The teen years are a critical time to lay the foundation for a lifetime of confidence — and a beautiful smile plays a big part in that journey.
At Soul Orthodontics, we bring you the trusted expertise of Dr. Albert, a board-certified orthodontist, and a personalized, modern experience that teens love.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Say “hello” to modern orthodontics for teens.
With an iPad station, coffee bar and ceiling-mounted TVs above each patient chair, we’ve designed a place where you’ll look forward to your visits.
We use the latest technologies to get the job done as efficiently as possible, while you’re kicking back, watching your personal TV.
Our advanced intraoral scanner creates precise 3D models of your smile in just a few minutes, without the need for messy impressions. No goop. No gagging. No mess. We can even show you a simulated preview of your new smile before you start your journey.
You’ll see that our whole treatment experience is designed for your comfort and happiness.
Did you know..…
Starting orthodontics in the early teen years, while the jaws are still developing, can minimize treatment time and cost.
Take the first step.
Braces for Teens
Each of our teen patients is unique, and we love that!
We offer different types of braces to match:
Metal braces: Show off your style with a colorful, one-of-a-kind smile. You can customize your braces colors (rubber bands) each time we change them out.
Clear braces: Keep it sleek with ceramic, tooth-colored brackets designed to blend in with your smile. You’ll get the full power of metal braces — without the shiny brackets.
Invisalign for Teens
Prefer a virtually-invisible, removable orthodontic treatment?
Invisalign clear aligners are undetectable when you smile. They won’t stop you from eating your favorite foods, and they’re custom-designed just for you.
Dr. Albert is your board-certified orthodontist and certified Invisalign Provider, here to help you decide whether Invisalign or braces will better suit your lifestyle and orthodontic needs.
Teen Braces 101
Does my teen need treatment?
Recognize any of these signs? If so, book a complimentary consultation.
- Hiding smile regularly
- Crooked, crowded or gapped teeth
- Jaw shifting, popping or clicking
- Jaw pain or facial pain
- Early, late or irregular loss of baby teeth
- Jaws or teeth are disproportionate to the rest of the face
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Grinding or clenching the teeth
- Thumb-sucking / finger-sucking habits in childhood
- Persistent mouth breathing
What is the cost of braces for teens?
The cost of teen braces or Invisalign will depend on a few factors, including the severity of the condition, the length of their treatment plan, and whether any appliances are needed in treatment.
We offer flexible payment plans with 0% interest in-house financing. We accept most major credit cards, and most insurance plans - which can reduce your cost significantly. We’ll do all of the paperwork for you!
On your first visit to our office, we’ll create a custom payment plan that suits your budget.
Get braces on day 1.
Once you decide to begin a life-changing transformation, why wait any longer?
Dr. Albert is your Same Day Orthodontist in Simi Valley, which means you can leave your very first visit with braces on your teeth.
Parents, we know you have enough on your plate already - and teens, we know you have a social life to attend to - we won’t keep you waiting.
Many orthodontists require a second visit to place your braces, but with Same Day Braces, we can prioritize your braces placement on day one.
Braces for Teens: How it Works
Initial Consultation
We'll start with a complimentary consultation and assessment! We offer free consultations, because we want you and your teen to receive answers from a board-certified children's orthodontist, with no risk.
Dr. Albert will examine your teen’s smile, including a physical exam, advanced 3D x-rays and a quick digital scan, and discuss any symptoms they may be experiencing. This gives us the full picture of their smile needs.
Personalized Treatment Plan
If we find that your teen needs orthodontics, Dr. Albert will design their custom treatment plan. Every smile is unique and develops at a different rate, so this plan may include an appliance followed by braces or Invisalign - or just a full treatment of either.
We'll explain the process in detail, ensuring that you and your teen are comfortable every step of the way. Dr. Albert will become your personal orthodontist who will take care of you at every visit.
Transformation Process
On average, teen orthodontic treatment typically takes about one year. However, some patients' treatments may be shorter or longer.
During this time, you and your child will have periodic visits with us. We'll continue assessing their smile progress and monitoring their oral health.
Once treatment is complete, your teen will begin wearing their custom retainer, to maintain their beautiful new smile for a lifetime.
Before & Afters
A smile is worth 1,000 words.
FAQs
Can I still play sports with braces?
%402x%20(2).svg){kind=icon}
Yes, your orthodontic treatment won’t stop you from living life on your terms! As long as you wear a mouthguard when playing sports, you won’t have to sit on the sidelines this season.
With any type of braces, including Invisalign® clear aligners, it’s incredibly important that you wear a mouthguard while playing sports. A mouth guard can protect your teeth from serious damage.
According to studies by the American Dental Association, sports players who wear mouthguards are between 82% and 93% less likely to suffer dentofacial injuries, while players who didn't use mouthguards had more than twice the increased risk of orofacial injury! If you need recommendations for an orthodontic mouthguard, ask Dr. Albert during your next visit!
Do braces hurt?
You’ll be relieved to know that getting braces or Invisalign does not hurt. When Dr. Albert places your braces on, we’re simply bonding brackets to your teeth and attaching the archwires. This won’t cause you any pain.
The first week you have braces or wear your clear aligners, you may experience some minor soreness as your teeth and gums are adjusting. You can take some Tylenol® or another over-the-counter pain reliever to counteract the soreness, and it should subside after the first week or two!
What can I eat with braces?
You can still eat at your favorite restaurants in Simi Valley! During the first week of your treatment, as your teeth and gums are adjusting, you may want to choose softer foods, like pasta, tuna, mashed potatoes, or soup. You can integrate harder foods into your diet as soon as you’re feeling up to it.
Here’s a list of foods you can eat with braces:
- Dairy — cream cheese, pudding, milk
- Breads — tortillas, pancakes, muffins,
- Grains — pasta, rice, cereal
- Meats — soft chicken, soft meatballs, lunch meats
- Vegetables — cooked carrots, peas, beans
- Fruits — bananas, kiwis, strawberries, grapes
- Treats — ice cream (no nuts), milkshakes, Jell-O, frozen yogurt
What foods should I avoid with braces?
As a general rule of thumb, try to avoid foods that are chewy, sticky, crunchy, or hard. These food items are infamous for damaging brackets and wires and breaking orthodontic appliances.
Here are some examples of foods to avoid when wearing braces:
- Chewy foods — bagels, hard bread rolls, Twizzlers
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, ice, dried fruits, Cheetos, Doritos, Fritos
- Sticky foods — caramel, gum, Laffy Taffy, Starburst
- Hard foods — nuts, Jolly Ranchers, hard pizza crusts, Nerds
- Foods that require biting — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
If you’re a self-proclaimed foodie, Invisalign may be a better fit! Simply remove your aligners to chow down, then clean your teeth, rinse out your aligners and pop them back in place.
