehensive orthodontic treatment generally runs $3,000 to $8,000 depending on complexity and appliance type. Plans with an orthodontic benefit typically pay a percentage up to a lifetime maximum, commonly $1,000 to $2,500, and often limit coverage by age. Mint Dental Loft verifies the benefit and offers CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit financing for the balance.
- Can adults get Orthodontic treatment too?
- Yes. Teeth move through bone at any age, so adult treatment works on the same biological principle as treatment in children. Adult cases take somewhat longer because bone turnover is slower and there is no growth to work with, and existing crowns, bridges, and gum condition need accounting for. Mint Dental Loft treats gum disease before starting orthodontics in adults.
- How do I get started with Orthodontics at Mint Dental Loft?
- Call Mint Dental Loft in Altadena at (626) 639-8618 or request an appointment online. The consultation includes photographs, radiographs, and a digital scan, and produces a written plan covering appliance options, duration, and cost.
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We Make Dentistry More Affordable
Mint Dental Loft proudly offers flexible payment options through CareCredit and LendingClub, making it easier to get the treatment you need with comfortable monthly payments that fit your budget.
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