BanhSmiles Services
Exceeding Your Expectations
Your First Visit
During your first visit, you or your child will be examined by Dr. Banh. He will discuss potential treatment options, estimated fees and answer any questions that you might have. There is no fee for this visit.
If you choose to have treatment with us, you can then proceed to have records taken. There might a cost for these records. Records might include scanning for study models, intra- and extra-oral photos and digital X-rays. After Dr. Banh has had adequate time to study and evaluate your records, he will meet with you and/or parents again in approximately 1 to 2 weeks for final consultation. At this appointment, he will explain all aspects of your treatment plans in detail. He will provide a complete clinical diagnosis regarding the nature of the problem, treatment objectives, plans of action, estimated time of treatment and final fees. Both patients and parents will have ample time for questions.
Early Treatment
Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time to begin treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.
Early treatment provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development of the jaws, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, we will continue to carefully monitor the dentofacial growth and development until treatment is ready.
Some of the advantages of early treatment are:
* Creating space for crowded, erupting teeth
* Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
* Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
* Preserving space for unerupted teeth
* Reducing the need for tooth removal
Adult Treatment
You are never too old for orthodontic treatment. Age is not a factor. As long as you have a healthy gum and bone structure, you can have braces if you choose to do so. We offer a variety of treatments that are designed for adults.
Orthodontic treatment at later stages in life can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. Improving the health of your teeth and gums is equally important. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, abnormal wear of the tooth enamel and surfaces, headaches and jaw joint (TMJ/TMD) pain.
The new techniques and appliances we use greatly reduce discomfort levels, decrease the frequency of visits, shorten treatment time. You can choose to have metal, clear or transparent aligners.
Clear Aligners
We also offer Clear Aligners as an alternative to traditional braces. Clear Aligners are discreet, comfortable, and removable, all while taking your beautiful smile to the next step. Ask Dr. Banh and staff during you consultation if you feel that Clear Aligners are the better alternative for you.
For more information about Clear Aligners, please visit ClearCorrect at their website.
Traditional Braces
Beyond their traditional color, the only thing traditional about these braces is that you can see them. Contemporary braces are made of super strong metal alloys derived from the space program. Their strength allows them to be the smallest of all braces and therefore the most comfortable. Their density makes them ultra slippery so teeth move faster than they ever have before. Today's braces, in combination with other high tech materials mean fewer office visits to complete treatment.
Clear Braces
Ceramic braces utilize less noticeable brackets for patients concerned about aesthetic appearances. Ceramic brackets are translucent, so they blend in with your natural tooth color. This means that unlike traditional stainless steel braces, with ceramic braces your smile will not look 'metallic.' In addition, ceramic brackets are designed so that they won't stain or discolor over long periods of time. An orthodontist can let you know if you are a candidate for ceramic braces.
Temporary Anchorage Devices (TAD)
TAD or Mini Implants are the latest cutting edge technology in Orthodontics. They are tiny titanium screws designed to be temporarily implanted into jaw bones. They can be placed under local anesthetics in a few minutes and are used to lean on to produce a more effective dental movements in complicated cases that required maximum anchorage.
What this means in practical terms is that orthodontic cases may now be treated with less reliance on patient compliance issues (such as wearing headgear, functional appliances and rubber bands) and still achieve the same results. It also means that we can now correct problems that before could only be corrected with jaw surgery.
After treatment is complete, the screws are quickly and painlessly removed under topical anesthetics without complications.
Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery may be an option if there is a jaw issue that cannot be addressed with orthodontics alone. Dr. Banh can work with a qualified maxillofacial surgeon to help develop a treatment plan that is appropriate for individual conditions. Some examples of jaw surgery are necessary include, bite off, facial asymmetry, TMJ disorder, cleft palate, mouth breathing or obstructive sleep apnea, etc...