Questions, answered.

It's a real appointment, not a sales pitch. Dr. Thompson does a full clinical exam, takes any x-rays and photographs needed, and talks through what she sees. You leave with a clear picture of your options and a written fee quote if treatment makes sense. There's no charge and no obligation to start — your complimentary consultation is exactly that, complimentary.

Plan on about 45 minutes to an hour. We get to know you, review your dental and medical history, examine your bite, and take the records Dr. Thompson needs to plan properly. If you decide to move forward, our team walks you through timing, cost, insurance, and financing before you commit to anything.

Honestly, no — a good share of our patients are adults, and many are fixing old orthodontic work that drifted or finally addressing something they've put off for years. Treatment works the same way at 45 as it does at 15; adult bone just responds a little more gradually. If you've been telling yourself you missed your window, that hesitation makes sense — but it's rarely true. See treatment for adults for more.

For most adults, the decision is between the Pitts21 PRO self-ligating bracket system and Spark™ clear aligners. Dr. Thompson reviews your bite, lifestyle, and goals at your complimentary consultation and recommends the approach that will produce the best result — not the one that happens to be trendiest.

Treatment duration varies by individual case and patient compliance. Spark™ clear aligners typically run 6–18 months. Pitts21 PRO braces move teeth efficiently and often finish in 12–18 months for comprehensive adult cases. Early Treatment (Phase I) in children is usually 8–12 months. Dr. Thompson gives you a specific estimate after she reviews your case — we quote ranges, never guarantees.

For mild to moderate cases — crowding, spacing, most common bite issues — modern Spark™ clear aligners move teeth as predictably as fixed braces, as long as you wear them about 22 hours a day. For complex rotations, deep bites, or significant skeletal work, fixed braces give Dr. Thompson more direct control. Let's be honest: the right answer depends on your specific case, not on which one you'd prefer.

"Sore for a few days" is more accurate than "hurt." Teeth feel tender for a day or two after braces are placed or when you switch to a new set of aligners — that pressure is the treatment working. Over-the-counter pain relief handles it for most people, and it fades fast. The lower-profile Pitts21 PRO brackets are noticeably more comfortable than the bulky metal braces many adults remember.

Cost depends on case complexity and treatment choice. We provide a written fee quote at your complimentary consultation — no hidden costs — and financing is available. Here’s what nobody says: orthodontic pricing across reputable offices in the San Gabriel Valley is fairly consistent, so a quote far below market is worth a second question.

Yes. SmileHaus offers in-house, interest-free payment plans that spread the cost across your treatment, and we work with CareCredit for longer terms (subject to credit approval). We walk through the specifics — monthly amounts, down payment, timelines — at your consultation so there are no surprises.

We accept most major PPO insurance plans and will verify your orthodontic benefits for you before treatment begins. Many plans include a lifetime orthodontic benefit separate from regular dental coverage — our team checks exactly what yours covers so you know your real out-of-pocket cost up front.

Visit frequency depends on your appliance. Pitts21 PRO and traditional braces are typically every 6–8 weeks; Spark aligner patients come in every 8–10 weeks. Dr. Thompson sees every patient at every visit — not a rotating cast of assistants.

With braces, skip the hard and sticky stuff — ice, hard candy, caramel, whole nuts, popcorn — and cut crunchy foods like apples and carrots into pieces. Clear aligners sidestep this entirely: they come out for meals, so there are no food restrictions at all. Our life with braces guide has the full list.

It happens, and it's usually not an emergency. Call us and we'll get you in to repair a bracket or reissue an aligner. In the meantime, orthodontic wax covers a poking bracket, and you can move to your next aligner or back to your previous one if a tray cracks. We're not a 24/7 emergency practice, but we make room quickly for real problems during office hours.

Yes — and this is the part people underestimate. Teeth naturally drift over a lifetime, so a retainer is what protects the result you just invested in. Dr. Thompson fits your retainers when your braces come off or your last aligner is done, and walks you through how often to wear them. Skipping retainers is the most common reason smiles relapse.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. Most children will not need treatment yet, but early evaluation lets us catch developing issues before they become more complex. We won’t recommend early treatment if it isn’t needed — sometimes the right call is simply to watch and wait.

Children in active growth are typically best served by fixed appliances (braces). Teens 13+ with good compliance are often strong candidates for Spark™ clear aligners. You know your child best — we evaluate each one individually and are honest about whether removable trays are realistic for them.