Traditional braces in Downey.

Most cases take between 18 and 36 months from start to finish, though simpler cases can be completed in as little as 12 months and complex cases involving significant bite correction may run closer to 36 months. Dr. Lee gives you a specific timeline at your consultation based on your individual case. Treatment time depends on the complexity of your alignment issues and how consistently you attend adjustment appointments.

The bracket placement appointment is comfortable for most patients. There is no drilling and no anesthesia is typically needed. You may feel mild soreness or pressure for 3 to 5 days after placement and after each adjustment as your teeth shift. This is normal and means treatment is working. Over-the-counter pain relievers help, and the discomfort fades quickly. Most patients describe braces as awareness rather than pain after the first few days.

Yes, but the list is shorter than most patients expect. Sticky foods (caramel, gum, taffy), hard foods (ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels), and very chewy foods (bagels, hard crusty bread) can damage brackets or wires. Most other foods are fine, sometimes with modifications. Apples and corn on the cob should be cut up rather than bitten directly, for example. Dr. Lee provides a complete food guide at your bracket placement appointment.

Cleaning takes a few extra minutes daily. You brush after every meal when possible, use a special interdental brush to clean around brackets, and floss using a floss threader or water flosser. We provide a starter kit and detailed home care guidance at your placement appointment, plus reinforcement at every adjustment. Patients who clean well during treatment finish with healthy teeth and gums; patients who do not can develop white spots, decay, or gum issues.

Cost varies based on case complexity, treatment length, and the type of braces (metal vs. ceramic vs. self-ligating). We offer flexible financing through CareCredit and accept most insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits. Many dental insurance plans cover a meaningful portion of braces, typically a percentage up to a lifetime orthodontic maximum. We verify your specific benefits and walk you through a clear cost breakdown at your free consultation before any treatment begins.

Many dental insurance plans cover braces, typically as a percentage of total cost up to a lifetime orthodontic maximum (often $1,500 to $3,500 depending on your plan). Some plans cover braces only for patients under a certain age. We verify your specific orthodontic benefits before treatment begins so you have a clear understanding of what your insurance covers and what your out-of-pocket investment will be. We accept most PPO plans including Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, and Anthem.

Dr. Rachel Lee, our in-house orthodontist, works in the same Downey office as our general dentists Dr. Hadis Reyhani and Dr. Kiro Farag. Records, X-rays, and treatment information are shared seamlessly between providers, they treat your case as one team rather than separate specialists. Your general dentistry care continues with us throughout orthodontic treatment, including routine cleanings and any other dental work you need. One location, one familiar team, fully integrated care.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This does not mean treatment starts at 7. Most kids who need orthodontic care begin between ages 9 and 14 once enough permanent teeth have erupted. The early evaluation lets Dr. Lee identify issues that benefit from early intervention (severe crowding, crossbite, jaw growth issues) and plan timing for any future treatment. We provide orthodontic evaluations at our office for kids of all ages.