Orthodontist in Brentwood, CA

Orthodontics is about more than cosmetics, although we completely understand that wanting a straighter smile is reason enough to explore treatment. At Fairview Dental, we approach orthodontic care from a functional standpoint first. When your teeth are properly aligned and your bite fits together the way it should, everything works better. You chew more efficiently. You put less uneven stress on individual teeth. Your jaw joints function with less strain. And yes, your smile looks great too.

A malocclusion, which is the clinical term for a misaligned bite, can show up in a lot of different ways. Crowded teeth that overlap and trap food. Gaps that let teeth drift over time. An overbite where the upper front teeth protrude significantly over the lower ones. A crossbite where upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth instead of outside. Each of these patterns creates its own set of problems if left unaddressed. Crowded teeth are harder to clean, which increases the risk of cavities and periodontal disease. A deep overbite can cause the lower front teeth to wear into the palate. A crossbite can lead to asymmetric jaw growth in younger patients.

We see families from all over Brentwood, from the neighborhoods near Deer Ridge to the communities along Balfour Road, and one thing we hear consistently from parents is that they wish they’d brought their child in for an orthodontic evaluation sooner. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age seven. That might sound early, but it’s not about putting braces on a seven-year-old. It’s about identifying developing issues while there’s still room to guide growth. Early intervention, sometimes called Phase I treatment, can address problems like a narrow palate or a significant crossbite while the jaw is still growing. This can simplify or even eliminate the need for more extensive treatment later.

For teens, orthodontic treatment is often a rite of passage. We work with a lot of students from the local middle and high schools, and we make sure the experience is as smooth as possible. We coordinate appointment times around school schedules. We explain everything clearly so teens understand their role in the process, especially when it comes to compliance with elastics, hygiene, and keeping appointments. When a teenager takes ownership of their treatment, the results are consistently better and faster.

Adults make up a growing portion of our orthodontic patients too. There’s no age limit on moving teeth. The biology of tooth movement works the same whether you’re fifteen or fifty-five. Bone remodels in response to sustained light forces regardless of age. What might differ is the pace, since adult bone is denser and remodeling happens a bit more slowly, and the presence of existing dental work like crowns or implants that we need to plan around. But we do this every day, and we’re very comfortable managing the nuances of adult orthodontic treatment.

During your initial consultation at our Brentwood office, we take diagnostic records that include digital X-rays, photographs, and a thorough clinical examination. We assess your tooth positions, your skeletal relationship, your soft tissue profile, and your periodontal health. All of this information feeds into a treatment plan that’s specific to you. We walk you through every detail, answer every question, and make sure you feel genuinely confident before we start anything.