Working Together on the Journey to Your Perfect Smile

Achieving the perfect smile through orthodontic treatment is a collaborative effort between you and us, your orthodontic team at Brodsky Orthodontics. Your commitment to consistently wearing your prescribed appliances, be it elastics (rubber bands), aligners, retainers, or space maintainers, is crucial. These appliances, each with a unique role, guide your teeth and jaw into their ideal positions. Remember, the success of your treatment largely depends on your dedication to following our instructions. Let's work together to create your new smile!

Close-up of teeth with orthodontic spacers, preparing for braces at Brodsky Orthodontics in Long Beach, Downey, and Cerritos.

Separators (Spacers)

Think of separators as your teeth's best friends, paving the way for your orthodontic journey. These tiny rubber rings nestle between your teeth, gently nudging them apart to make room for the orthodontic bands that will be placed at your next visit. But remember, they're a bit sensitive - sticky foods might dislodge them, and flossing around them could lead to an early goodbye. So, let's keep them safe and secure until they've completed their mission!

Patient's upper teeth with palatal expander appliance at Brodsky Orthodontics, Long Beach, Downey, and Cerritos.

Palatal Expander

Imagine a key that unlocks more than just doors - it unlocks the potential of your smile. That's the magic of the palatal expander. This device works by applying a gentle, yet consistent pressure on your upper molars every time an adjustment is made. But don't worry, you won't be alone in this journey. Dr. Brodsky and his team will guide you every step of the way, showing you exactly how and when to activate the expander. Together, we'll widen not just your upper jaw, but also the horizons of your smile!

Close-up view of teeth and tongue with orthodontic separators in place, illustrating orthodontic treatment at Brodsky Orthodontics in Downey, Long Beach, and Cerritos.

Lower Lingual Arch

Imagine a superhero, swooping in to save the day just when things seem to be going awry. That's the role of the Lower Lingual Arch for our younger patients. This appliance is like a guardian, preserving space for adult teeth when baby teeth decide to make an early or timely exit. The best part? It often eliminates the need for extractions due to crowding. So, while your child's smile is in the process of evolving, the Lower Lingual Arch is there to ensure it unfolds beautifully.

Close-up view of teeth with braces illustrating orthodontic treatment at Brodsky Orthodontics in Long Beach, Downey, and Cerritos.

Bite Buttons

Consider bite buttons as your smile's secret allies. These tiny extensions, made from small amounts of plastic bonding material, are tactically positioned behind your upper teeth to assist in opening a deep bite. Their mission doesn't stop there. They can also be stationed behind your lower teeth to aid in maneuvering a tooth out of crossbite. With bite buttons, your path to a picture-perfect smile becomes smoother and more streamlined.

Close-up view of braces on teeth, orthodontic treatment at Brodsky Orthodontics in Long Beach, Downey, and Cerritos.

Herbst® Appliance

Picture the Herbst® Appliance as a personal trainer for your child's smile. This device is designed to reduce overbite by encouraging the lower jaw to grow forward and the upper molars to move backward. It's like a gentle nudge in the right direction for their developing teeth. Primarily used on young, growing children, this fixed appliance is worn for about 12 months. Just like starting a new exercise routine, it takes children approximately 4 days to adjust to this appliance. But once they do, it's all smooth sailing towards a healthier, more balanced smile.

Brodsky Orthodontics Pendulum Appliance: Gentle orthodontic treatment for crowded teeth in Downey, Long Beach, and Cerritos.

Pendulum Appliance

Think of the Pendulum Appliance as a gentle force, silently working to create harmony within your mouth. This device is a preferred alternative to headgear for our older preteen and teenage patients. Its mission? To gently guide the upper molars backwards, creating much-needed space for overly crowded teeth. Patients often report that it's very comfortable, and it typically only needs to be worn for 3-4 months. Once the desired movement has been achieved, a holding bar steps in to maintain the correction for a few months. It's a seamless process designed to bring balance and beauty to your smile.

Pendulum appliance in mouth gently guiding upper molars, orthodontic treatment at Brodsky Ortho in Long Beach, Downey, and Cerritos.

Carriere Appliance

Imagine the Carriere appliance as the maestro of your orthodontic symphony, masterfully guiding each tooth into its perfect position. This innovative device is a game changer, designed to correct bite issues with less discomfort and in less time than traditional methods. The secret to its success? Elastics. They're used early in treatment when your commitment to a perfect smile is at its peak. So, let the Carriere appliance orchestrate your journey to a harmonious smile

Habit appliance in mouth guiding teeth, orthodontic treatment at Brodsky Ortho in Long Beach, Downey, and Cerritos.

Habit Appliance

Envision the Habit Appliance as a friendly coach, aiding those who find it challenging to break free from finger or thumb sucking habits. This device is not there to reprimand, but to guide and assist. Remarkably, it often resolves the issue in just a matter of days. It's like a supportive friend, always there to help redirect when old habits try to sneak back in, steering your smile towards a healthier future.

Close-up view of teeth with braces and temporary anchorage devices (TADs) for orthodontic treatment at Brodsky Orthodontics, serving Long Beach, Downey, and Cerritos.

Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs or Pins)

Imagine miniscrews, also known as TADs or Pins, as the secret agents of orthodontics. These temporary devices are anchored to your dental bone, providing your doctor with absolute control in moving your teeth. They are called upon only in the most challenging of situations when the doctor requires greater command of your braces. While they have been routinely used in countries like Korea and Japan for years, they only gained acceptance in the United States in 2003. Thanks to this innovative technology, some patients who might have needed orthognathic (jaw) surgery or dental implants to replace missing teeth can now be treated with braces alone, without the need for surgery. It's like having a secret weapon in the quest for a perfect smile.

Close-up of teeth with traditional braces and elastics, illustrating orthodontic treatment at Brodsky Ortho in Long Beach, Downey, and Cerritos.

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Consider elastics, or as you might know them, rubber bands, as the silent heroes of your orthodontic journey. Their mission? To help correct the alignment of your upper and lower teeth, locking them into perfect harmony. They work tirelessly, day and night, to ensure your teeth find their ideal positions. However, they can't do it alone. They rely on you, the patient, to wear them as prescribed to successfully complete your orthodontic treatment. It's a team effort, and together, we can create that perfect smile you've always dreamed of.

Vivera clear aligners and toothbrush in a cup, illustrating orthodontic treatment options from Brodsky Orthodontics in Long Beach, Downey, and Cerritos.

Retainers

Imagine retainers as the guardians of your newly straightened smile. They may be removable or fixed, but their mission remains the same: to hold your teeth in their new, correct positions, protecting the hard work you've put into achieving that perfect alignment.

Dr. Brodsky and his dedicated team will guide you on how to care for your retainer and inform you about the duration of wear. Remember, wearing your retainers as directed is crucial to prevent your teeth from attempting to return to their old ways.

Our fixed retainers are crafted in-house with precision and care, using a state-of-the-art Yoat robot machine for your convenience. As for our removable retainers, we entrust their creation to Align Technology, ensuring our patients receive the highest quality retainer on the market, the renowned Vivera.