★★★★★ Google
Dr. Thompson and her team are a pleasure to work with. They exhibit great professionalism and a warm presence during appointments while working with great efficiency. I'd recommend them to anyone seeking dental work in all its forms!
New Patients · For Teens
Braces & Clear Aligners, Built Around Teen Life.
Modern orthodontic options that fit a teenager's life — in South Pasadena.
5.0★ on Google · 67 reviews · LA Top Orthodontist 2025
We get it, teens are different patients.
Teens aren't kids who got bigger. They're navigating sports, instruments, social media, prom photos, dating, college applications, and a thousand other things that adults forgot about. They have opinions about how their treatment looks. They want to know how long it'll take. They don't want to look weird in their senior photo.
We design our teen treatment plans around all of that.
Treatment options
What teens at SmileHaus typically choose
Most of our teen patients fall into one of two paths:
Pitts21 PRO Braces
The advanced low-profile bracket system. Less visible than traditional braces, more comfortable, fewer office visits. Great for teens with complex cases or those who play contact sports where aligners aren't practical.
Learn about Pitts21 PRO →Spark™ Clear Aligners
Removable, virtually invisible aligners. Great for teens who prioritize discretion or who don't want braces during a big year, graduating senior, varsity athlete, performer.
Learn about Spark →Dr. Thompson recommends the right approach based on your teen's specific case at their complimentary consultation.
How we decide between braces and aligners for your teen
Honestly, it comes down to two things: the complexity of the case and how your teen actually lives. Pitts21 PRO self-ligating braces are the stronger choice for more complex bite work, significant rotations, or a teen who plays contact sports and won't reliably manage removable trays — nothing to take out, nothing to lose. Spark™ Clear Aligners tend to win for milder cases and for teens who'll wear them the 22 hours a day they need, and who'd rather get through a big year — senior photos, a performance season — without brackets showing.
Here's what nobody says: the "best" option is the one your teen will actually cooperate with. A brilliant aligner plan fails if the trays live in a backpack. Dr. Thompson weighs that honestly — she evaluates every patient personally and sees them at every visit, so the plan is built around your teen, not around what's easiest for the office.
Dr. Thompson has practiced orthodontics since 2001, completed her residency at Howard University, is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, and was named one of Los Angeles' Top Orthodontists in 2025. Just as important for parents: she won't recommend treatment that isn't needed yet. If the right call is to wait and watch your teen's growth, that's what she'll tell you — the complimentary consultation is a pressure-free way to find out exactly where things stand.
What teen treatment costs — and how families pay
Let's be honest — cost is usually the real question underneath the others. We don't quote a number online because it depends on your teen's case, but you'll leave the consultation with a written fee quote and no surprises. It costs nothing to find out.
We accept most major PPO plans and verify your orthodontic benefits for you before treatment starts — many plans carry a lifetime orthodontic benefit separate from regular dental coverage, though the specifics vary by plan. For the rest, we offer interest-free in-house payment plans and work with CareCredit for longer terms (subject to credit approval). Full details live on our financing & insurance page, and our team walks families through the options at the consultation.
FAQ
What teens (and parents of teens) ask us
Will my friends notice my braces?
Pitts21 PRO is dramatically less noticeable than the traditional metal braces of a decade ago. Spark aligners are virtually invisible, most people don't notice them until they're told. We've had patients finish treatment without their friends even knowing.
Can I still play sports / play my instrument?
Yes to both. Pitts21 PRO's smooth design works well with mouthguards. Spark aligners come out for games and come right back in. Wind instrument players adapt within days.
How long will I be in treatment?
Most teen treatment runs 12-18 months. We can give you a personalized timeline at your consultation based on your specific case.
What if I lose my aligners?
With Spark, replacement trays are part of the process. We handle it. Most teens get the hang of the routine within weeks.
Will it hurt?
There's some pressure for the first few days after appliances are placed or aligners are switched, but most patients describe it as "weird, then fine." No painful tightening like older braces.
What to expect
Your complimentary consultation includes:
- Digital scans, photos, and X-rays
- A treatment recommendation Dr. Thompson explains to both teen and parent
- Written fee quote
- Insurance benefits verified for you
- Clear answers to whatever questions your teen has
If you decide to move forward, we schedule the records appointment and start treatment within a few weeks.
Patient voices
Real teens, real results
★★★★★ Google
I highly recommend SmileHaus! The team is professional, welcoming, and always makes sure you're comfortable and informed. The office is clean, organized, and appointments are always on time. I'm so happy with my results, my smile has never looked better. If you want great care and amazing results, this is the place to go!
★★★★★ Yelp
About a year ago I was running around the neighborhood and saw a sign for this business. Since I walked in I was greeted with nothing but smiles. Now, I'm happy to say my braces are off and I'm happy with the results. Not only do you get an even more awesome smile you get points for brushing your teeth, no broken brackets, etc. After all these points are accumulated you even get a chance to receive a gift card :) oh, how can I forget I even got a goody bag. Legit goody bag. Thank you smilehaus staff.
Why SmileHaus for teens
- Dr. Thompson treats teens like the adults they're becoming, she explains the case directly to your teen, not over their head
- Both Pitts21 PRO and Spark on offer, most practices push the treatment they're best at; we recommend the right one for your case
- Quick check-in appointments, every 8-10 weeks, designed around school schedules
- Saturday appointments available, for sports/activities schedules
- No surprises, written fee quotes, clear timeline, honest conversation about what's needed
Take the next step
Whatever brought you here, your teen's first visit answers the questions that matter. Your complimentary consultation is exactly that — complimentary. No commitment, no pressure, just clarity on what's possible.