A Santa Clarita orthodontist is describing the “incredible” advancements now available in orthodontic treatment, and how different it is for kids today compared to when she had braces as a child.

“It has changed quite a bit from when you and I were going through treatment,” said Dr. Megan LeCornu of Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics, referring to parents around her age. “It’s actually pretty incredible.”

LeCornu noted that patients who choose metal braces today are getting a very different experience from the ones of her own childhood.

Related: Santa Clarita Orthodontist Cautions Against Use Of Do-It-Yourself Clear Liners

“The technology has evolved so much, even down to the wires,” she explained. “You think a wire is a wire, but the wires that we use today literally deliver half the force loads as the wires that you and I were treated with, so that means less soreness for patients. It’s come a long way.”

While metal braces on the front of the teeth are still an option, patients can now also choose to have braces behind their teeth so they can’t be seen, or opt for clear liners like Invisalign as well.

The days of uncomfortable teeth molding are also a thing of the past for most patients, as digital scanning has replaced molds for the average patient, according to LeCornu.

“There are certain situations where we still do molds because it is a little bit more accurate,” she said. “However, for the most part, we actually do scans… It looks like a little magical wand, like a Harry Potter wand, and that goes in your mouth and they move it around, and it basically takes a movie of your teeth. Then you have a three-dimensional model setup of your teeth that we make digitally.”

Another major advancement in orthodontics today is that an increase in preventative, also known as “interceptive,” treatment has led to only 22 percent or less of patients needing extractions, compared to 60 percent of patients when LeCornu was a child.

Because the American Association of Orthodontics recommends children start being seen around the age of 7-8, Santa Clarita orthodontists like LeCornu can monitor the loss of baby teeth and emergence of adult teeth to help set the child up for dental success in the future, according to LeCornu.

“The reason why is not because we feel like all young kids need treatment — honestly the reason is actually to be more preventative,” LeCornu explained. “It’s as simple as let’s say a baby tooth is not getting wiggly properly at the right time. What can happen is a permanent tooth can actually go into the wrong spot…  We say, you know what, we need to wiggle out these baby teeth a little bit early to help things come into a better spot, so down the road when this patient is older, they don’t need as much treatment.”

Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Community Spotlight based on a recent radio interview with Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics.

Dr. Steven Gilbertson, Dr. Megan LeCornu and Dr. Pete Weber of Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics — formerly Gilbertson and LeCornu Orthodontics — have a solid reputation in the community as the premiere Santa Clarita orthodontists for children, teenagers and adults using Invisalign and traditional braces. Together, they strive to provide orthodontic excellence and five-star customer service in a friendly, caring environment that makes each patient feel like a member of their family. As trusted orthodontists, Santa Clarita residents have voted Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics “best orthodontist” for eight years.

Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics

23206 Lyons Avenue, Suite 206

Santa Clarita, CA 91321

(661) 259-2388

27891 Smyth Dr. Unit A

Valencia, CA 91355

661-295-8288

Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics – Santa Clarita, Valencia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raDltAG_lqw

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