We believe you should only go through orthodontic treatment once in a lifetime; therefore we go a step beyond "typical" orthodontic treatment. Our goal is to bring the teeth, jaw joints, and muscles into functional harmony for a healthy and durable chewing system. For example, we put braces on all of the teeth, including the 12 year molars—a procedure which is not typically done in many orthodontic practice. Of course an eye catching smile is important, but a pretty smile does not necessarily mean a good functioning bite.

Duration of full treatment can be anywhere from 12 to 36 months. 24 months is typical. Treatment time depends on numerous factors such as the difficulty of the case, patient compliance, hygiene (puffy gums slow tooth movement), etc.

The braces we use are the newest technology, and incorporate several nifty features that make treatment faster, easier, and more comfortable. They are "self-ligating", which means they do not need to be tied in with wires or elastic ties; instead, they have a little clip that snaps easily into place, and traps the wire into the bracket slot. In the early stages of treatment this reduces friction allowing teeth to move faster with minimal force and discomfort. In the later stages of treatment, when detailing and fine tuning of tooth positions are so important, the features of the "straight wire appliance" are built into the bracket which help Dr. Ma finish to an excellent result in less time.

Clear brackets are also available.