Orthodontics in Thousand Oaks
Straight teeth are about more than appearance. When teeth overlap, crowd together, or leave gaps, they can be harder to brush and floss thoroughly, and an uneven bite can place extra stress on certain teeth. At 805 Dentistry, we provide general orthodontics for children and adults in Thousand Oaks. Your orthodontic care happens in the same office where your family already receives cleanings, exams, and other dental treatment.
Our orthodontic care is offered as General orthodontics. That means it is provided within our general, family, and cosmetic dental practice, led by Dr. Dar Radfar, DDS. It is not a separate specialty office. We also file orthodontic insurance claims as a General Practitioner, and that can matter when you are working out how your plan applies.
For many Thousand Oaks families, the biggest advantage is continuity. The team that tracks your child's dental development during routine visits can also talk with you about alignment. Adults can coordinate orthodontic treatment with fillings, crowns, whitening, or other care without coordinating schedules between multiple offices. We think of ourselves as a one-stop shop for the whole family's dental care, and orthodontics fits naturally into that approach.
We offer two main ways to straighten teeth: traditional metal braces and clear aligners, including Invisalign. Braces use brackets and wires that the dentist adjusts over time to move teeth gradually into new positions. Because they stay on the teeth throughout treatment, they do not depend on a patient remembering to wear them.
Clear aligners are a series of removable, transparent trays. Each tray shifts the teeth a small amount before you switch to the next one in the series. Many adults and older teens like aligners because they are discreet and come out for eating and brushing. They do require consistent daily wear to work as planned. During your consultation, we'll explain which option suits your teeth, your habits, and your goals.
Who is a good candidate for orthodontic treatment?
Both children and adults can be good candidates, and we treat patients of all ages. People come to us for many reasons, including crowded or crooked teeth, spacing between teeth, and bite concerns they would like to have evaluated.
We also welcome orthodontic transfer patients. If you began treatment with another provider and have since moved to Thousand Oaks or a nearby community, we can review where you are and discuss continuing your care with us. And if you finished treatment elsewhere and need a replacement or new retainer, we provide retainers for patients treated elsewhere, too.
What happens during the orthodontic process?
The process starts with a consultation and exam, where we look closely at your teeth and bite and talk through your concerns. From there, we'll explain your options, what each one involves, and what to expect along the way.
Here is a general picture of what treatment includes:
- An initial evaluation of your teeth, bite, and overall oral health
- A discussion of braces versus clear aligners and which suits your needs
- Placement of braces or delivery of your first set of aligners
- Regular follow-up visits to monitor progress and make adjustments
- Transition to a retainer once active treatment is complete
Because we also provide preventive and restorative care, we can keep an eye on your overall dental health throughout treatment. That is especially helpful, because keeping teeth clean around braces takes extra attention.
How do I care for my teeth during and after treatment?
Careful daily hygiene and consistent follow-through are the keys to good aftercare. With braces, that means brushing and flossing thoroughly around brackets and wires, where food and plaque tend to collect. With aligners, it means wearing your trays as directed, cleaning them regularly, and brushing before putting them back in.
Once active treatment ends, a retainer helps hold your teeth in their new positions. We'll explain how and when to wear it. Routine cleanings and exams at our Thousand Oaks office remain an important part of protecting your results and your overall oral health.
How can I pay for orthodontics?
We make payment as straightforward as possible. We accept all major PPO insurance plans and welcome self-pay patients. Financing is also available to help spread the cost of treatment over time.
Since we file orthodontic claims as a General Practitioner, we recommend checking with your insurance provider about your specific orthodontic benefits. Our team is happy to answer questions and review your options with you before treatment begins, so you know what to expect.
Patients from Thousand Oaks and nearby communities such as Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Moorpark, and Simi Valley choose us for orthodontic care alongside their family's everyday dental needs. If you or your child has been thinking about straighter teeth, we'd be glad to meet with you and talk through the options.