Clear Aligners And Braces For A Straighter Smile

Expert Orthodontic Care For Patients Of All Ages

A straight smile is more than just cosmetic. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, which helps reduce your risk of gum disease and cavities. Orthodontic treatment can also prevent premature tooth wear, lower the risk of jaw conditions like TMJ/TMD, and provide a variety of additional benefits.

If you’re interested in straightening your smile in Oakland, CA, Harmony is here to help. We offer both clear aligner therapy and traditional braces for teens and adults. It’s never too late to straighten your teeth, boost your confidence, and protect your oral health.

Clear Aligners For Invisible, Convenient Treatment

At Harmony, we offer several types of clear aligners, including Spark™, ClearCorrect™, and other leading brands. While each has its own advantages, all clear aligners work in a similar way—using custom-fitted plastic trays to gradually shift your teeth into healthier positions.

Clear aligners provide the same benefits as braces, but without metal brackets, wires, or rubber bands. They’re especially popular among teens and adults looking for a more discreet, comfortable way to straighten their teeth—and in many cases, treatment can be faster than with traditional braces.

The benefits of clear aligners

Nearly Invisible when worn

Clear aligners fit snugly over your teeth and are almost invisible, making them ideal for patients who want a discreet treatment option. They won’t affect your appearance or your speech, helping you stay confident throughout your treatment.

No dietary restrictions

You can remove your aligners during meals, so you don’t have to give up your favorite foods—whether it’s popcorn, jerky, or gummy candies. Just be sure to brush your teeth and clean your aligners before putting them back in.

Simple oral hygiene

Because aligners are removable, brushing and flossing is easy. You can maintain excellent oral hygiene throughout your treatment and lower your risk of cavities and gum disease.

What to expect from clear aligner therapy

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• Fitting and treatment planning – Once you’re approved for clear aligners, you’ll meet with your orthodontist at Harmony. They will take a 3D scan of your mouth and use a special computer program to plan your treatment. Once your plan is ready, they will send it to a dental lab where your aligners will be built.
• Picking up your aligners – After a few weeks, Harmony will receive your aligners and you’ll come in to pick them up. Your orthodontist will give you instructions on how to wear them and care for them. You will need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day, and you will typically switch to a new set every two weeks.
• Wearing aligners and checkups – Every 6-8 weeks, you will come into Harmony for a checkup with your orthodontist. They will check your progress, make sure you’re on track, and give you a few more sets of aligners to wear. This basic process will continue until your smile is perfectly straight!
• Final visit and retainers – It usually takes between 12-18 months to fully straighten your teeth. Once your teeth have reached their ideal locations, your orthodontist will create a set of retainers for you to wear. You will need to wear these as directed to keep your teeth from shifting back into their original positions.

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Traditional Braces For Complex Orthodontic Cases

Clear aligners are great, but they're not ideal for every patient. Traditional braces are still very useful in orthodontics, particularly if you have difficult-to-treat orthodontic issues. 

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Your orthodontist at Harmony may recommend braces for severe bite problems, very crooked or crowded teeth, or other complex issues. Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology and treatment planning, modern braces are more comfortable, convenient, and effective than ever.

The benefits of braces

Suitable for even the most severe cases

There are limits to what clear aligners can treat. Braces, on the other hand, are very versatile and powerful. Braces can be used alongside oral surgery and additional orthodontic appliances like palate expanders, headgear, and Forsus appliances to correct any orthodontic issue.

Don’t worry about losing aligners

Unlike clear aligners, braces are fixed in place and can’t be removed. This can make them a little bit more inconvenient. But it also means you don’t have to worry about accidentally losing or breaking them. This is a common issue with clear aligners, especially for kids and teenagers, and can lead to delays in treatment.

Subtle options available

Traditional metal braces are not your only option at Harmony. We also offer tooth-colored ceramic braces that blend in with your teeth more effectively. Lingual braces may even be an option for some patients. Lingual braces attach to the back (lingual) side of your teeth instead of the front, meaning they're nearly invisible when you smile.

What to expect from treatment with braces

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• Applying your braces – After approval, your orthodontist will attach bands to your molars and brackets to your teeth, connecting them with a wire secured by rubber bands. This appointment typically takes 1–2 hours.
• Routine wear and adjustments – Your orthodontist will send you home with instructions on how to care for your new smile. Then, your teeth will begin to move into the proper positions. You’ll need to come in for a checkup and tightening at Harmony about every 4-6 weeks.

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• Removing your braces – Treatment typically takes 18–24 months, depending on your needs. Once your teeth are aligned and your bite is ideal, your orthodontist will remove your braces to reveal your new smile.
  
  
• Wearing your retainers – Even after you get your braces off, you will need to wear a set of retainers as directed by your orthodontist at Harmony. Retainers keep your teeth from shifting back toward their original positions. If you don’t wear your retainers, you could ruin the alignment of your new smile.

Take The First Steps Toward A Straighter, Healthier Smile

Whether you’re considering clear aligners or traditional braces in Oakland, CA, the team at Harmony Oral Health is here to help. Our experienced orthodontists will guide you through your options and design a personalized plan to achieve your best smile. Call us or book your consultation online today!